Study Music Therapy

Why Study Music Therapy at The Woods?

SMWC has a very small student-teacher ratio that allows for individualized attention in music therapy. The music therapy faculty have extensive clinical experience with a wide range of populations and continue to practice within the Terre Haute community. Beginning in the second semester of freshman year, music therapy students are able to begin their fieldwork experiences in the community and receive weekly supervision with faculty.

Fieldwork may include:

• Pediatric, behavioral, and oncology units of local hospitals
• Pediatric therapy facility
• Mental health centers 
• Special education classrooms in elementary and middle schools 
• Nursing homes 
• Group homes/day care facilities for teens/adults with developmental disabilities 
• Hearing impaired students 
• At-risk students 
• County juvenile detention center
• View specific practicum sites in the Terre Haute area (PDF)

Each student is observed by on-site supervisors and music therapy faculty and gain important feedback on various skills. Students also acquire classroom and clinical experience in the use of therapeutic improvisation techniques. Students develop an understanding of and aptitude in music therapy documentation in addition to receiving extensive classroom and clinical experience in facilitating specific music therapy techniques. Music therapy students are required to take piano proficiency and guitar/voice proficiency exams (after taking lessons and music classes) during academic training.