Mission of the Master of Arts in Music Therapy and Professional Counseling 

Our mission is to prepare holistic mental health practitioners who specialize in the integration of the transformative power of music therapy with evidence-based counseling approaches to support individual and community well-being.

Vision of Master of Arts in Music Therapy and Professional Counseling  

We envision a future where the healing power of music and professional counseling work synergistically to transform lives and strengthen communities.   

1. Apply comprehensive knowledge of music therapy and counselor theories, methods and techniques to meet the needs of clients in a broad range of settings
2. Assess, integrate and interpret clients’ histories, needs and behaviors to develop comprehensive treatment plans
3. Evaluate counseling-specific assessments, including career assessments, and administer assessments in the best interest of clients
4.  Analyze their own social location and lived experience, while mastering strategies to bracket and challenge 
5. Access, interpret and utilize current research to inform clinical decision-making processes
6. Demonstrate integrated music skills that meet the diverse musical needs of clients
7. Demonstrate ethical competence

Admissions Dates

Applications for Fall 2025 are now being accepted.

Admission Requirements 

View All Admissions Requirements

The Master of Arts in Music Therapy and Professional Counseling is a specialized degree that requires students to take classes from both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program  and the Professional Studies Program in Music Therapy Certification Eligibility.

For more information about this program, eligibility, and how to apply, please contact Anthony Meadows at anthony.meadows@rpybbk.com or Brittany Sager-Heinrichs brittany.sager@rpybbk.com.

• The clinical mental health counseling program requires 100 hours of group/individual practicum and 600 hours of internship. Students will have the opportunity to identify agencies, schools, or other related facilities where they would prefer to complete their internship hours. 
• The music therapy program requires a total of 1,200 hours of clinical training, which is divided into practicum (approximately 200 hours completed alongside academic coursework) and internship (1,000 hours, completed full time in the fourth semester of degree). 
• Students wishing to engage in research during their studies can do so in coordination with faculty in their area of specialization. 

• American Counseling Association 
• American Music Therapy Association  
• Certification Board for Virginia Counseling Association  
• Certification Board for Music Therapists  
• Counselors for Social Justice 

A degree in clinical mental health counseling provides opportunities to work in diverse settings including college career/student services, substance abuse community agencies, inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, and private practice. A degree in music therapy provides opportunities to work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. A combined degree in clinical mental health counseling and music therapy provides a diversified job outlook including the integration of job skills in inpatient, outpatient, or residential settings. 

Per the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counseling profession is expected to grow 18% in the next year with the average salary being $49,710. In 2024, the average salary of a music therapist was $66,731.00. The average salary of a music therapist in Virginia is $56,405.