Master of Music (MMus) Applied Music & Health
Overview
What to expect
The Master of Music in Applied Music and Health allows students the unique opportunity to enhance their professional-level music performance skills while training in applications of applied music neuroscience. Through applied music lessons (in piano, guitar, and voice), classroom learning, clinical research projects and practicums, students learn skills to work in a diverse range of clinical and pedagogical contexts.
Why it stands out
The program delivers practical training and experience grounded in the scientifically rigorous study of applied music neuroscience and the clinical translation. Students train in the Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™) System of Techniques, a standardized evidence-based clinical treatment system which targets specific functional behaviours through structured music-based exercises that exemplify how music can be integrated into intervention practices.
Who it's for
Ideal candidates for this program come from a variety of bachelor degrees in music (e.g., music performance, music therapy, music education, musicology, theory, and composition) and demonstrate interest in applying clinical performance practices to promote and support the development, maintenance, and recovery of healthy brain and behaviour functions across the age spectrum.
Outcomes
Opportunities for study
The program is approved by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) and the course curriculum along with a 1000 hour internship meet the qualifications for students to write the music therapy board certification exam. Additionally, students qualify to complete the International Training Institute in NMT™ and attain the Neurologic Music Therapy® License and Professional Affiliation, joining a distinguished group of practicing Neurologic Music Therapy® professionals around the world.
Opportunities after graduation
Graduates have built careers as music therapists, studio teachers, and music educators with a unique knowledge and advanced expertise to work with a variety of neurological populations such as autism, developmental disorders, and acquired brain injury.
Postgraduate studies
The program qualifies research-oriented graduates to apply for entry into the doctoral program for Music and Health Sciences.
Curriculum
MMus in Applied Music & Health
- Clinical Performance Pedagogy
- Advanced Music Skills for Clinical Practice
- Music and Health Care Seminars
- Neurosciences of Music: Scientific Foundations and Clinical Translation
- Clinical and Research Practicums
Core Courses
Required courses (the equivalent of eight full-year courses) make up the bulk of the program. After an introduction to music in healthcare, students conduct in-depth investigations of various topics in music and health in seminar settings. They also study elementary improvisation methods, music psychology, music neuroscience, and clinical performance pedagogy. They gain hands-on experience in practicums addressing clinical performance and clinical research, and they consolidate their learning with an independent performance project and a public capstone presentation.
Electives
With faculty approval, students may choose from electives (the equivalent of one full-year course), including a counselling course and a research course.
Complete admission requirements can be found at Application Materials.
Complete information on how to apply can be found at Applying.
Have a question?
We bring together the brightest researchers, educators, creators and performers. We welcome you to join us.
