Music Therapy Program

Music Therapy General Information

The music therapy program was established in 1980. This is the only music therapy program in the state of Oklahoma. Students may pursue either Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy or Equivalency/Registration in Music Therapy at SWOSU, both will satisfy the required eligibility for taking the National Certification Examination for Music Therapists for the credential of Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).

To complete the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, freshman and transfer students with keyboard/voice or instrumental emphases must fulfill the requirements of the degree in General Education, fundamental music, and music therapy core curriculum.

Equivalency/Registration in Music Therapy provides those holding Bachelor's degree in (especially) Music Education the opportunity to fulfill the music therapy competence requirement of the American Music Therapy Association.

Graduation will be only granted to the students completing the required coursework and an approximately 1040-hour internship, which makes one eligible for the Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists. MT-BC is the primary recognized music therapy professional credential in the U.S. Statistically, SWOSU graduates who took the Board Certification Exam have had 100% pass rate for the past several years!

Admissions

The SWOSU Admission Packet may be obtained online.

Students applying for music therapy, in addition, may be eligible for Music Performance Scholarships, determined by auditions. Contact the Music Office at 580.774.3708 for an audition date.

Please submit the request form for materials to be mailed to you. You may also contact the Director of Music Therapy, ChihChen Sophia Lee, Ph.D., MT-BC, for concerns related to the SWOSU music therapy program. Please allow enough time for your application to be received by March 1 of each year for the consideration of any scholarship.

Scholarships / Job Opportunities

SCHOLARSHIPS

• NFMC Scholarships for MT Students
• AMBUCS Scholarships for Therapists
• Tylenol Scholarships for Students in Health-Related Fields
• Other student professional scholarships are available at AMTA Member only Area.

INTERNSHIPS

• University-Affiliated Internship Sites and Clinical Training Directors:
  • Northern Oklahoma Resource Center, Enid, OK; Elizabeth Allen, MT-BC; Elizabeth.Allen@okdhs.org, 580.548-2634
  • The Children’s Center of Bethany, OK: Rachel Nowels, MT-BC, rnowels@tccokc.org; (405) 470-2243
  • Integris Bass Healthcare System of Enid/Rise School & Headstart of Stillwater: Robbin Buford, MT, BUFORX@Integris-Health.com, 580.213-3458
  • Dimensions Academy of Norman, Susan Claeys, MME, MT-BC; sclaeys@norman.k12.ok.us, (405) 579-1880
• Upcoming Internship Opportunities at AMTA
• AMTA-Approved Internship Sites - National Roster

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Friendship Ventures: Check Web site for more details
• AMTA Job Opportunities (Members Only)
• SWAMTA Job Opportunities (Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico)

Established in 1901, SWOSU is located in Weatherford, Oklahoma (just 60 some miles west of Oklahoma City). Southwestern Oklahoma State University offers affordable and reputable graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and on-campus (locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon).

Today SWOSU educates more than 5,000 students a semester and employs more than 200 dedicated faculty and staff. We hold more than 1,000 classes a semester, have 14 nationally accredited programs, and are nationally recognized for our online programs.