Arts | Graduate Program
Alverno College, a pioneer in music therapy for more than 70 years, continues to be a leader in this growing and rewarding field and is proud to offer Wisconsin's first Master of Music Therapy program.
An Alverno Master of Music Therapy degree will give you an edge and prepare you for advanced practice in a variety of areas, including hospitals, hospice, mental health and private practice settings. Electives make up 50 percent of this 36-credit program. Our faculty can help you customize the program to meet your career goals and needs, whether you simply wish to enrich your clinical practice or aspire to leadership, advocacy, management or college-level teaching.
The graduate program in music therapy at Alverno accepts students with a bachelor's degree or equivalency in music therapy from a regionally accredited institution and who are board-certified or an international equivalent.
To best serve music therapists both locally and globally, Alverno's MMT program is designed in a distance-learning format with low residency. You'll take all of your classes online. Some summer electives carry a two-day residency requirement.
At Alverno, our advanced clinical courses will allow you to deepen your clinical practice by taking a reflective look at your personal philosophy of music therapy and refining your use of evidence-informed music therapy techniques to help your clients improve their health and lives. Your learning will connect the advanced theories in the profession with a breadth of research in your current or aspirational employment setting(s).
You'll work closely with faculty who are board-certified, practicing music therapists, experienced clinicians and educators. Our faculty are leaders in the field, and you'll benefit from their deep expertise and industry connections.
Alverno is internationally known for its unique abilities-based curriculum. Instead of competing against classmates, you'll strive to achieve your personal best — practicing the hands-on skills you need to be a strong communicator, leader, critical thinker and problem solver. These strengths will serve you well when you're interviewing for a new job or advocating on behalf of your clients.
Complete our free application online. Alverno requires your official college transcripts, proof of board certification, three professional letters of recommendation, interview and demonstration of applied clinical musicianship, a professional statement, and a signed computer access and technology skills form. If you have questions related to the admissions process, please contact Angel Brown, MMT admissions counselor, at angel.brown@alverno.edu or 414-382-6110.
The Master of Music Therapy Program (MMT) at Alverno College is excited to offer continuing education programs to meet the diverse needs of our profession. There are several ways in which you may choose to engage with our learning community:
1. Focused Learning and Specialization Through Our Digital Badge Options
Alverno is known for innovation and teaching. The MMT Program exemplifies this through personalized assignments and unique and relevant course offerings. Earn a Digital Badge of Advanced Study in specialized content areas by completing 4-5 graduate credits in two consecutive related courses. Board certified music therapists will earn graduate credit and do not need to apply or be accepted to the graduate program to earn a certificate. These credits will transfer in should you choose to apply for the full degree.
1. Digital Badge in Music Therapy Entrepreneurship
2. Digital Badge in Music Therapy Leadership
3. Digital Badge in Advanced Music Therapy Clinical Practice
4. Digital Badge in Music and Neuroscience
To apply, send this form to Becky Engen, Program Director.
2. Professional Development
All MT-BCs and graduate equivalency students (with permission of instructor) are eligible for any individual course in the MMT program. You will earn graduate credits without obligation to take any other courses. The non-degree student application is here. Upcoming courses:
Foundations of Trauma Informed Music Therapy
This course taught by Jennifer Sokira, MMT, LCAT, MT-BC and Dr. Dena Register, Ph.D., MT-BC will provide foundational knowledge about trauma, trauma informed practice and integration of this knowledge into music therapy clinical practice. Participants will increase their understanding of the neurobiological processes that take place when trauma occurs, as well as symptoms of trauma and PTSD. This course will deeply explore the principles of trauma informed care and integrate this knowledge into their current clinical practice. Additionally, participants will gain understanding of theories and models of trauma therapy from both within and outside of music therapy practices and how it is safely used within various clinical populations. Participants will engage in ethical problem solving and discussion around key topics in trauma informed practice including the importance of therapist self-care. Throughout the course, clinical vignettes and examples, demonstrations and clinical role-play will deepen participants understanding and experience, preparing them to apply this material to their daily clinical practices. Participants will earn 20 CMTEs- includes 5 Ethics credits.
Objectives:
~ Participants will demonstrate understanding of the impact of trauma on the brain and define at least 3 major symptoms of trauma. (CBMT Domains: I 5, 8, 10; II B 3e, 4l)
~ Participants will demonstrate understanding of the principles of trauma-informed practice in music therapy and how they inform clinical thinking and treatment planning and implementation. (CBMT Domains: II D5, 9, III A 2 c, g, 3 a-g)
~ Participants will demonstrate understanding of music therapy and non-music therapy approaches to working with clients who have experienced trauma. (CBMT Domains: V A 4-5, B 6, 9)
~ Participants will demonstrate ethical thinking practices key to navigating common ethical dilemmas in clinical settings with clients who have experienced trauma. (CBMT Domains: V A 1, B 2, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12)
Foundations of Trauma Informed Music Therapy also is available for one graduate credit to any MT-BC. This transferable credit would count toward the MMT at Alverno. To register for this workshop as a 1 credit course, sign up here for MMT-670-03, Trauma Informed Care. Tuition information is availalbe at alverno.edu/tuition.
You may also take this workshop with a follow-up 7-week course, asynchronously online, for two graduate credits. This transferable credit would count toward the MMT at Alverno. To register for the 2-credit workshop and online course, sign up here for MMT-670-02, Trauma Informed Care. Tuition information is availalbe at alverno.edu/tuition.
3. Free Webinars on Third Thursdays
Join us at 7 p.m. CT for a free, one-hour CMTE.
Certificates of attendance will be awarded to those who register in advance.
April 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT (Please note start time)
Topic: Introduction to Grant Writing for Music Therapists
presented by Leslie Henry, MM, MT-BC
Please register in advance for this meeting by clicking here.
May 20 at 7 p.m. CT
Topic: Songwriting
presented by Rob Collier, PhD
Please register in advance for this meeting by clicking here.
June 7 at 7 p.m. CT
Topic: Teaching and Supervising MT Students
presented by Becky Engen, PhD, MT-BC
Please register in advance for this meeting by clicking here.
Sept 9 at 7 p.m. CT *Note not 3rd Thursday
Topic: A Case Study - A Philosophical Study Using Neuroscience to Change Practice
presented by Ingrid Gruett, MT-BC, WMTR
Please register in advance for this meeting by clicking here.
Becky Engen, Ph.D., MT-BC
Director, Master of Music Therapy
becky.engen@alverno.edu
Have questions about studying at Alverno? We invite you to connect with our Admissions team to learn more.
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