I. Approved programs
shall include in their curricula certain educational requirements as listed below.
1.1. Screening Process:
Approved programs will have an admission screening process, admitting candidates who demonstrate
appropriate musical skills, interpersonal skills and suitability. Admission decisions shall be made without discrimination
based upon gender, race or religious affiliation. The approved program will request that each applicant submit letters
of recommendation and / or references.
1.2. Required Reading:
Approved programs will require that students submit book reviews of selected books from the Program’s required book
list. The program’s required book list will include books which cover a broad range of topics, such as: music,
healthcare, integrative medicine and healing, the science of sound, topics on death and dying, self-care, and the art of service.
1.3. Independent
Study Internship: Approved programs will require graduating students to complete an Independent Study Internship, fulfilled
by completion of a minimum of 40 bedside hours at approved facilities. The 40 hours of internship are to be specifically 40
hours of playing therapeutic music at the bedside. This does not include other time spent in the facility, conversation with
staff, family or the patient, or record keeping. A completed intern log for each patient session along with a site supervisor
form is to be included in completed course work.
1.4. Continuing Education:
Approved programs will request that graduates complete ongoing Continuing Education as required and approved by their certifying program.
The approved Continuing Education will be the equivalent of 40 hours every four years, and must directly enhance the work
of the therapeutic musician.
1.5. Final Music
Submission: Approved programs will require
a final music submission along with an evaluation report from site supervisor or mentor. Each student is minimally
required to present an audio sample demonstrating musical ability and appropriate music, and any other final submissions the
approved program deems fit in order to graduate their students.
II. Approved Programs shall teach the subject of Clinical
Protocols. These shall include certain areas of study:
2.1. Assessment techniques
and processes. Students will learn to develop their senses and critical thinking skills;
how to unobtrusively gather information from the environment, colleagues, and the patient, in order
to develop an immediate course of action in providing therapeutic music to the patient.
2.2. Reporting methods/logging and/or charting: Students will learn about
the various sources of referrals and intake forms. Students will learn the general reporting/monitoring paper-flow systems
in healthcare set forth by JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), which includes medical records,
patient record keeping, and reporting. Students will learn the proper and critical information required for reporting and
logging patient hours.
2.3. Infection control/bio hazards: Students will learn about infection control and Universal
Precautions: Students will learn about inoculation
requirements for healthcare workers in their respective state/country. Students will learn about biohazards, airborne and
tactile microbial and viral infections, how to personally handle such situations, and general healthcare
procedures regarding patient contact.
2.4. Case Studies: Students will review case studies concerning clinical
situations with non-
ambulatory patients. Students
will review or participate in case studies where difficult bedside situations require the student
to consider possible reactions and outcomes.
2.5. General understanding of monitoring equipment: Students will learn about the various
types of devices that monitor patients’ vital signs and will be briefed on standard equipment as an introduction to
various diagnostic and life sustaining devices.
III. Approved Programs
will teach healthcare basics, professional behavior and terminology.
3.1. Students will be prepared to provide individualized therapeutic music for patients of many ages and conditions who
are receiving healthcare services in institutional settings such as hospitals, clinics, hospices, nursing homes, and out-patient
healthcare facilities, as well as those receiving homecare as an extension of rehabilitative, hospice and palliative care.
3.2. Students will
be oriented to the unique, professional skills required
to work in different types of healthcare facilities as part of a healthcare team. They will be taught about accountability
and liability issues, policies and procedures, medical and administrative terminology specific to healthcare.
3.3. Students will
be introduced to basic human anatomy and physiology.
3.4. Students will be taught
the importance of proper dress code, cleanliness and good health. Training will include information about the potential negative
affects of body scents and perfumes. Confidentiality laws and related issues, and proper deportment with patients, administrators,
other workers and clinicians in the healthcare environment will be addressed.
IV. Approved Programs will
emphasize Deepening Perceptual Awareness.
4.1. Students will
be taught theoretical models, multi-level processes and/or
methods to assess and serve a patient. These models, processes
and/or methods,
which are based on both scientific and spiritual studies of consciousness, may
include, but not be
limited to: increasing awareness about self and others through
perceptual observation; enhancement of natural sensitivities
and empathy; the power of intention; and energetic medicine. Therapeutic Musicians recognize and respect diverse spiritual
pathways in their work.
V. Approved Programs will teach Fundamentals of Music Theory
and Music Application.
5.1. Students will be taught
the fundamentals of music theory, how to improvise, modulate and play modal music, and about the intrinsic healing value of
music. Students will learn to use the elemental qualities of music and healing musicianship in order to best serve the patients.
5. 2. For satisfactory program
graduation, students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of their principle instrument/voice, and play individualized
music at a minimum of intermediate level of proficiency for the patient circumstances. Candidates must play and/or sing in
tune, smoothly and without hesitation. They will be required to demonstrate proficiency in improvisation and modulation, and
have a repertoire of appropriate duration that meets the needs of many different types of patients.
VI. Approved Programs will include in their curricula the
Theory and Holistic Application of the Physics of Sound.
6.1. An understanding of the characteristics and primary elements of sound, specifically how
frequency, vibration, and resonance affect the human body, is fundamental to the practice of therapeutic music. Students will
learn how these principles can be used through musical elements to facilitate healing. Students learn about the mechanics
of sound, relative to various resonant-based methods, and techniques that can address an individual patient’s condition.
Students study the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual effects of therapeutically applied music.
VII. Approved Programs will include a course on Introduction
to the Healthcare Business
7.1. Approved programs will
provide students with basic business tools including: writing proposals, invoicing, interview techniques, marketing, networking
and employment strategies that are needed to support the successful practice of a therapeutic musician.
VIII. Approved Programs will teach Self-Care
8.1.Students will be taught basic ergonomics and appropriate posture as
applied to the use of their musical instruments and/or voice. They will be taught stress reduction techniques and various
self-care processes for maintaining optimum physical, mental and emotional health as a therapeutic musician.
IX. Graduate Titles
9.1. A program accredited
by the NSBTM will maintain its unique graduate title.
9.2. Only graduates of Programs
accredited by the NSBTM may use the title TMus™ (therapeutic musician) as a prefix to their Program-granted title.
