Master of Creative Music Therapy

About

This program is one of two accredited music therapy programs in Australia, which allows applicants to be a registered music therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

Learn how to use music therapeutically through improvising, composing and arranging, to meet the needs of individuals and groups, as you develop your deep awareness and understanding of music. Work in external music therapy placements with people at all stages of life, from early childhood settings, palliative care and rehabilitation environments – all under the professional supervision of registered music therapists.

The program includes study of the history and professional development of music therapy, the various methodologies and theoretical constructs behind clinical work being carried out in more than 40 countries. The focus is on a deep, formal understanding of clinical and human issues that confront clinicians working in the community, as well as ethical and professional responsibilities.

In addition to clinical placements, students will be engaged with reflective practice and critical thinking process through research.

Admission criteria

• undergraduate degree, or higher, in music, creative arts, education, allied health, social science, health science or humanities

Submit a 500-word statement explaining the reasons they are seeking entry to the program and why they want to become a music therapist.

Submit a brief curriculum vitae/resume (no more than 2 pages).

Upload your CV and statement as a PDF within the UAC application as soon as possible after applying through UAC and at the latest by the final UAC closing date.

Applicants who meet the admission requirements will be considered for the audition/interview and contacted by the Academic Program Advisor if considered suitable to progress to this next stage of the process.

Audition/Interview

Applicants invited to attend an audition/interview will need to demonstrate their music skills at the audition/interview:
- at an advanced level on any instrument, and
- at a competent level on guitar, piano and voice.Please note that the ‘advanced’ instrument may also be guitar, piano or voice.

The audition/interview may include a combination of video upload submissions and real-time music demonstrations as indicated on the ‘MCMT Applicant Info Page’ provided at the time of application.

During the audition/interview applicants may be asked to:

1. Describe their previous relevant training/experience, and interest in becoming a music therapist
2. Perform one piece on their primary instrument/voice at an advanced performance level
3. Play and sing a piece potentially suitable for use in music therapy utilising the guitar and voice simultaneously (as best able given their current level of training/experience)
4. Play and sing a piece potentially suitable for use in music therapy utilising the piano/keyboard and voice simultaneously (as best able given their current level of training/experience)
5. Explain their choice of pieces and why they are potentially suitable for use in music therapy
6. Create/improvise music using simple creative musical ideas or subjects/themes as requested by the panel during the audition/interview (as best able given their current level of training/experience).

Fees and charges

^ Limited CSP for 2024. Call Western Sydney University on 1300 897 669 for further information about tuition fees.

Australian Government financial assistance

Western Sydney University scholarships and financial assistance

Equity Scholarships through UAC

Further information

Read the full course details on the Western Sydney University website.

Find out more about postgraduate study at Western.

Contact the Course Information Centre on 1300 897 669 if you have any queries.