CRICOS Code: 060978M

This program applies to students who commenced in 2018 or later. 

For Commencement Year 2008-2017 - please refer to 1650.1 Master of Creative Music Therapy

The program is offered by the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University. This program provides an excellent opportunity for graduates to enter the field of music therapy. The program 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 program is to train musicians in the specialisation of Creative Music Therapy.

• Director of Academic Program - Dr Clare MacLean

Study Mode

Two years full-time

Program Advice

Dr Alison Short

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Penrith Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above

Accreditation

The Master of Creative Music Therapy is accredited with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for Registration (RMT) with the AMTA which qualifies them to practice professionally.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree or higher in humanities, social science, creative arts, health science, music discipline;

Or

Successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a minimum of two years full-time equivalent professional work experience in roles related to music therapy or music teaching or roles in a dance or vocal studio as a repetiteur;

And

Must attend an audition.

Audition:

You will be selected on an interview/audition in which personal aptitude and professional experience are taken into consideration. At your audition you will be asked to:

• a) play two contrasting pieces on your first instrument, or if you are a vocalist, sing two contrasting pieces;
• b) play a piece on your second instrument;
• c) sight read a melody (instrumental and vocal);
• d) harmonise a melody on the piano or other western polyphonic instrument;
• e) improvise three simple variations on the piano or other western polyphonic instrument, on a given theme;
• f) perform a free improvisation based on a given subject/theme, on the piano or an instrument of your choice. The improvisation should preferably be atonal.

Note: The piano must be included in a) or b).

Applicants who are unable to attend the audition in person will undertake a remote audio-visual audition (see b, c, d, e, and f. above.) Prior to the remote audition, these applicants should submit a DVD demonstrating musical proficiency (see a. above) - play two contrasting pieces on your first instrument, or if you are a vocalist, sing two contrasting pieces) and an essay of 1,500 words, describing their knowledge of Creative Music Therapy and why they wish to study it. The essay should include at least 4 references and use APA format.

Additional Application Information

Applicants wanting to have professional experience considered as part of the application process are required to submit:

• • A curriculum vitae (CV) including:
  • Details of a minimum of two years of full-time equivalent professional experience (paid, voluntary or student) in a supportive capacity with people in community, welfare, health, the arts or music settings, including dates and a description of duties.
  • Details of training and experience in the respective roles.
• A statement of service or signed letters from employers confirming your role, duties and period of employment.
• A statement detailing how your professional experience prepares you to undertake postgraduate study.

For further information, contact the Program Advisor.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Program Structure

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

Recommended Sequence

The Music Therapy Skills and the Creative Music Therapy Practicum subjects are offered on a rotating two-year cycle and students enrol depending on which subjects are being offered in the current year. Intending applicants should check with the Program Advisor prior to commencement if they have any queries regarding the cycle of subject offerings.

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
PERF 7003	Music Therapy Method	10
Select one of the following:		20
PERF 7009	Music Therapy Skills & Practice A
PERF 7011	Music Therapy Skills & Practice C
	Credit Points	30
Spring session
PERF 7007	Music Therapy Theory and Practice 1	10
Select one of the following:		20
PERF 7010	Music Therapy Skills & Practice B
PERF 7012	Music Therapy Skills & Practice D
	Credit Points	30
Year 2
Autumn session
PERF 7008	Music Therapy Theory and Practice 2	10
Select one of the following:		20
PERF 7009	Music Therapy Skills & Practice A
PERF 7011	Music Therapy Skills & Practice C
	Credit Points	30
Spring session
PERF 7004	Music Therapy Professional Practice	10
Select one of the following:		20
PERF 7010	Music Therapy Skills & Practice B
PERF 7012	Music Therapy Skills & Practice D
	Credit Points	30
	Total Credit Points	120

Equivalent Subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in Autumn 2020 or earlier.

101443 - Creative Music Therapy Practicum, replaced by PERF 7010 Music Therapy Skills & Practice B
101444 - Creative Music Therapy Practicum 2 , replaced by PERF 7012 Music Therapy Skills & Practice D 
101445 - Music Therapy Skills 1 , replaced by PERF 7009 Music Therapy Skills & Practice A
101446 - Music Therapy Skills 2 , replaced by PERF 7011 Music Therapy Skills & Practice C