Content and structure

Music therapy is a psychotherapeutic treatment method that uses music in specific ways in the therapeutic process to promote, preserve and restore health. It is also used as a diagnostic tool.

As a scientifically substantiated, artistic-creative form of treatment, music therapy uses music in addition to discussion and body-centred interventions as an in-depth medium for fostering perception, expression, communication and behaviour. It is used on the basis of the therapeutic relationship as well as specific indications in people of all age groups in different practice fields of psychology, medicine, (special) education and rehabilitation, in outpatient practice and in areas of music education and animation, prevention and mental health.

→ The programme is taught exclusively in German.

In the five basic modules, relevant fundamental knowledge for music therapy is taught. The ten advanced modules focus on the theory and practice of music therapy.

Students attend the five introductory modules (total 750 hours) depending on their educational background. They focus on content from basic disciplines that are relevant to music therapy.

  • Introduction to music: Improvization, song accompaniment, instrumental skills
  • Introduction to basic medical and clinical principles: Anatomy/physiology, neurology, child psychopathology, adult psychopathology, emergency measures
  • Introduction to special education: General special education; special education diagnostics; differential special education
  • Introduction to psychology: General psychology
  • Introduction to self-awareness: 10 hours of music therapeutic, art therapeutic or psychotherapeutic self-awareness in groups or individually

The ten advanced modules (total 2,250 hours) are comprised of specific topics from music therapy theory and practice.

  • Music, advanced Improvization and composition; improvization as a form of experimenting and relationship building; instrumental skills
  • Music therapy theory, advanced: Theory building; music therapy literature; component teaching; therapeutic stance and relationship building; music therapy diagnosis; indication and contraindication; music and neurobiology
  • Professional studies, advanced: Music therapy in the institution; documentation of music therapy work; mental health; ethical implications; professional law; professional obligations and policy; setting up a music therapy position; setting up and running a practice
  • Methodology, advanced: Methods of music therapy; music therapy in groups; therapeutic process; music therapy methodology; intervention practice; conversation skills; rhythm; voice and breathing; music and movement
  • Medical and clinical principles, advanced: Child psychopathology; adult psychotherapy; psychosomatics
  • Special education, advanced: Differential special education
  • Psychology, advanced: Developmental psychology; psychotherapeutic approaches and methods; art therapy approaches and methods; age-specific psychotherapy; music biography; group dynamics
  • Self-awareness, advanced: Music therapy teaching for groups, music therapy teaching for individuals
  • Supervision, advanced: Small-group supervision, internship in individual supervision, music supervision, intertherapy, study support, annual evaluation
  • Professional practice, advanced: Internship 1; Internship 2

Methodology / Didactics

The study group also serves as a learning, training and self-awareness group. The course is taught in lectures and case studies (audio/video) with opportunities for self-awareness sequences. The participants also practise, discuss and consolidate the material by way of role, group work, seminars, peer consulting groups and talks, and reflect on what they learn in tutorials and feedback sessions.

The teaching method is designed around modern methods of adult education as well as independent and practice-based forms of learning.

Participants are expected to demonstrate a high level of personal responsibility, motivation and initiative, and be willing and able to work and cooperate in teams.