SMU Removes Music Therapy Major From Review

Southern Methodist University dropped its music therapy major from a review of low-producing programs after students and alumni pushed back.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Autism

SMU Removes Music Therapy Major From Review

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Should colleges cut low-enrollment programs like music therapy, even when graduates are successful?

Southern Methodist University removed its music therapy major from its review under a sustainability policy for low-producing programs, which had been triggered by low enrollment. The program has 18 enrolled students, and students, faculty and alumni had advocated for it to continue.

Why it matters

The decision keeps a program open that supporters say produces licensed music therapists at a consistent rate, with every graduate of the past 10 years becoming licensed. It reflects how universities weigh enrollment against the professional outcomes of smaller specialized programs.

Music therapy programs in this case are measured by licensure outcomes rather than enrollment alone: all 18 currently enrolled students are in a major where every graduate of the past decade became a licensed music therapist. The source does not indicate whether future enrollment changes would prompt another review.

The players

Southern Methodist University

A private research university in Dallas, Texas, which made the decision to remove the music therapy major from its sustainability review.

Meadows School of the Arts

The arts school at Southern Methodist University that houses the music therapy program.

The details

Students learned the major was under review on August 19, the same day the program's 50th anniversary celebration was canceled. Recent alumni started a petition in support of the program, and students are conducting outreach to schools in Arizona and Dallas to promote music therapy and expand its visibility beyond the Meadows School of the Arts.

August 19: Students learned the major was under review and the 50th anniversary celebration was canceled.
Wednesday, October 21: Students were informed the program was no longer under review.

Big Picture

Music therapy credentials are tied to certification through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, and this case shows that strong licensure outcomes do not automatically protect a small specialized program from enrollment-based review. The decision at SMU is a test of whether such programs are judged on professional output or headcount alone.

For families considering music therapy for a child or adult, the program's continued operation at SMU keeps a local training pipeline available. Students are also conducting outreach to schools in Arizona and Dallas to raise awareness of the service.

The takeaway

Programs that produce a consistent professional outcome can still be vulnerable when enrollment is the primary measure under a sustainability policy. Readers following specialized health training should watch whether enrollment-based reviews extend to similar programs.