Music Therapy Learning Outcomes

After Pacific | Students who earn a degree in music therapy from Pacific will have completed the requirements to seek certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Music therapists are often part of an interdisciplinary team of health care, education and other professionals. They work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving people with developmental disabilities, community mental health centers and a host of other settings.

Learning Outcomes

We aim to develop well-rounded music graduates in three areas: (a) as  musicians, (b) as specialists, and (c) as professionals. Following is the list of essential skills and qualities of excellence that our music graduates develop through studies in Department of Music:      

As a Musician

  • performs at proficient technical level on at least one instrument and/or voice.
  • performs at a high level of musicianship in terms of musical and stylistic interpretation.
  • demonstrates thorough knowledge of music history.
  • demonstrates an advanced level of aural discrimination and sight reading skills.
  • demonstrates sufficient keyboard skills needed for their areas of specialty.

As a Specialist

  • demonstrates a thorough knowledge of techniques/strategies/pedagogies/materials used in the professional settings of their arias of specialization: performance, music therapy, music education, and general music. 
  • demonstrates knowledge of technology and its application to learning, research, and work places.
  • demonstrates ability to gather, process, and effectively apply data related to their studies and future professions.
  • demonstrates understanding of the possible impact of their personal conduct and their future professions on socio-economic, ethnic, and diversity makeup of the populations with which they may work.
  • demonstrates strategies for integrating music with other disciplines.

As a Professional

  • demonstrates commitment to continuous growth and development as musician and as human being.
  • demonstrates commitment to active involvement in professional associations and this includes volunteering and leadership positions within these organizations.

Program Purpose

The Department of Music at Pacific University (PU) seeks to educate students in the diverse fields of music, including studies focused on performance on varied instruments and voice, music therapy studies, studies in music education, and general music studies. A combination of academic, performance, and professional experiences allows students to experience the breadth and depth of music as the art form within the context of their chosen specialty. Participation in performance opportunities is open to all students on campus regardless of their major or minor in both individual and group (ensemble) instruction. Exploration of literature of a variety of historic periods, cultures and stylistic eras is available through an in depth music history curriculum along with ensemble participation. As music is a shared experience, music making at PU also provides opportunities for students to reach out to the community beyond our campus.

Students earning their music degrees learn the theoretical, historical and cultural background behind the creation of music as well as they are provided with extensive and authentic field experiences unique to students’ area of specialties, whether that is music performance, music therapy, or music education. The Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).