Courses | B.M. in Music Therapy
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Admission Requirements
All students seeking admission must demonstrate musical background and the strengths in performance and/or composition necessary for successful completion of the stated curriculum. Admission into Biola University does not guarantee admission into the Conservatory as a music major. A student will be admitted to the Conservatory of Music after:
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Meeting requirements for University admission.
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Completing a Conservatory application with the required number of references.
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Completing a Conservatory audition.
After acceptance and upon entrance, students will be assessed with regard to their performance levels. They will also be given the option to take placement surveys in musicianship, written theory, and/or keyboard skills, or they may simply choose to begin their studies at the introductory level. Specific information concerning the content of these surveys and suggestions for preparation are available by contacting the Conservatory Office.
Transfer of Credits
Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:
- Theory I and II (MUSC 154 and MUSC 164)
- Musicianship I, II, III, and IV (MUSC 153, MUSC 163, MUSC 353, and MUSC 363)
- Introduction to Piano and Keyboard Skills I (MUSC 100 and MUSC 118)
In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys.
No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.
Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.
Applied Music
In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in either the voice or instrument under study, or in composition. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via "special employee" contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.
GPA Requirements
Students in the degree program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of "C" in each required course.
Curriculum Requirements
Integration Seminar Requirement
All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 465 as "Redeeming Culture through Music."
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| Candidates for Bachelor of Music degree are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts. | ||
| Biological Principles | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Musicianship and Music Therapy Courses | ||
| MUSC 104 | Introduction to Guitar | 1 |
| MUSC 105 | Foundations and Principles of Music Therapy | 3 |
| MUSC 118 | Keyboard Skills I 1 | 1 |
| or MUSC 261 | Keyboard Sight Reading I | |
| MUSC 119 | Keyboard Skills II 1 | 1 |
| or MUSC 262 | Keyboard Sight Reading II | |
| MUSC 145 | Applied Music (Primary Instrument) 2 | 6 |
| MUSC 153 | Musicianship I 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 154 | Theory I 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 160 | Essential Technologies for Musicians I | 1 |
| MUSC 163 | Musicianship II 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 164 | Theory II 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 170 | Essential Technologies for Musicians II | 1 |
| MUSC 200 | Performing Arts Forum 5 | 0 |
| MUSC 218 | Music Therapy Methods and Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 225 | Psychology of Music | 3 |
| MUSC 270 | Introduction to Songwriting | 2 |
| MUSC 275 | Music Area Seminar 6 | 0 |
| MUSC 315 | History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque | 3 |
| MUSC 316 | History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic | 3 |
| MUSC 335 | Music Therapy Observation | 2 |
| MUSC 353 | Musicianship III 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 354 | Theory III 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 367 | Pop Theory for Worship and Commercial Music | 2 |
| MUSC 375 | Music Therapy Practicum 5 | 4 |
| MUSC 376 | Music Therapy Improvisation | 2 |
| MUSC 377 | Music Therapy Group 7 | 2 |
| MUSC 378 | Music Therapy with Children | 2 |
| MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World | 2 |
| MUSC 460 | Music Therapy for Adults | 2 |
| MUSC 461 | Internship in Music Therapy 8 | 6 |
| MUSC 485 | Music in Therapy | 3 |
| PSYC 309 | Introduction to Psychopathology | 3 |
| Ensembles 9 | 6 | |
| Program Course Requirements: 76 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 10 | 60 | |
| Total Credits | 136 | |
- 1
Keyboard principal students are exempt from MUSC 118 and MUSC 119. Keyboardists must take MUSC 261 and MUSC 262.
Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano.
- 2
Must be taken for a total of 6 credits through proficiency: level 356.
- 3
Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.
- 4
Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.
- 5
Must be taken for a total of 4 semesters.
- 6
Music Area Seminar is taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music.
- 7
Must be taken for a total of 2 semesters.
- 8
Must be taken for a total of 6 credits.
- 9
Instrumental students: 4 ensembles with Primary Instrument and 2 Choral ensembles. Voice students: 6 Choral/Opera ensembles, 2 of which may be Pop.
- 10
See Core Curriculum section for details.