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Accreditation

The Master of Creative Music Therapy is accredited with the Australian Music Therapy Association Inc. (AMTA). Graduates of the course are eligible to apply for Registration (RMT) with the AMTA which qualifies them to practice professionally. The course, therefore, is subject to accreditation and validation by the AMTA, which is undertaken every five years.

Admission

Applications for the course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Further information on postgraduate courses is available on the Local Admissions section of the UWS website. Entry requirements also include an interview/audition.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points including the units listed below.

Students enrol in the units shown in either Group 1 or 2, depending upon which group of units is being offered in the (current) year. Each group of units will be offered on a rotating two-year cycle to ensure all students receive equal opportunity to complete the required 120 credit points in the recommended timeframe. Intending applicants should check with the Head of Program or the Course Advisor prior to commencement if they have any queries regarding the cycle of unit offerings.

Group 1

Autumn session Year 1

Music Therapy Skills 1

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101445.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION.Through a combination of music skills workshop and clinical placement, the unit opens up an exploration of improvisation, instrumental playing, repertoire, song writing, voice work and composition as techniques for music therapy. Listening techniques and the effects of music on human physiology and psychology are explored. Videos of case studies are played to illustrate clinical work. The placement introduces students to the practice of music therapy through observation and work with a registered music therapist (RMT).

Music Therapy Method

Music Therapy Method provides a background to the historical development and theoretical underpinnings of music therapy worldwide with an emphasis on Creative Music Therapy. Government legislation and social attitudes that impinge on the delivery of music therapy to the community are discussed. The Constitution and Code of Ethics of the AMTA are outlined. Normal human development through the lifespan is looked at in depth paralleled with studies on developmental disabilities and other disorders. Culture, gender, race, religion and socio-economics are examined within the context of understanding the place of music therapy in society. Counselling and music therapy is introduced. Aspects of self-care for music therapy practitioners and students are addressed.

Spring session Year 1

Music Therapy Theory and Practice 1

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 100912.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. This unit examines contemporary psychological theories with the specific focus on their implications for Creative Music Therapy. Students receive an introduction to psychotherapy, music psychology, and explore the fundamental tenets of research plus writing for clinical purposes. Emphasis in placed on skill mastery and the ability of students to draw on concurrent clinical placement for musical material relating to work with clients with diverse needs in different clinical situations.

Creative Music Therapy Practicum 1

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101443.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. This unit focuses on the clinical practice of Creative Music Therapy. Students apply their coursework studies to music therapy practice through working, under supervision, with adults or children with disabilities or in other areas of clinical work deemed suitable. In addition, practical applications of various music therapy techniques are taught. Students are required to critically reflect on the clinical experience.

Autumn Session Year 2

Music Therapy Skills 2

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101446.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. Through a combination of music therapy skill development and clinical placement, this unit engages students in the study of improvisation, instrumental playing, repertoire, song writing, voice work and composition illustrated with advanced case material. The clinical placement introduces students to the practice of music therapy with younger clients, observing and working with a Registered Music Therapist (RMT).

Music Therapy Professional Practice

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 100911.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION.This unit provides students with professional skills in academic, clinical and report writing plus professional presentation skills. Students are also introduced to receptive methods of music therapy professional practice as well as being given a background to professional research and research writing in preparation for the in-depth research studies. Aspects of self-care for music therapy practitioners and students are addressed.

Spring Session Year 2

Music Therapy Theory and Practice 2

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 100914.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. The unit continues the skill mastery and the ability of students to draw on concurrent clinical work with adult clients in different clinical situations including psychiatry, palliative care and aged care. Research methodologies relevant to these particular clinical areas are introduced. Explored are also theories of stress, grief and loss.

Creative Music Therapy Practicum 2

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101444.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. In this unit, students on placement provide music therapy to adults in aged care or in a psychiatric setting, or any other population group deemed appropriate. A student may work alone but will receive in-depth supervision from an RMT. Students are expected to work effectively and independently within a multidisciplinary team.

Group 2

Autumn session Year 1

Music Therapy Skills 2

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101446.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. Through a combination of music therapy skill development and clinical placement, this unit engages students in the study of improvisation, instrumental playing, repertoire, song writing, voice work and composition illustrated with advanced case material. The clinical placement introduces students to the practice of music therapy with younger clients, observing and working with a Registered Music Therapist (RMT).

