Learn about how and what you'll study for the Master of Music Therapy.

• Master of Music Therapy by coursework and research
• Master of Music Therapy by research

Most students do the Master of Music Therapy by coursework and research, which is in two parts. In Part 1 you'll do coursework and in Part 2 you'll do casework and research.

If you're already a music therapist with an appropriate postgraduate qualification you can go straight to Part 2—the Master of Music Therapy by research.

Learn through practical musical and placement study, theory and research. You and your tutors will work closely together in small groups to problem-solve, reflect on theory and practice, and consider questions that can lead to practice-based research.

In Trimester One you'll do courses covering the principles and methods used in music therapy. In Trimester Two you'll do courses on the exploration of music from cultures other than your own, and learn how this applies to your practice, along with courses on approaches to music therapy research and a workplace practicum.

For Part 2, you'll do a range of music therapy casework, followed by a supervised practice-based research project linking to what you observe and experience on your placement. For the Master of Music Therapy by research, your study may be practice-based or more theoretical, depending on your interests and research questions. Both options are full-year courses.

You'll do placements both through your Part 1 practicum and your Part 2 casework. Your placement will be clinically supervised by lecturing staff in Part 1 and by external registered music therapists in Part 2. You'll also be supported by on-site liaison staff who may be music therapists, specialist teachers, or other healthcare professionals.

Placement opportunities may include clinical practice in:

• special schools and special units of mainstream schools—primary and secondary
• central regional health schools for young people with mental health needs
• child development centres and paediatric wards of hospitals
• specialist pre-school units for conductive education of children with physical and neurological needs
• visual resource centres
• deaf education units
• specialist hospital and community units for adults with neurological disorders and psychiatric conditions such as eating disorders and complex dual-diagnoses—learning difficulties and psychiatry
• centres for adolescents and adults with intellectual handicaps
• dedicated music and allied therapy centres in Auckland and Christchurch
• aged care
• drug and alcohol rehabilitation services
• hospice and palliative care

The Master of Music Therapy by coursework and research can be completed in two years of full-time study or in three to five years part time.

The Master of Music Therapy by research can be completed in one year full time or in two to three years part time.

If you are studying full time you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. This programme is demanding, so you need to be cautious about how much paid work you take on. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.

You can estimate your study workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10–12 hours work.

You'll do Part 1 in Wellington. You may be able to do Part 2 in Auckland or Christchurch if suitable professional supervision is available. Contact NZSM at music@vuw.ac.nz to learn more.

You'll be able to choose your practice-based research project based on what you observe and experience in your casework.