Music (B.A.) | University of Iowa

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 29-1129.02

Skills

Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingService OrientationReading ComprehensionLearning StrategiesMonitoring

Knowledge

Therapy and CounselingPsychologyFine ArtsEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal Service

Abilities

Oral ExpressionProblem SensitivityOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityFluency of Ideas

Tasks

Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-ca
Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objective
Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.

Technology

Music or sound editing softwareMedical softwareElectronic mail softwareOffice suite softwareInternet browser software

Tools

Acoustic guitarsAutoharpsAutomatic blood pressure cuffsBass drumsCellosCompact disk CD playersComputer laser printersDigital audio recordersDigital video camerasElectronic keyboardsElectronic organsHandbellsHandheld microphonesHeart rate monitorsLaptop computers

Work Values

RelationshipsAchievementIndependenceWorking ConditionsRecognitionSupport

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium29-1129.02	Music Therapists	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: proficient (Level 3)(based on Bachelor's Degree)

Comprehensive program design — independently design and deliver music therapy programs addressing complex, co-occurring client needs across the full continuum of care from assessment through discharge in diverse clinical environments.
Advanced needs assessment — conduct multidimensional evaluations of client functioning—including spiritual, social, and cognitive dimensions—using formal and informal assessment instruments without supervisory guidance.
Non-routine clinical decision-making — apply critical thinking and inductive reasoning to resolve unexpected client responses or treatment plateaus, modifying intervention approaches in real time within high-acuity settings.
Complex documentation management — produce and maintain high-quality evaluation reports, individualized treatment plans, and outcome summaries that meet institutional, insurance, and credentialing requirements across a full caseload.
Specialty population expertise — lead customized music therapy treatment for complex populations such as patients with physical disabilities, trauma histories, or terminal illness in medical or palliative care settings.
Long-term goal coordination — establish, revise, and align short- and long-term client objectives with broader interdisciplinary therapeutic goals over extended treatment timelines in inpatient or community-based programs.
Music technology integration — utilize music or sound editing software and digital tools to create therapeutic recordings, adaptive instruments, or teletherapy materials tailored to individual client profiles.
Outcome-driven session refinement — synthesize session monitoring data and written progress indicators to make evidence-based adjustments to treatment modality, musical medium, or session frequency across a diverse caseload.
Therapeutic persuasion and advocacy — articulate the clinical value of music therapy to clients, families, and institutional stakeholders, gaining support for treatment continuation or expanded service access.
Peer consultation and problem solving — lead case consultation discussions with colleagues, presenting complex clinical scenarios and applying complex problem-solving frameworks to arrive at shared clinical solutions.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.