Music Therapy Professional Practice

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 100911.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION.This unit provides students with professional skills in academic, clinical and report writing plus professional presentation skills. Students are also introduced to receptive methods of music therapy professional practice as well as being given a background to professional research and research writing in preparation for the in-depth research studies. Aspects of self-care for music therapy practitioners and students are addressed.

Spring session Year 1

Music Therapy Theory and Practice 2

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 100914.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. The unit continues the skill mastery and the ability of students to draw on concurrent clinical work with adult clients in different clinical situations including psychiatry, palliative care and aged care. Research methodologies relevant to these particular clinical areas are introduced. Explored are also theories of stress, grief and loss.

Creative Music Therapy Practicum 2

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101444.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. In this unit, students on placement provide music therapy to adults in aged care or in a psychiatric setting, or any other population group deemed appropriate. A student may work alone but will receive in-depth supervision from an RMT. Students are expected to work effectively and independently within a multidisciplinary team.

Autumn Session Year 2

Music Therapy Skills 1

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101445.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION.Through a combination of music skills workshop and clinical placement, the unit opens up an exploration of improvisation, instrumental playing, repertoire, song writing, voice work and composition as techniques for music therapy. Listening techniques and the effects of music on human physiology and psychology are explored. Videos of case studies are played to illustrate clinical work. The placement introduces students to the practice of music therapy through observation and work with a registered music therapist (RMT).

Music Therapy Method

Music Therapy Method provides a background to the historical development and theoretical underpinnings of music therapy worldwide with an emphasis on Creative Music Therapy. Government legislation and social attitudes that impinge on the delivery of music therapy to the community are discussed. The Constitution and Code of Ethics of the AMTA are outlined. Normal human development through the lifespan is looked at in depth paralleled with studies on developmental disabilities and other disorders. Culture, gender, race, religion and socio-economics are examined within the context of understanding the place of music therapy in society. Counselling and music therapy is introduced. Aspects of self-care for music therapy practitioners and students are addressed.

Spring Session Year 2

Music Therapy Theory and Practice 1

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 100912.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. This unit examines contemporary psychological theories with the specific focus on their implications for Creative Music Therapy. Students receive an introduction to psychotherapy, music psychology, and explore the fundamental tenets of research plus writing for clinical purposes. Emphasis in placed on skill mastery and the ability of students to draw on concurrent clinical placement for musical material relating to work with clients with diverse needs in different clinical situations.

Creative Music Therapy Practicum 1

THIS VERSION OF THE UNIT WILL COMMENCE IN 2009. PLEASE SEE 101443.1 FOR CURRENT VERSION. This unit focuses on the clinical practice of Creative Music Therapy. Students apply their coursework studies to music therapy practice through working, under supervision, with adults or children with disabilities or in other areas of clinical work deemed suitable. In addition, practical applications of various music therapy techniques are taught. Students are required to critically reflect on the clinical experience.

Master of Creative Music Therapy

The course is offered by the School of Communication Arts at UWS in partnership with Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Australia Ltd. This course provides an excellent opportunity for graduates to enter the field of music therapy. The course assumes an appropriate level of musical competency and experience when the student is admitted, and seeks to build on this in developing music therapy practitioners. The aim of the course is to train musicians in the specialisation of Creative Music Therapy.

Duration

Two years full-time

Location

Penrith

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points.

Professional Recognition

The Master of Creative Music Therapy is accredited with the Australian Music Therapy Association Inc. (AMTA). Graduates of the course are eligible to apply for Registration (RMT) with the AMTA which qualifies them to practice professionally. The course, therefore, is subject to accreditation and validation by the AMTA, which is undertaken every five years.

How to Apply

All domestic applications for entry to UWS postgraduate courses must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Step by step instructions are available on on How to Apply pages.

Admission Requirements

Applications for the course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Further information on postgraduate courses is available on the Local Admissions section of the UWS website. Entry requirements also include an interview/audition.

  • Candidates must have a relevant Australian Bachelor's degree or recognised overseas equivalent;
  • International applicants who are unable to attend the audition are required to submit a DVD and a written essay. For details please contact the course advisor, Dr Alan Lem.
  • All candidates must have a high degree of practical musicianship, to be demonstrated during the interview/audition process. For further information, contact the course advisor, Dr Alan Lem.
  • Audition procedures

Recognition of Prior Learning

As all units in the Master of Creative Music Therapy have a professional focus, it is presumed that advanced standing will not be given for previous study. Requests for exceptions to this will be considered by the Course Adviser.

Graduates of other institutions can apply for credit for individual units according to UWS Policy and Procedures on advanced standing and Recognition of Prior Learning.

Do you need more information?

Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form

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