Faculty of Pedagogy and Social Work of Liepaja University offers high-quality, innovative and exciting studies in three streams: Education, Pedagogy and Sports, Healthcare and Social Welfare. That is an opportunity to expand the borders of your knowledge and skills, creatively seek answers to questions, as well as facilitate professional growth for creative self-experience and work in various social environments, by providing consistent feedback and critical self-reflection. In order to accomplish that, cooperation and voluntary partnerships with government offices and non-governmental organizations are respected, by facilitating progress of innovations and orienting students to comprehension of their investment in the maintaining of the quality of life and ensuring sustainable development of themselves and future generations.
Liepaja Music Therapy Center (MTC) was opened in August of 2004 with the financial help of German social organization “Aktion Mensch” and was the first music therapy center in Latvia. MTC leader since the establishing till 2012 was docent of Liepaja University (LiepU), music therapist Mirdza Paipare. In September of 2012, Liepaja Music Therapy Center became a part of the Liepaja University and works under supervision of LiepU Faculty of Pedagogy and Social Work. Its current leader is LiepU lecturer, music therapist Līga Enģele. The defined directions of operation of LiepU MTC are to exercise scientific research in the area of music therapy and facilitate the professional development of the music therapists by promoting and applying into praxis innovative methods and approaches in music therapy, as well as providing the students with opportunities to develop research and professional skills, using the latest evaluation tools of the music therapy. LiepU MTC development perspectives are to develop scientific and professional cooperation with other structural entities of LiepU, Music Therapy Foundation, Association of Latvian Art Therapy, Association of Latvian Music Therapy, Association of Latvian Professional Rehabilitation Organizations, Liepaja Regional Hospital, Liepaja Educational Administration and other institutions in Latvia and abroad, develop and participate in projects of interdisciplinary areas, as well as carry out gathering and systematizing of scientific literature and methodical materials.
An NGO “Association of Latvian Music Therapy” (ALMuT) was established on November 24, 2005. The goals of the association include facilitation of the health and wellbeing of the society by uniting the music therapists of Latvia, organization and coordination of the work of the Association of Latvian Music Therapy in connection with protection and promoting of music therapist profession, development of a cooperation with similar professional organizations in Latvia and abroad. ALMuT is a non-governmental non-profit organization, that unites music therapists in Latvia, and it operates according to the laws of Latvian Republic. According to the bylaws of the NGO, ALMuT has scientific, professional and educational character. The members of the Association of Latvian Music Therapy are also members of the European Music Therapy Confederation – EMTC. Only persons who have fully acquired education of music therapist can be members of the association, but students and other interested persons can be the candidates of membership. The website of the Association of Latvian Music Therapy is: www.muzikasterapija.lv