Music Therapy - MA

The MA in Music Therapy is a two-year full-time programme of study which prepares graduates for professional practice as a music therapist. The course requires a high level of music skill at entry allowing students to make the transition to the use of these music skills in therapeutic work with a range of client groups in different contexts. Music skills on piano, guitar and vocals are emphasized throughout the course and students are also encouraged to develop skills on their primary instrument. Students attend clinical placements throughout each semester of the course; these are usually offered at various sites in Ireland but sometimes can be offered abroad. Music therapy theory, research skills, sensitivity to cross-cultural issues and the use of the self in relating to others form the basis of studies to prepare students for work in the clinical practice context.

Objectives:

• To prepare students for professional practice as a music therapist
• To develop socially aware graduates who are able to make a contribution to the developing profession of music therapy in Ireland
• To contribute to the research base of the profession

Frequently Asked Questions:

Thank you for your interest in the MA Music Therapy. Please find below answers to frequently asked questions that have arisen over the years since the course commenced.

What is the closing date for applications?

Applications for the MA Music Therapy are accepted on an ongoing basis all year. Applications for September entry open on October 1st of the previous year. We recommend applying by December of the previous academic year but continue to take applications year round. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year, normally from mid-October of the year prior to attendance. Places are filled as people apply, therefore you are encouraged to apply early. Shortlisting normally takes place in December, February and April with auditions/interviews normally held in January, March and May. We continue to accept applications until the programme starts in September but the course is often full by June of the year prior to commencement.

I have a very busy life, is there a way to do the course part-time?

The course is full-time for two years and 100% attendance is required. It is difficult to complete the course unless you are free to undertake it on a Monday to Friday basis.  However, many students juggle part-time work with study. The programme is offered on a blended delivery basis, meaning that it is offered through a mix of in-person and online classes. In year 1, this involves up to days per week on campus followed by 2 days per week online every fortnight. In year 2, students do one day on campus and one day online one week, followed by two days of online classes the following week, again alternating on a fortnightly basis. While classes are usually only two days per week, there is study to be undertaken each week including preparation for placement, practicing every day, researching for, and writing assignments. Placement takes place one day per week during semesters 2, 3 and 4. It is important to note, when planning, that there are 2 semesters each academic year, each lasting for 13 weeks and the rest of the year is available for other life demands.

I do not have a primary degree in music or psychology, can I still apply?

Anyone can apply for the course however, if you do not have a degree in music or psychology you will need to demonstrate relevant degree level qualifications (and these would be reviewed on a case by case basis) as well as exceptional activity in music including performing publicly and/or community music activities such as group leadership in music. Life experience, critical thinking, empathy and self-awareness are important areas that are evaluated during application review process. We encourage you to be thorough with the original application. Have you highlighted relevant experience? Have you indicated why you want to do the course such as an interest in working with those who are vulnerable or marginalized? Have you included information about the instruments you play and your musical experience? Please note that you only compete for a place in the year your application is made so it is not possible to give equivalence to people based on past reference points of successful applications. We strongly welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and life experience and several students have graduated successfully from non-traditional educational backgrounds.

I have not received formal qualifications in music, can I still apply?

We recognise that not all suitable candidates for this programme have a formal background in music education. Most applicants have an undergraduate degree, and mostly in music, but we have accepted applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines including carpentry and electronic engineering. Applicants with significant life experience and excellent music skills are welcome to apply. The university operates a route called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | University of Limerick (ul.ie) which accounts for equivalent relevant life experience. Please note that to be an MA Music Therapy student you need to have a high level of skill and creativity on your instrument, experience of working with vulnerable people and have engaged in self-development processes. If you have an excellent music knowledge base including the ability to read and write music, play by ear as well as pick up new music quickly and are sought out by people in your community to play music, then you are well prepared for the musical requirements of the programme. We do require proficiency on a harmony instrument, normally guitar or piano, and ideally both, as these are used regularly in music therapy practice in Ireland.

How many days a week am I expected to be in class and placement?

Each semester lasts 12 weeks.

In semester one students attend classes 2 days per week (weeks 1 to 12).

In semesters 2 and 3 students attend classes 2 days per week and complete placement one day per week.

In semester 4 students attend classes one day per week and placement 2 days per week.

Classes take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (this can be subject to change but is expected at the time of writing). Placement will take place on Monday, Thursday or Friday. Every effort is made to offer placements within your geographical area but this cannot be guaranteed and some travel may be required with at least one placement in Dublin over the course of the programme.

I do not have the funds to do the course, is there a scholarship for which I can apply?

