The M.S. in Music Therapy is a 30-credit hour program available on campus or fully online. Students can choose one of two academic tracks based on their professional goals: clinical practice or research. The M.S. in Music Therapy – Clinical Track is focused on music therapists who wish to advance their clinical and/or leadership skills in music therapy. The M.S. in Music Therapy – Research Track supports advanced competencies in research culminating in a research thesis.
Apply to Herron's M.S. in Music Therapy program
Prerequisites
Applicants must have a current music therapy board certification or the international equivalent.
Application components
To begin the application process, visit IU Indianapolis' online graduate application.
Apple Safari and Google Chrome users must enable pop-ups and third-party cookies in order for the application to function properly.
You will be asked to provide contact details (i.e. names, street addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) of three recommenders – faculty members or professional references – who will submit letters of recommendation through the online application system.
Recommenders will only receive an electronic request after you've submitted your online application. In the online framework, they will be asked to discuss aspects of your academic or professional performance, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Recommenders must submit their recommendations electronically.
Submit a portfolio comprising of online audio/video content demonstrating musical competence on piano, voice, and guitar.
Official transcripts from each institution you attended must be sent to Herron's Office of Admissions and Student Services. Official transcripts must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and completion of a bachelor's degree.
If you are in the process of completing a bachelor's degree when you apply, a transcript showing your academic record through your current term of study is acceptable. If admitted to Herron, you must submit a final, official transcript verifying the completion and award of your degree.
For international students, if the original documents are not in English, a verified translation must be sent with your official transcripts.
Submitting electronic transcripts
If your institution(s) can submit official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to hadmit@iu.edu.
If your school is sending limited-time login credentials that allow us to access their transcript system, be sure to make your request during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST).
Emailed unofficial PDFs of transcripts will not be accepted.
Submitting mailed hard copies
If there is an extenuating circumstance preventing the submission of official electronic transcripts, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services at hadmit@iu.edu with an explanation and a representative will provide detailed mailing instructions.
Proof of English proficiency is required for international students unless the applicant's undergraduate degree is from a university that is located in a country where English is the official language.
Most commonly, students submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores. TOEFL scores must total 79 or higher on the internet-based test (550 or higher on the paper-based test). IELTS scores must total 6.5 or higher.
Applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to IU Indianapolis by the testing agency. The IU Indianapolis reporting code for TOEFL is 1325. Other tests or ELS coursework may be accepted in order to verify English proficiency.
For a list of all options and minimum scores required, please see the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs English Requirements.
For a full list of required documents, please visit the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs.
Interview
As the final step in the application process, semi-finalists will be contacted for an in-person or telephone interview with the graduate program director or a graduate faculty member.
Application fees
- IU Indianapolis online graduate application fee: $70 for all applicants
Application deadlines
January 15: Deadline to submit your completed online application for funding consideration
January 22: Deadline to submit all supplemental materials for funding consideration
April 1: Deadline to submit your completed online application
April 8: Deadline to submit all supplemental materials
Technology and equipment requirements
Music Technology and Music Therapy students in the Department of Music and Arts Technology are required to have core technology elements prior to enrollment. The specific requirements vary between programs based on the curricular needs of each degree and can be found on our technical requirements page.
Questions?
Ask an admissions counselor, or contact Herron's Office of Admissions and Student Services directly at 317-278-9400 or hadmit@iu.edu.
Music and arts technology department mission
The Department of Music and Arts Technology educates students in technical, theoretical, and creative skills emphasizing integrations of science and sound. Our graduate and undergraduate degrees in music technology and music therapy prepare students for professions valuing technological innovation in the arts and the roles of music in health and well-being.