Master of Creative Music Therapy

Music therapy is an evidence-based allied health profession that uses music to support people of all ages and life stages. Music therapists use creative music-based approaches to support areas such as communication, cognition, movement, social connection and emotional wellbeing.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Music Therapist (RMT) and can pursue careers across health care, education, disability, mental health, aged care and community settings.

The program is suited to those with an undergraduate degree or higher qualification in areas such as music, creative arts, education, allied health, counselling, psychology or related disciplines who want to apply their music skills in a therapeutic setting.

This program is designed for people who want to combine their passion for music with a desire to support the health and wellbeing of others. It may be right for you if you are interested in applying your existing music skills in a therapeutic setting and developing a career supporting individuals and communities through evidence-based music therapy practice.

You should have a strong interest in music, creativity, working with people and developing the professional skills required to practise as a Registered Music Therapist.

The Master of Creative Music Therapy combines advanced music skills, evidence-based therapeutic practice and extensive real-world experience to prepare you for a career as a Registered Music Therapist.

With a renewed curriculum for 2027, 640 hours of Work Integrated Learning and access to our uniquely positioned MusicTherapy@Western Centre, you will develop the practical skills, professional confidence and research capability needed to support people across health care, education, disability, mental health, aged care and community settings.

You are expected to demonstrate an advanced level of musicianship on your main instrument, which may include guitar, piano or voice. ‘Advanced level’ refers to the ability to confidently perform advanced pieces fluently, at a high level of proficiency and complexity, demonstrating an advanced level of mastery on this instrument.

You will also be asked to demonstrate your ability to use guitar and voice, and piano and voice together as part of your application.

That’s okay. You are not expected to have advanced skills or guitar or piano (unless one of these is your main instrument). As part of your application, we ask you to demonstrate your current ability to sing while playing both guitar and piano, and this does not have to be advanced. We understand that applicants come from a range of musical backgrounds and experience, so simply demonstrate these skills as best you can. We are interested in understanding your current musicianship and your potential to develop these skills through the program.

You don’t need to be an advanced singer, unless voice is your main instrument. We recognise that applicants have different levels of experience and confidence with singing. As part of your application, we simply ask you to demonstrate your current ability to sing while accompanying yourself on guitar and piano. This helps us understand your current musicianship and your potential to further develop these skills through the program.

You must submit a 3-page PDF document as part of your application, including a personal statement, details of relevant experience and three video links demonstrating their musicianship skills. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to an online audition/interview via Zoom.

The audition/interview provides an opportunity to discuss your application, motivation for studying music therapy and demonstrate your musicianship. You will be asked to perform live the same or similar pieces submitted in your application and complete basic aural and technical musicianship exercises.

No. Video submissions do not need to be professionally produced. Use the technology available to you to provide a clear demonstration of your current music skills.

You complete a total of 640 hours (80 days) of supervised Work Integrated Learning across the program, including music therapy placements each semester.

MusicTherapy@Western is an integrated on-campus professional learning environment where students can develop their skills through practical experience, community engagement and supervised music therapy placements.

The program combines on-campus and online learning. Students attend on-campus lectorials one day per week during semester, supported by synchronous and asynchronous online learning activities and two on-campus intensive days each semester.

Yes. The program is accredited by the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Music Therapist (RMT).

Yes. For students interested in advancing music therapy knowledge through research, Higher Degree Research opportunities are available.