Music Therapy Program Philosophy

Music therapy is an established, goal-directed healthcare profession that uses music and specially designed musical experiences to improve the quality of lives of children and adults with disabilities, illnesses or interest in meeting psychotherapeutic or personal wellness goals. Music therapy graduate students develop skills in working within an interdisciplinary team, writing and implementing clinical goals, and effectively communicating information regarding treatment plans and the profession. The Music Therapy department at Molloy University embodies a humanistic vision regarding the power of music to reach, support, heal, and enhance an individual's social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development and well-being.

The graduate program combines experiential learning in the classroom with supervised field experiences at healthcare and educational facilities mostly in the New York Metropolitan area. The coursework reflects the philosophy of the department in providing a broad range of study for the contemporary practitioner, including courses in music and medicine as well as vocal and verbal techniques, clinical improvisation, research, and music psychotherapy. Board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) studying in the graduate program will deepen their practice by identifying a specialization or a unique interest of study, such as Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, Guided Imagery and Music, or Analytical Music Therapy. The in-depth study of these areas of treatment and practice requires professionalism, musicianship, and emotional maturity. The graduate student is supported and closely monitored throughout the program with one-on-one supervision and advisement by faculty.

The full-time and adjunct faculty members of the Music Therapy graduate program are nationally and internationally recognized music therapists engaging in cutting edge research and practice. Graduate students will receive supervision by Board-Certified (MT-BC), Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCAT) at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, outpatient clinics, hospices, and psychiatric centers in the Long Island and New York City area. In addition, students will have opportunities to practice at the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy, Molloy University's on-campus music therapy clinic. This training will provide graduate students with clinical experience through observation, co-leading, leading, and documentation of music therapy sessions under the supervision and guidance of experienced Master's or Doctoral level music therapists.