Music Therapy Capilano University

Overview

The Music Therapy programme at Capilano University provides students with the essential clinical skills and musical proficiency required to excel as professional therapists. This comprehensive degree focuses on using creative expression to support diverse populations, including children with autism and elderly patients living with dementia.

Students begin their specialised therapeutic training in the third year of study, following two years of foundational work in music theory and psychology. The curriculum is designed to foster deep self-awareness and professionalism, ensuring graduates are prepared for the complexities of modern healthcare and private practice environments.

Why Music Therapy at Capilano University?

Established in 1978, this was the first training programme of its kind in Canada and remains the longest-running in the country. Students benefit from the largest team of music therapy instructors in any Canadian institution, offering decades of collective clinical experience and diverse expertise.

The university employs a distinctive Private Music Instructor model that helps students develop both their musicianship and their unique identity as a therapist. Facilities and partnerships allow for practicums in almost every semester, ensuring that classroom learning is immediately applied to real-world scenarios with actual clients.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 60832 per full
• National fee: CAD 18163 per full

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to build from foundational music and social science knowledge into advanced clinical practice. Modules may include:

Basis of Admission

• University Writing Strategies
• Psychology I
• Psychology II
• Child Development
• Theory of Tonal Music and Jazz
• Theory
• Ear Training and Sight Singing
• Jazz History
• Music History

Third Year

• Improvisation
• Clinical Skills
• Influence of Music
• Music Therapy
• Health Conditions of Adulthood
• Counselling and Interpersonal Skills
• Health Conditions of Childhood
• Practicum
• Psychopathology

Fourth Year

• Music and the Creative Arts
• Group Dynamics
• Research
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Statistical Methods in Psychology

Fifth Year

• Pre-Professional Practicum

Careers with Music Therapy

Graduates are prepared for a variety of professional roles within the healthcare, education, and arts sectors. The programme provides specific coaching for real-world auditions, interviews, and career planning to help students secure employment in competitive clinical environments.

Common career paths for alumni include working as certified music therapists in hospitals, palliative care wards, and mental health centres. Others find success as specialised educators, professional musicians, or private music teachers, often working in contract-based or institutional settings across Canada.