Coursework

Master of Music Therapy

  • CRICOS code: 055550D

Course overview

  • 2 years full time / 4 years part time
  • Mixed Attendance Mode (Southbank)
  • Available to domestic and international students
  • Start Year Intake - February

Overview

The Master of Music Therapy provides a course of study for those wishing to practice as music therapists in settings such as hospitals, special schools, aged care facilities, community health programs and private practice.

The two-year program provides advanced knowledge of the theory, practice and research of music therapy. You will learn traditional and ground-breaking theoretical approaches to practice with people across the life span, from preschool aged children through to older adults, with Music Therapy Methods classes covering voice and guitar skills, improvisation, songs and performances with dyads and groups, as well as receptive music therapy. A major component of the course consists of four clinical training placements supervised by qualified music therapists in settings such as hospitals, schools, residential care and the community.

On satisfactory completion of the Master of Music Therapy, graduates will be eligible for Registration as Music Therapists (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association (Inc.).

The Master of Music Therapy is available in two cohorts:

  • Melbourne based students a combination of on-campus and online subjects; or
  • Interstate or regional students a combination of online and on-campus intensives in Melbourne.

Melbourne-based students

Taught via a combination of online lectures, on-campus tutorials and online tutorials for students who live in the Melbourne area. You will also participate regularly in placements, amounting to a minimum of 640 hours across the two years.

The weekly timetable and dates of intensive learning days will be confirmed by December of the preceding year.

Interstate or regional students

Taught via a combination of online lectures, online tutorials and on-campus intensive learning periods for students living Interstate or in regional areas, where approved work placement arrangements are available. Music therapy skills subjects and tutorials are workshop based, and so attendance at the intensive learning days is essential. You will also participate regularly in work placements, amounting to a minimum of 640 hours across the two years. Placement will be carried out in your home state where suitable supervision from a qualified Music Therapist is available.

The weekly timetable and dates of intensive learning days will be confirmed by December of the preceding year.

The Placement Coordinator will organise placements in a range of areas to provide students with a broad experience. Every effort will be made to arrange placements in your region; however, in some cases this may prove impossible. In this case, placements based in another city may be an alternative, with the cost of travel and accommodation covered by the student.

For students living in QLD, please note that the University’s placement agreement with Queensland Health will be due for renewal in 2025. Therefore, we cannot guarantee placements with QLD Health beyond 2024. Further information will be provided during the audition.

Who is this course for?

The Master of Music Therapy has been developed specifically for people who have completed a Bachelor's degree and have a high level of formal music training.