Music Therapy

Three students sit together in a music therapy clinic space. One holds a guitar, with two others sitting beside them, all smiling. An instrument rests on the floor in front of them, adding to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

College of Health

Department of Music Therapy

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Mailing Address
2121 Euclid Ave., MU 111
Cleveland, OH 44115

Campus Location
Music and Communication Building
2001 Euclid Avenue
Room 111
Cleveland, OH 44115

Contact
Phone: (216) 687-3807
musictherapy@csuohio.edu

Welcome to...

Cleveland State University’s Department of Music Therapy! Here, our students engage in a unique blend of rigorous academic coursework, hands-on clinical training, and collaboration within the College of Health. From early hands-on clinical experiences to specialized music therapy ensembles, our program will equip you with the skills needed to thrive as a board-certified music therapist. Our supportive faculty, affordable tuition, and client-focused approach ensure you’re prepared to make a real difference in various settings—from hospitals to schools to long-term care facilities. Join us at CSU to transform your passion for music into a powerful tool for healing and wellness!

About CSU's Department of Music Therapy

Established in 1976 – almost 50 years ago – the music therapy program at CSU began as a member of the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium, which included Baldwin Wallace University and the College of Wooster. Today's stand-alone academic department originated in 2014, and we celebrated the program’s tenth anniversary in 2024-2025.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is an established, evidence-based health science profession that harnesses the therapeutic power of music to support individuals across the lifespan. Through carefully designed interventions, music therapists work to address a range of cognitive, behavioral, communicative, social/emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Music therapy offers a holistic approach tailored to each client's goals, whether aiding in pain management, promoting emotional expression, improving communication, or enhancing motor skills. At Cleveland State University, our program is committed to advancing the field through rigorous training, compassionate care, and a mission to prepare skilled music therapists who make a meaningful impact in diverse healthcare settings.

Interested in Learning More? Invite CSU Music Therapy to Your School

Are your students curious about how music can be a career that combines music with helping professions? Our department is excited to visit high schools and community programs to share more about this growing profession and our nationally accredited Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy.

Our faculty and students can tailor presentations to fit your needs — from introducing the field of music therapy, to exploring career pathways, to highlighting what makes CSU’s program unique.

Please complete the REQUEST A PRESENTATION FORM if you’d like us to visit your classroom, music program, or student group. We’ll work with you to confirm the details and give your students an engaging, informative presentation.

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an image with students sitting on the floor, playing guitars, with statistics of how many clinical hours students provided to the community in 2024-2025

Our Impact

In 2024-2025, our music therapy students provided 13,730 hours of free clinical services to 1,462 patients at 21 community sites, demonstrating our commitment to giving back to the community and enriching the lives of those we serve. With CSU’s proximity to numerous healthcare institutions, rehabilitation centers, and educational facilities, we can offer students a wide range of clinical placements, volunteer experiences, and employment opportunities. By engaging directly with clients in real-world settings, our students develop the skills and empathy necessary to become not just proficient music therapists, but compassionate, community-centered professionals who are well-equipped to make a lasting difference in the field.

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The Department of Music Therapy affiliates with a wide variety of community agencies and sites for clinical training in the greater Cleveland area. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) has approved both the undergraduate and graduate programs in music therapy. Cleveland State University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). This includes all music and music therapy degree offerings. In addition, The Cleveland State University Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

Cleveland State University is required by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) to provide basic information about maintaining health and safety within the contexts of music practice, performance, teaching, and listening to all students, including Department of Music Therapy students. The health and safety of our students on their path to becoming music therapists is very important to our program. Please review more health & safety information regarding music therapy here.

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Don't just take our word for it—explore how our Music Therapy undergraduate program ranks nationally! We're proud to be recognized for both affordability and quality in preparing our students for impactful careers:

🎶 Ranked #14 on Best Value Schools’ list of Most Affordable Music Therapy Degrees in 2024
🎶 Ranked #4 on Best Counseling Degrees for affordable, accredited programs

At CSU, we're committed to providing exceptional education that is both accessible and affordable, setting up our students for success in music therapy and beyond!