Hannah Bush,
MMT, MT-BC
West Virginia University
- Position
- Assistant Professor, Human Performance - Physical Therapy
- Phone
- 304-581-1615
Music Therapy
Board certified music therapists (MT-BC) are musicians who have the unique opportunity to put their passion for music to work to improve health outcomes for patients with serious illnesses or conditions. They use a wide variety of instruments and music experiences to help babies, children, adolescents, adults and older adults work toward non-music goals related to education, health, rehabilitation, and wellness needs. Music therapists provide services for persons with various diagnoses and are usually members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
The profession offers opportunities in a variety of settings including medical hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community mental health agencies, senior living communities, schools, and private practice. Across the WVU Medicine system, for example, patients of all ages can benefit from music-based intervention in a variety of settings: the WVU Cancer Institute, the level IV NICU at WVU Medicine Children's, and at satellite locations like Camden Clark Medical Center.
Education and Training
The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) have strict standards for music degrees including music therapy. The music therapy program at WVU structures learning outcomes to meet the accreditation standards set by both NASM and AMTA.
Didactic instruction in music therapy is offered through the WVU College of Creative Arts. The music therapy plan of study includes courses in fundamental musicianship, music therapy, psychology, special education, health sciences, and human development. Students who wish to major in music therapy audition on the principal instrument of their choice and will learn piano, guitar, and voice skills within the plan of study.
Clinical instruction in music therapy at WVU is overseen by Prof. Hannah Bush, a faculty member with appointments in both the Schools of Music and Medicine. Students in the WVU Music Therapy program complete six clinical practica with a variety of populations and a 900-clinical hour (approximately 6-month, full-time) internship experience. These practica begin during the sophomore year and are taken concurrently with lecture-based courses in music therapy, providing both in-class and community-based interactive components. The successful completion of the internship experience is required for the degree to be awarded and to be eligible for the national board certification exam (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
Students from other universities in the United States may also apply to complete clinical internships at WVU Medicine by submitting the linked internship application.
Clinical Education Requirements
Prior to completing internships or other clinical activities involving direct patient care, students enrolled in the School of Medicine and interns at WVU Medicine must comply with certain insurance, health, and immunization requirements. These vary by program; current information for Music Therapy BM students and interns is provided below.
- Vaccinations:
- Students must complete the Hepatitis B series of 3 vaccinations.
- Students are required to have two (2) documented Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
- Students are required to have two (2) documented Varicella (chickenpox) vaccinations OR submit a positive IgG antibody titer.
- Students must have a diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (Tdap) booster within the past 10 years and it must be kept current for the duration of the program.
- Students must have completed the primary series and booster for polio (4-shot series).
- The University requires all students to have the meningococcal vaccine.
- Students must submit annual documentation of a flu shot administered during current flu season (e.g., September to December).
- Testing:
- Tuberculosis: All students must have a one-step Mantoux PPD or QuantiFERON TB Gold test administered within 30 days of the start of rotation. The student must have this repeated on an annual basis for the duration of the program. If a student receives a positive result, they must submit documentation on letter indicating physician clearance.
- Training:
- All students are required to complete training for awareness and compliance with the patient privacy regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This training must be renewed annually and is located on SOLE.
- All students must be trained in standards for preventing transmission of blood borne and other infectious agents. This training must be renewed annually and is located on SOLE.
Contact Us
Interested in studying music therapy at WVU or pursuing internship opportunities at WVU Medicine? Contact Prof. Bush via her profile below.
Are you an alum or supporter of the music therapy program? Please complete the linked form to ensure we have your most up-to-date contact information or visit our donations page to provide direct monetary support and help future music therapists have the tools they need to succeed!