Belmont University adding a Music Therapy Degree Program

I get contacted by several students a week asking about how to pursue a degree in Music Therapy. After the degree program at Tennessee Technological University ended students haven’t had an opportunity to attend a Tennessee college. Starting in the fall of 2014, Belmont is adding music therapy as a new degree offered!

According to Dr. Madeline Bridges, the Associate Dean for Academic Studies, “a major in music therapy has been a dream for our School of Music faculty for a decade, particularly with our focus on education and nurturing through the arts. Add in the healthcare opportunities present in Nashville and the region, and this new program is a perfect fit for Belmont and the broader community.”

Belmont’s website states that the music therapy program is the only one of its kind in the state and will be very rigorous. Students will need a total of 136 hours including the required 41 BELL Core general education hours, 79 music hours, 20 hours of music therapy courses and an additional 13 clinical foundations courses. In addition, the program will require a six-month internship, often outside of Nashville. Once complete, the degree will qualify graduates to sit for the board certification exam.

I am thrilled to see this change for my home state. I look forward to getting to know all of the new therapists this degree program will bring the great state of Tennessee!