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Andrea Crimmins

Professor of Music Therapy
School of Music
Office
JH Julian Hall 61
  • About
  • Education
  • Research

Biography

Dr. Crimmins has been teaching music therapy at Illinois State University since 2009. She earned her doctorate in music therapy from the University of Kansas, where her primary research focused on aggression disorders and abnormal psychology. Before entering academia, she worked as a music therapist and treatment team coordinator at a state forensic psychiatric facility. Her clinical experience also includes work in addiction recovery, hospice care, dementia care, and long-term residential care for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Crimmins remains actively engaged in the music therapy profession at the international, national, and local levels. She has presented widely at conferences and workshops and currently serves on the Board of Directors as Chair for the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Current Courses

MUS 442.001 Current Trends & Issues In Music Therapy

MUS 499.004 Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

MUS 443.001 Music Therapy in Mental Health Settings

Teaching Interests & Areas

Research
Graduate Thesis Advisement
Influence of Music on Behavior
Current Trends in Music Therapy
The Use of Music Therapy in Mental Health

PhD Music Therapy

University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

MM Music Therapy

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

BA Music/Voice/Piano

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Presentations

Music Therapy Licensure and Certification. Music Therapy Students at Maryville University. Maryville University. (2025)
Music Therapy in Medical Settings. SIU School of Medicine First-Year Medical Students. Southern Illinois University. (2025)
The Use of Music Therapy for Addiction Recovery. UMKC Music Therapy Students Meeting. University of Missouri Kansas City. (2025)
Music Therapy in Dementia Care. Alzheimer's Support Group. Carriage Crossing Assisted Living and Memory Care Unity. (2023)
The Influence of Music on Behavior. Truman State Univeristy Music Therapy Students. Truman State Univeristy. (2022)
The Use of Music for Enhancing Cognition in Older Adults. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Neurologic Communication Disorders and Cognitive Wellness Lab. ISU Communications Disorders Department. (2020)