Music therapy uses music in therapeutic ways to help a variety of people. Accredited programs are available at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and students should check with their country’s association for approved schools. Most music therapists earn an undergraduate degree and can become certified. Some schools offer master’s degrees for further study.
Music therapy is the ever-evolving practice of using music in therapeutic ways to help a variety of people. It is not just used for mentally challenged people but can have a wide range of applications for sick people of all types. Those working in this field can hold a variety of degrees, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some programs are available at the doctoral level, although they are rare. What is most important for people who want to earn a degree in music therapy is finding an accredited program that will allow them to practice what they have learned.
There are different accreditation agencies in each country. The United States has the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and Canada the Canadian Music Therapy Association, for example. Those considering obtaining a music therapy degree should first check with the country association to see which schools the association approves. There’s no point in majoring in this field if it doesn’t allow students to practice what they’ve learned.
Even in relatively populous countries, there may not be many music therapy programs. The US has less than 100 approved by the AMTA. Knowing the location of schools lets people know where they can live while studying and what the costs might be. Each school also has different programs and requirements, but most people who enter this field must have musical skills. Most school programs require music proficiency or “talent” and students are likely to need this in whatever job they take on as a music therapist.
Most music therapists will earn a music therapy degree at the undergraduate level, which will allow them to work as a music therapist. In addition to musical talent, people who apply to a bachelor’s program are better off if they have good grades throughout high school and reasonable grades on the college entrance exam. Bachelor’s programs generally last about four years. In the US, when students complete their degree at an AMTA-approved school, they can take a national exam and become certified as a Music Therapist (MT-BC).
Although most countries do not require people to obtain a music therapy degree at the master’s level, some schools have this advanced degree for those students who wish to study further. As mentioned, there are few doctoral programs in this discipline. Most students who wish to earn a master’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, or must complete any coursework required by the graduate student before being accepted into a master’s program. This can vary by school program, and students can review individual requirements to see which apply.
A master’s degree in music therapy can be useful for psychology or music students who want to practice as a music therapist. Some schools admit students who have not completed music therapy courses provisionally. They may need a year of classes to fulfill bachelor’s requirements before studying at the master’s level. Alternatively, students with a different degree may just complete the necessary requirements to fulfill a second bachelor’s degree and thus receive the necessary training to practice in this field.
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