Professor Ron Borczon and the staff of CSUN’s Music Therapy Wellness Clinic.

A recent ranking by BestValueSchools.org hailed CSUN’s music therapy program as the No. 2 Most Affordable Music Therapy Degree nationwide.

In compiling its top 20 list, BestValueSchools.org used data from the National Center for Education Statistics website to determine the rankings, focusing on four main criteria — tuition value, total enrollment, admission rate and graduation rate — with tuition being the most significant category.

Music therapy uses singing, playing instruments, dancing and other musical activities to address an individual’s needs, such as improving cognitive coordination, social skills and confidence, and alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Music therapists are credentialed professionals who must have completed an approved music therapy program.

Professor Ron Borczon.

CSUN’s Music Therapy program, located within the CSUN Department of Music, strives to prepare students to earn board certifications and build meaningful careers as clinicians and educators within the music therapy field. Since its establishment in 1984, under the leadership of professor Ron Borczon, it remains one of just two music therapy B.A. programs of its kind in California. In 1996, Borczon also led the establishment of the Music Therapy Wellness Clinic, which serves children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities in Los Angeles through music therapy techniques.

CSUN offers students majoring in music the option of specializing in music therapy, as well as a post-bachelor’s certificate program. Undergraduate students interested in the music therapy program must pass an audition, attend private lessons provided by the university and demonstrate progress in front of a jury every semester. Culminating the program, students undergo a supervised clinical internship as their capstone project.

CSUN Department of Music, Mike Curb College of Arts Media and Communication, Music Therapy, Music Therapy Wellness Clinic