Music Therapy, B.M.
Mission
The mission of the music therapy program is to prepare graduates, grounded in a Christian worldview, to use their musical gifts and skills, and therapeutic techniques to enhance the well-being of those with physical and emotional disorders.
Degree Program
The Bachelor of Music degrees are offered upon completion of the University baccalaureate and major requirements. The major requirements include completing 74 credits.
Students interested in pursuing this degree must demonstrate a high level of commitment to music therapy as a profession.
Special Programs/Opportunities
Ensembles
The Conservatory provides opportunities for experience in several types of vocal and instrumental ensembles, including the Biola Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Women's Chorus, Men's Chorus, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Music Ensembles. All are open to non-music majors as well as music majors by audition.
Concert Series
The Conservatory concert series features outstanding guest artists and student ensembles.
Masterclasses and Artist-in-Residence Program
Opportunities for participating in masterclasses with guest artists are available annually. Of special note is the ongoing series of masterclasses and recitals by world-renowned artists, including Menahem Pressler, pianist, Artist-in-Residence.
Local Opportunities
The Southern California area provides exceptional opportunities for hearing the world's leading artists, as well as outstanding college and church music performances.
Service Opportunities
The Los Angeles metropolitan area offers many opportunities for remunerative service in music. There are frequent openings for competent church choir directors, soloists, accompanists, instrumentalists, and organists.
Scholarships
Music awards in varying amounts are available to qualified students. Complete information is available by emailing music@biola.edu or by writing:
Director, Conservatory of Music
Biola University
13800 Biola Avenue
La Mirada, CA 90639-0001
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate competency of the foundation of musical knowledge related to musical theory, analysis, and history (ULO 1).
- Demonstrate integration of faith in the musical disciplines and anticipated future professional activities (ULO 2).
- Demonstrate synthesis of all degree-specific coursework and development of musicianship, knowledge, and skill expected in the professional field through expertise displayed in the degree capstone experience (ULO 3).
Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.
Admission Requirements
All students seeking admission must demonstrate musical background and performance strengths 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:
- Meeting requirements for University admission.
- Completing a Conservatory application with the required number of references.
- Completing a Conservatory audition, including a basic musicianship examination designed to demonstrate university level music study readiness.
After acceptance and upon entrance, students will be given placement examinations and auditions in music dictation, keyboard skills and performance. These examinations are given for the purpose of validating prior study and determining proper placement in music courses. Specific information concerning the content of these examinations and suggestions for preparation are available by contacting the Conservatory Office.
Transfer of Credit/Advanced Standing
With the exception of courses in music theory, sight-singing and dictation, keyboard skills, and individual performance, courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis.
Prior study in the areas of music theory, sight-singing and dictation, keyboard skills, and individual performance will be validated through placement examinations.
Advanced standing may be gained through placement examinations in the areas of music theory, sight-singing and dictation, keyboard skills, and individual performance; however, no credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement examinations 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 examinations.
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 the voice or instrument under study. 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.
Integration Seminar Requirement
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take BBST 465 as "Redeeming Culture through Music" (this course fulfills the integration seminar Bible requirement).
Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Program-Specific Core Requirement | ||
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 | 4 |
MUSC 145 | Applied Music (Guitar/Piano) 3 | 2 |
MUSC 153 | Sight-Singing & Dictation I | 2 |
MUSC 154 | Music Theory I | 2 |
MUSC 163 | Sight-Singing & Dictation II | 2 |
MUSC 164 | Music Theory II | 2 |
MUSC 200 | Concert Music 4 | 0 |
MUSC 218 | Music Therapy Methods and Techniques | 3 |
MUSC 225 | Psychology of Music | 3 |
MUSC 270 | Introduction to Songwriting | 2 |
MUSC 335 | Music Therapy Observation | 2 |
MUSC 317 | Survey of Western Music I: Classical thru Mid-Twentieth Century | 3 |
MUSC 318 | Survey of Western Music II: Medieval thru Baroque | 3 |
MUSC 353 | Sight-Singing and Dictation III | 1 |
MUSC 354 | Music Theory III | 2 |
MUSC 367 | Pop Theory for Worship and Commercial Music | 2 |
MUSC 375 | Music Therapy Practicum 4 | 4 |
MUSC 376 | Music Therapy Improvisation | 2 |
MUSC 377 | Music Therapy Group 5 | 2 |
MUSC 378 | Music Therapy with Children | 2 |
MUSC 410 | Music Cultures of the World | 3 |
MUSC 460 | Music Therapy for Adults | 2 |
MUSC 461 | Internship in Music Therapy 6 | 6 |
MUSC 485 | Music in Therapy | 3 |
PSYC 309 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
Ensembles 7 | 6 | |
Total Credits | 74 |
1 | Students may take the Keyboard Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Keyboard requirements. If keyboard is your primary instrument, enroll in MUSC 261 and MUSC 262. |
2 | Must be taken for a total of 4 credits through proficiency: level 254. |
3 | If your primary instrument is guitar, take at least 2 credits of MUSC 145 Applied Music: Piano; if your primary instrument is piano, take MUSC 145 Applied Music: Guitar. See department for further advising. |
4 | Must be taken for a total of 4 semesters. |
5 | Must be taken for a total of 2 semesters. |
6 | Must be taken for a total of 6 credits. |
7 | 4 instrumental ensembles, 2 worship/pop ensembles. |
NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.
Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.
See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BBST 103 or 165 | 3 | BBST 103 or 165 | 3 |
GNST 102 | 1 | Communications (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
Music | 10 | ENGL 100 or 112 | 3 |
PSYC 200 (Required) | 3 | Music | 8 |
17 | 17 | ||
Total Credits 34 |
Second Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BBST 209 or 210 | 3 | BBST 209 or 210 | 3 |
BBST 251 | 3 | BIOS 100 (Required) | 3 |
HIST 100 or 101 | 3 | Music | 12 |
Music | 8 | ||
17 | 18 | ||
Total Credits 35 |
Third Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BBST 354 | 3 | BBST 365 | 3 |
Music | 13 | ENGL 313 | 3 |
KNES Activity | 1 | HIST 200, 201, or POSC 225 | 3 |
KNES 107 | 1 | ||
Music | 7 | ||
Graduation Petition due in Registrar's Office | |||
17 | 17 | ||
Total Credits 34 |
Fourth Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BBST 306, 316, 326, or 336 | 3 | BBST 300/400 Bible Elective | 3 |
BBST 465 (Redeeming Culture Through Music - required) | 3 | Music | 10 |
Math (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | ||
Music | 3 | ||
Philosophy (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | ||
PSYC 309 | 3 | ||
18 | 13 | ||
Total Credits 31 |
Fifth Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
MUSC 461 | 3 | MUSC 461 | 3 |
3 | 3 | ||
Total Credits 6 |
NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.
Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.
See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HNRS 101 | 4 | HNRS 105 | 4 |
HNRS 102 | 4 | HNRS 106 | 4 |
GNST 102 | 1 | Music | 10 |
Music | 9 | ||
18 | 18 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HNRS 210 | 4 | HNRS 230 | 4 |
HNRS 215 | 4 | HNRS 231 | 4 |
PSYC 200 | 3 | Music | 10 |
Music | 7 | ||
18 | 18 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HNRS 324 | 4 | HNRS 337 | 4 |
HNRS 326 | 2 | HNRS 339 | 2 |
Music | 10 | BIOS 100 | 3 |
ENGL 313 | 3 | ||
KNES 107 | 1 | ||
Music | 5 | ||
16 | 18 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HNRS 443 | 4 | HNRS 458 | 4 |
BBST 465 (Redeeming Culture Through Music - required) | 3 | Math (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
Music | 7 | Music | 10 |
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum) | 1 | ||
PSYC 309 | 3 | ||
18 | 17 | ||
Fifth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
MUSC 461 | 3 | MUSC 461 | 3 |
3 | 3 | ||
Total Credits 147 |
Note: Certain Music courses are not offered every semester. Please check with the Music department for the most up-to-date schedule of required courses.