MUSC 184

MUSC 184: Outcome-oriented Thinking in Music Therapy

Prerequisites: MUSC 163, a declared major of music therapy, or permission of instructor

Credit Hours: (2)

This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of outcome-oriented thinking in music therapy, which will focus on using music therapy to elicit a specific response from clients. Various populations and methods will be approached from a data-driven lens. Students will be provided with opportunities to think critically about when to use outcome-oriented thinking in music therapy. They will learn skills and techniques within this means of working with clients.

Detailed Description of Course Content

Overview of Outcome-oriented thinking
Outcome-oriented thinking: assessment, treatment, evaluation, termination
Various theories that utilize this approach
Methods that target specific outcomes from clients
Appropriate documentation within this orientation
Possible uses within various populations

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course may include the following instructional strategies: lecture, experientials, student development of materials, student presentations, cooperative/group learning, writing-to-learn activities, oral and musical communication activities, and role-playing/simulation

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The following professional competencies, as outlined by the American Music Therapy Association, will be emphasized in this course. At the conclusion of the semester students will possess emphasized knowledge across the following areas as assessed through a variety of measures:

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of a therapist-client relationship.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of therapy groups.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of accepted methods of major therapeutic approaches.
Principles and methods of music therapy assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination for the populations specified in the Standards of Clinical Practice.
Philosophical, psychological, physiological, and sociological basis of music as therapy.
Select and implement effective culturally-based methods for assessing the client’s strengths, needs, musical preferences, level of musical functioning, and development.
Select or create music therapy experiences that meet the client's objectives.
Formulate goals and objectives for individual and group therapy based upon assessment findings.
Determine the client's appropriate music therapy group and/or individual placement.
Design and implement methods for evaluating and measuring client progress and the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies.
Develop and use data-gathering techniques during all phases of the clinical process including assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination.
Adhere to the Standards of Clinical Practice
Communicate to other departments and staff the rationale for music therapy services and the role of the music therapist.
Define the role of music therapy in the client's total treatment program

Assessment Measures

Mid-term and final exams, clinical paperwork that is typical for outcome-oriented thinking in a variety of settings to capture client data and report on client progress, music playing experiences, reflections on readings and quizzes on readings, video reflections of clinical settings.

Other Course Information

Review and Approval

April, 2019