Bachelor of Arts: Music Therapy

University Requirements

General Education

UMKC Essentials is the university-wide curriculum that all undergraduate students will complete. The 30-credit hour program includes a First Year Experience course; three critical thinking courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences; a Culture and Diversity course; a Civic & Urban Engagement course; two courses in Written Composition and one course in Oral Communication; and a Math Pathway course. Transfer students entering UMKC will elect from the UMKC Essentials General Education Program or the Missouri Core 42 General Education Curriculum.  Academic advisors will meet with incoming transfer students to determine which option best serves the student’s educational needs. More information about General Education may be found here: https://catalog.umkc.edu/undergraduate-academic-regulations-information/general-education-requirements/

Constitution Course 

Every undergraduate student must take a course covering the United States Constitution and the Missouri State Constitution before graduation. Course options are included in the program requirements section below.

Exit Examinations

Information on exit examinations is available in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Information section of the catalog.

Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination

In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 807 (section 170.013.1), 'any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution'.  To satisfy this requirement at UMKC, students access the exam through the Canvas site. This requirement will be listed in the degree audit system as, 'Take State Mandated Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination', and listed on the transcript as 'Missouri Civics Examination'.   

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

  • Be able to play and accompany self, using multiple keys and accompaniment patterns on the guitar and piano while singing in a pleasing tone quality.
  • Lead and interact with others in a manner that engages them in the music-based therapy experience.
  • Be able to sight read simple songs using voice, guitar and piano.
  • From a listening experience, transcribe and create a simple, yet complementary harmonic accompaniment pattern to an unfamiliar musical recording of contemporary music.
  • Describe the music therapy treatment process for various populations served by music therapists.
  • Demonstrate professional business and advocacy skills.

Additional Admission Criteria

  1. Students should be able to qualify for Applied Lessons, for two hours of credit in their major performance area.
  2. Emotional stability and good physical stamina are also essential for a music therapist.
  3. Applicants are required to complete an interview with a music therapy faculty member prior to admission.

Licensure

Graduates may apply for membership by contacting the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).  For Board Certification, graduates may contact the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT).  All coursework must be completed before beginning CONSVTY 410. Therapy students are required to enroll in a professional liability insurance program.

Program Requirements

UMKC Essentials

First Semester Experience Course (GEFSE)3
Written Communication:
ENGLISH 110Introduction to Academic Prose3
ENGLISH 225English II: Intermediate Academic Prose3
Oral Communication (choose one of the following):3
Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening
Introduction to Communication
Argumentation And Debate
Interpersonal Communication
Math Pathway (choose one of the following):3
Mathematics For Liberal Arts
Statistical Reasoning
Precalculus Algebra
Precalculus
Any 200-level MATH or STAT course
ACT Math Sub-score of 28 or higher; or SAT Math Sub-score of 660 or higher
Critical Thinking in Arts & Humanities (GECRT-AH; Satisfied in program requirements below)
Critical Thinking in Natural & Physical Sciences (GECRT-SC)3
Critical Thinking in Social & Behavioral Sciences (GECRT-SS)3
Culture & Diversity Course (GECDV)3
Civic & Urban Engagement Course (GECUE)3
Total Credits27

Constitution Course Requirement

Section 170.011.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, 2015, states that all candidates for a degree issued by a college or university in the state of Missouri must have “satisfactorily passed an examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri, and in American history and American institutions.” 

Courses at UMKC that satisfy this state requirement are:

Choose one of the following:3
The Supreme Court And The Criminal Process
U.S. History to 1877
U.S. History Since 1877
Honors American Government
American Government
Total Credits3

There are a few other ways this requirement can be satisfied for students transferring to UMKC:

  • Take an equivalent course from the list above at a regionally accredited institution.
  • Earn credit for one of the above courses through AP, IB, or CLEP.
  • Take a course that directly satisfies the Missouri Constitution Requirement at another Missouri institution.
  • Have a previous bachelors degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Have an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Complete the 42 Hour Core at a Missouri institution and have it listed on the official transcript.

Major Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all major coursework.

CONSVTY 151 (MUSE; satisfies GECRT-AH course requirement)3
Keyboard Skills
CONSVTY 110Keyboard Skills I1
CONSVTY 123Keyboard Skills II1
CONSVTY 223Keyboard Skills III1
Applied Lessons and Studio 1
Instrument 101 or Instrument 101J (Freshman Instrument I)2
Instrument 102 or Instrument 102J (Freshman Instrument II)2
Instrument 201 or Instrument 201J (Sophomore Instrument I)2
Instrument 202 or Instrument 202J (Sophomore Instrument II)2
Instrument 300 or Instrument 300J (Studio-4 semesters)
Musicianship
CONSVTY 141Musicianship I4
CONSVTY 142Musicianship II4
CONSVTY 241Musicianship III4
CONSVTY 242Musicianship IV4
Music History and Literature
CONSVTY 350AStyles and Genres in Music3
CONSVTY 350BMethods in Musicology3
Technique
CONSVTY 315Music Therapy Piano Techniques1
CONSVTY 316Music Therapy Guitar Techniques2
CONSVTY 373GInstrumental Techniques Guitar1
CONSVTY 379AMusic Therapy Clinical Applications - Group Leading Techniques2
CONSVTY 379BMusic Therapy Clinical Applications - Music Therapy Interventions2
CONSVTY 379CMusic Therapy Clinical Applications: Music Therapy Singing Techniques1
CONSVTY 379DMusic Therapy Clinical Applications - Music Therapy Repertoire1
Ensemble (4 semesters from the following)4
Jazz Band
Jazz Orchestra
Orchestra
Conservatory Wind Ensemble
UMKC Choral Union
Wind Symphony
Conservatory Singers
Conservatory Concert Choir
Clinical Foundations
Music Therapy
CONSVTY 138Music Therapy Foundations2
CONSVTY 317Music Therapy Improvisation3
CONSVTY 344Anatomy for Music Therapy Practice2
CONSVTY 395Clinical Foundations I3
CONSVTY 396Clinical Foundations II3
CONSVTY 410Internship1
CONSVTY 410AAdvanced Music Therapy Principles and Applications3
CONSVTY 407AMusic Therapy Principles and Applications3
CONSVTY 435Psychological Foundations of Music3
PSYCH 210General Psychology3
Electives
Electives (Psychology or counseling)9
Electives (Non-music)6
Total Credits91

Minimum GPA: 2.0

Total Credit Hours: 121

Tools for Planning and Fulfilling Academic Requirements

UMKC's Major Maps are detailed, semester by semester plans that lead a student to complete all degree requirements within four years.  Plans include benchmarks and critical courses by term that assist a student’s evaluation of progress and major “fit”.  In order to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken, students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor for this major. Please see the tab above to view the major map for this program.

UMKC’s Transfer Guides provide detailed guidance on recommended transfer coursework, plans of study, transfer timelines, and transfer contact information. To ensure a seamless transfer experience, students are encouraged to work with both their community college advisor and a UMKC advisor when planning their coursework.

UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Audit’ degree audit system provides an individual evaluation of all degree requirements (General Education, Degree Specific, Major Specific, etc.) for students' officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study.  This evaluation is used to certify all graduation requirements.

UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Plans’ degree planning tool enables students to develop a personalized semester by semester plan of study towards completion of degree requirements for student’s officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. Update and edit your full plan to degree completion each term and confirm accuracy each semester with your Academic Advisor(s).