Music, Music Therapy

The Ph.D. in Music Therapy emphasizes research and scholarship, as appropriate for the music therapist who aspires to a career in research, college-level teaching, or advanced clinical practice. In this program, students engage in coursework that advances scholarship and helps to reach professional goals. Students are involved in groundbreaking research, with the opportunity to develop original research in an area of interest.

The degree is focused on three core areas:

• Research Core: Engages in coursework and collaborative research projects that are focused on advancing research skills. Opportunity to pursue original research.
• Music Therapy Clinical Practice Core: Further understanding of advanced clinical competencies, with an emphasis in evidence-based practices.
• Academic Core: In order to prepare for a future as an educator or supervisor in music therapy, Students engage in coursework focused on teaching and learning in higher education.

Credit Requirements

The Ph.D. in Music Therapy is comprised of 72 credits, of which 30 credits may be accepted from a prior master's degree. Program credits include: 

• 12-15 credits in each core area (research, clinical practice, academic) that are selected to prepare the student for future work in an academic, research, or advanced clinical position.
• 15 directed electives, which are selected with the graduate committee to best meet the student's needs and career goals. Subjects of study may include, but are not limited to, neuroscience, music therapy methods, research methods, statistics, teaching methods, and developmental science.
• The program culminates with a final exam and completion of a substantial piece of original research.

GRE/GMAT Scores

Contact the academic department to verify whether the GRE/GMAT is required. For program contact information, please visit our program pages. The GRE department code can be found at www.ets.org.

Official Transcripts/Credential & Certified Translations

Official transcripts or mark sheets and any certificates, diplomas, or degrees from each college or university attended is required regardless of the length of attendance, including courses in progress. Final records will be required upon completion of the course or degree. ALL records submitted must be in the native language; any credentials written in languages other than English MUST be accompanied by a certified English translation (Colorado State University transcripts are not required). Official documents must be sent through a certified, secure document service, or through the postal mail, directly from your school to CSU. Transcripts and diplomas sent through email are not considered official documents. International students, please use the Guide to Comparable Degrees for graduate study.

Official transcripts and credentials, such as degree certificates, are issued directly by the granting institution where the coursework was completed or the degree was earned (with original seals, stamps, and/or signatures). Officially certified transcripts or degree certificates can be hard-copy photocopies of the original document provided by the issuing institution, the U.S. Consulate’s Education/Culture Departments (or representatives), or by limited U.S. sponsoring agencies (such as Fulbright, IREX, etc.). Notarized copies of transcripts/credentials are not accepted in lieu of official or officially certified documents.

Official transcripts and credentials, such as degree certificates, are issued directly by the granting institution where the coursework was completed, or the degree was earned with original seals, stamps, and/or signatures. Officially certified transcripts or degree certificates can be hard-copy photocopies of the original document provided by the issuing institution, the U.S. Consolate’s Education/Culture Departments (or representatives), or by limited U.S. sponsoring agencies (such as Fulbright, IREX, etc.). Notarized copies of transcripts/credentials are not accepted in leu of official or officially certified documents.

Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required from previous instructors or employers who are able to comment on your abilities and potential for graduate study. You may provide contact information for up to five (5) recommenders. There is no standardized format unless specified by the academic department. Your recommenders will be notified and prompted to supply a recommendation letter through the system. Academic references should be prepared to discuss your academic knowledge and skills, aptitude for graduate study, ability for independent research, and classroom performance related to characteristics such as integrity, leadership, problem solving, and teamwork. Choosing an individual as a reference who has an impressive title but cannot discuss the aforementioned qualities will not result in an informative letter of recommendation that supports your admission. Writing any portion of the recommendations yourself, either in whole or in part, may result in rejection or dismissal.

When applying using the online application system, most documents are uploaded directly by the applicant. For documents that cannot be submitted through the application system, such as official transcripts and test scores, request the documents be sent to the Office of Admissions:

Send official electronic test scores using code 4075.

Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062