Faculty and Staff
Michael McGuire, Music Therapy
Department of Music & Dance
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-0292
michael.mcguire@emich.edu
Michael G. McGuire, M.M., MT-BC, Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of the Music Therapy Program, has been on EMU's faculty since 1983. Professor McGuire studied music therapy at Michigan State University and did his clinical training (internship) at Essex County Hospital Center (Cedar Grove, NJ). He has a Masters in Music degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia. His areas of expertise are in psychiatric music therapy, and music therapy for older adults, as well as adults who abuse substances. Professor McGuire teaches courses required for the Bachelor of Music Therapy. He observes students while they do music therapy practicum (field work) in the community, and he serves as the advisor for all music therapy majors.
He has won several awards and grants from the University and the American Music Therapy Association for his teaching, scholarly work, and service to students and the profession. Among these awards and grants are: a Distinguished Service to the Profession Award from
American Music Therapy Association (2003), the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Great Lakes Region (2005) of the AMTA, and an eFellows Grant from EMU to increase the use of technology in the music therapy curriculum (2006).
One of the accomplishments Professor McGuire is most proud of is the creation of the Music Therapy Center at EMU, which opened in January 2006. The Center is used for teaching and demonstrating music therapy clinical practice.
Professor McGuire has served in leadership positions in the Michigan Music Therapists Association, the Great Lakes Regional Chapter for Music Therapy, the National Association for Music Therapy (NAMT), and the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). He served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Certification Board for Music Therapists during 2004-2005, and he was a member of the Board from 2001 through 2005. CBMT is the only organization that certifies music therapists in the United States.
As Chair of the NAMT Task Force to Study the Feasibility of a Second Journal, Professor McGuire created Music Therapy Perspectives , and served as its founding editor for 10 years. During his tenure as editor, this journal garnered international recognition for its quality and content.
As Chair of the Professional Competencies Committee of NAMT, Professor McGuire conducted a 3-year research study that determined the Professional Competencies for all entry-level music therapists in the United States. These competencies have subsequently been adapted by AMTA. He is one of the original authors of the Self-Assessment Examination published by the CBMT, and he conducted the research that determined the bibliography that accompanies the examination.
In 2004, Professor McGuire published Psychiatric Music Therapy: The Legacy of Florence Tyson , which is a compilation of Tyson's work, who was a pioneering music therapist in New York City during the entire second half of the 20th century. The book has received several very favorable reviews.
Professor McGuire is highly committed to the success of the students in the Music Therapy Program. He provides individual support and attention to each of his students. Professor McGuire believes strongly in the effectiveness of Music Therapy, and conveys to music therapy students the importance of their work with individuals with special needs.
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