There are currently no specific music therapy scholarships. You are advised to examine the scholarships page on the Irish World Academy web page and to investigate scholarships available to people in your country or county if you are in Ireland (most local students have success with VEC scholarships but please note there is no information available about this through the Irish World Academy and requests for this information will not be replied to; you must contact your local County office).

I would like to specialise in work with a particular population (such as hospice patients or children with autism) during the course, how do I organise that?

You cannot specialise in any particular work population or context during the course. The course has the responsibility to provide music therapy education to the standard of entry level to the profession. Specialist qualifications can be gained later either through professional experience or through further study. You are assigned placements each semester and you must do the placements you are assigned.

I would like to live at home while I am doing the course and not move to Limerick. Is it possible to guarantee that I have my placements in this location?

Many of our students commute to the University of Limerick for classes. While we cannot guarantee placement locations we make every attempt to ensure that placements are as convenient as possible. However students must be prepared to travel to placements. We match students with expert music therapists working in the field so we cannot always guarantee location. We encourage international applicants to this programme, with options to complete semester 1 and semester 4 in your home country.

What type of things can I do to do well at the audition/interview/assessment?

On receipt of the application, candidates are short-listed according to relevant experience and qualifications and if you are not short-listed for audition you will be advised soon after the closing date. All auditions/interview/assessments take place online comprising three sections.

Audition – you must prepare two pieces/songs to the best standard on your first instrument. You must also prepare two songs to sing and accompany yourself, one on guitar and one on piano as basic requirements of a music therapy trainee. Songs can be rock/folk/pop/religious song or any other type of song. You will also be asked to improvise a short piece of music. Successful applicants usually show musical abilities at a high level including demonstrating musical flexibility and engagement. Please note, no accompanist is provided for the audition. If you wish to bring an accompanist you can do so but you will need to cover any costs this incurs.

Interview – you will be interviewed on your previous relevant experience to this field of work. Can you provide examples of your experience of working with people who have additional needs? How did this work have an effect on you? Did you change any of your ideas about people with disabilities/diagnoses by the work you did? Applicants who do well here show that they care about the well-being of others and have had work or volunteer experience with those who have additional needs in the community.

Psychological assessment – we will also assess your capacity for future therapy work. You will be asked about your own life experience and background. Your maturity and ability to consider situations from a range of perspectives will be evaluated and your ability to self-care.

Do I really have to bring a song accompanied on both piano and guitar? I only play piano/guitar.

Yes. We are aware that many applicants may not play both instruments to a high standard, but basic proficiency in both instruments is required and deemed essential to music therapy practice. You will need to play one harmonic instrument extremely fluently and demonstrate basic understanding of one more. Successful candidates must also demonstrate the ability to accompany oneself while singing. This is because these are key skills in music therapy work with clients.  

What are the personal development requirements of the programme?

Students are required to attend a minimum of 30 psychotherapy sessions or a combination of 30 psychotherapy/creative arts therapy sessions over the duration of the programme. These costs are borne by the student. This is to develop the student’s understanding of the therapeutic process as well as to develop self-awareness and insight which is crucial to effective therapeutic practice.

I definitely know I want to be a music therapist but I don’t really know what it is or how music therapists work

Some of the ways you can find out more:

Read about music therapy at Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, American Music Therapy Association | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), and British Association for Music Therapy :: Home (bamt.org)

Check with the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists whether there are any seminars or open days coming up – www.iacat.ie

Check on the Irish World Academy Events page for any music therapy seminars and make sure you are on the email list for any future seminars – triona.mccaffrey@ul.ie or hilary.moss@ul.ie

Find out where the music therapy conferences are in your region.

Visit or meet music therapists working in your area.

Does this qualification allow me to work in other countries?

Most countries have their own regulations which are required to practice as a music therapist. The qualification provided through the University of Limerick allows graduates to join the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists as full members. Graduates have gone on to successfully register with the Health Professions Council in the UK; which is the only way a music therapist can be employed in the UK including Northern Ireland. Other graduates have been successful attaining recognition in Canada, USA and Australia for the purposes of being eligible to practice there.

Can you tell me the timetable for the course so I can organise my part-time work commitments for next year?

Classes are normally held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays though this can be subject to change. Please be assured that faculty will advise you of the timetable as soon as this is finalised in the University system at the beginning of each semester. Full attendance is expected of all classes. Occasionally unexpected seminars or guest lectures are scheduled outside of the regular class times but these will be advised to students well in advance. Please see previous sections detailing the current blended learning plan

I have further questions, what should I do?

Any additional questions about the programme should be directed to Dr Tríona McCaffrey triona.mccaffrey@ul.ie

For academic queries on this programme please see the link below to the Irish World Academy website:
Email: Triona.Mccaffrey@ul.ie
Web:  - MA Music Therapy – Irish World Academy