Department Spotlights

VIPS Visit Day: Discover Music Therapy at Cleveland State University

Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 9a-1p

Our VIPS (Very Important Prospective Student) Visit Day is a unique opportunity for future students, parents, area music teachers, and counselors to explore all that our music therapy program has to offer. This special day is designed to give you an in-depth look at the real experiences and education that prepare our students for rewarding careers in music therapy.

What to Expect:

• Clinical Poster Session: Start your day by attending our biannual clinical poster session, where you’ll see our students showcase their hands-on clinical experience from their practicum placements.

• Class Observation: Gain insight into our teaching approach and curriculum by observing a live class.

• Colloquium Group Meeting: Enjoy lunch and participate in a colloquium group meeting, where you’ll hear directly from faculty and students about our program, what makes it unique, and the many opportunities available for students.

• Q&A Session: Wrap up your day with an open Q&A session with our faculty. This is a great chance to ask questions, learn more about our program, and discuss how CSU’s music therapy program can help you achieve your career goals.

We invite you to RSVP and reserve your spot at VIPS Visit Day! Whether you’re a future student, a teacher, or a counselor, we’re excited to share the exceptional experiences awaiting students in our music therapy program at CSU.

The CSU Department of Music Therapy is excited to share that music therapy is now a licensed health profession in the State of Ohio!

Beginning July 1, 2024, music therapists in Ohio must hold a Licensed Professional Music Therapist (LPMT) credential to legally practice music therapy or use the title of music therapist. To obtain licensure, individuals must complete an academic program accredited by the American Music Therapy Association and successfully pass the national board certification exam through the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Music therapy licensure is an important step to increasing access to services. Many existing state regulations require that education and healthcare providers hold a state license. As a result, current and potential clients often have difficulty accessing music therapy services. Service provision procedures require official state recognition—often in the form of a state license—for individuals to access music therapy services (The Certification Board of Music Therapists [CBMT], 2023).

Cleveland State University’s music therapy undergraduate and equivalency programs are an excellent pathway for individuals to enter the licensed music therapy profession. We would love to visit with you to discuss your future music therapy career!

For further information about music therapy licensure in Ohio, please visit the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist board website

Music therapists work in a diverse range of healthcare, educational, and community settings to support individuals in achieving meaningful therapeutic goals. Our profession is represented in the following key areas:

1. Hospitals and Medical Centers: Music therapists provide essential support in pain and symptom management, procedural support, and emotional well-being, with specialized care in areas such as oncology, pediatrics, and intensive care.

2. Rehabilitation Centers: In physical and cognitive rehabilitation, music therapy aids recovery by promoting motor skills, memory, and emotional resilience in patients following injury, surgery, or neurological events.

3. Schools and Educational Settings: In partnership with educators, music therapists support students in special education and inclusive settings, addressing developmental, cognitive, and behavioral needs to enhance learning and social engagement.

4. Senior Care and Assisted Living Facilities: Music therapists improve quality of life for older adults by supporting memory, mood, and social interaction, particularly in dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

5. Mental Health and Behavioral Health Centers: Within mental health care, music therapy offers clients coping skills, emotional regulation, and pathways to self-expression, playing a key role in mental health and addiction recovery.

6. Private Practice and Community Health: Music therapists offer specialized services, supporting mental health, developmental needs, and general wellness in a tailored, individualized manner within community and private practice settings.

7. Correctional and Juvenile Detention Centers: Music therapy supports rehabilitation efforts by fostering self-awareness, emotional processing, and resilience in youth and adults within the justice system.

8. Hospice and Palliative Care: Music therapy is integral to end-of-life care, providing comfort, emotional support, and legacy work for patients and families facing terminal illness.

Music therapists work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams across these settings to deliver evidence-based, individualized care that enhances quality of life and promotes holistic health outcomes.