Music Therapy - MA

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Limerick

Program Overview

The MA in Music Therapy at University of Limerick is a two-year, full-time NFQ Level 9 master’s that prepares students for professional practice as music therapists, blending high-level musicianship with therapeutic theory, clinical skills and research in health and community settings. It suits graduates with strong musical ability, relevant work or voluntary experience in health/social care, and a passion for supporting wellbeing through creative, evidence-based therapeutic work.

Curriculum structure:

In this two-year programme, students build interdisciplinary expertise that integrates music, therapy and clinical practice. They begin with Clinical Orientation, focusing on practical music and assessment skills essential for therapeutic engagement, and Arts and Health Practice and Enquiry, exploring how music and the arts support health and wellbeing. Through Media and Music Technologies for Music Therapy, learners gain insight into digital tools and their therapeutic applications, and Music Therapy Practice 1 & 2 focus on developing core facilitation skills across diverse client groups. Supervised Music Therapy Fieldwork Practice modules across both years provide immersive clinical experience working with clients under professional supervision. Research and independent learning are embedded through Independent Study and a Music Therapy Final Project, enabling students to design, conduct and present an original research or applied project in music therapy.

Focus areas (in a string):

Clinical orientation, arts & health practice, music technologies in therapy, music therapy practice, fieldwork placements, independent research and final project.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Apply evidence-based music therapy methods in clinical and community contexts; integrate musical and therapeutic skills; evaluate therapeutic interventions; conduct independent research; and demonstrate competence for professional practice as a music therapist.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

Awarded as an NFQ Level 9 MA by University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, this programme aligns with professional standards in creative arts therapies and supports eligibility for membership in bodies such as the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT), with graduates working in health, education, disability and community settings.

Reputation (employability rankings):

University of Limerick is ranked internationally in QS World University Rankings and is the only university in Ireland offering postgraduate training in music therapy, giving strong graduate visibility and specialist employability in healthcare, education and therapeutic sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical research skills by conducting their own empirical investigation, receiving advanced methodological training, and studying professional issues in applied contexts. The core of the experiential learning is an independent dissertation project, supported by dedicated training and access to university resources. This hands-on experience is delivered through several specific components:

Major Independent Research Project: Every student completes a dissertation based on an empirical investigation. This is the program's central practical exercise, requiring students to design, conduct, analyze, and report on original research in applied psychology.
Core Methodological Training: A compulsory Research Methodology and Statistics module provides the foundational technical skills needed to execute the empirical dissertation, covering essential research design and data analysis techniques.
Applied Optional Modules: Students choose from specialized applied modules like Theory of Psychotherapy, Applied Forensic Psychology, Counselling Skills, and Issues in Clinical Psychology. These modules translate theoretical knowledge into practice within specific fields.
Professional Skills Development: The compulsory Philosophical and Professional Issues in Applied Psychology module addresses ethical, philosophical, and practical considerations for working as a professional psychologist.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of University of Limerick's MA in Music Therapy establish successful careers using music interventions to support emotional, physical, and social wellbeing across diverse client populations in healthcare and education settings. Typical positions include music therapist, clinical musicologist, special education specialist, and hospice care therapist working with special needs schools, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. These outcomes reflect the program's emphasis on clinical placements and professional readiness for Ireland and international practice.

Career Support Elements:

University Services: UL Careers Service offers placement coordination, professional networking, and job guidance tailored for creative health professions.
Employment Stats: Strong employability in growing therapy fields; starting salaries €38,000-€48,000 in clinical/educational roles with advancement potential.
University-Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with HSE services, hospices, special schools, and residential care for supervised clinical experience.
Long-term Accreditation Value: Prepares for registered music therapist status; supports international certification and specialist healthcare credentials.
Graduation Outcomes: Employment in health services, education, community programs, research, or private practice addressing developmental disabilities.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates pursue PhD research in music therapy, advanced clinical specializations, or doctoral training integrating music with psychotherapy, leveraging extensive placement hours and research training