Music therapy is the practice of using music in therapeutic ways to assist a wide range of people. It may have a wide range of applications for ill people of all kinds, not just those who are mentally ill. Workers in this field can hold a variety of degrees, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees. PhD programs are available in some cases, but they are uncommon. The most important thing for people who want to get a music therapy degree is to find an accredited program where they can put what they’ve learned into practice.
Each country has its own credentialing organization. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is based in the United States, while the Canadian Association for Music Therapy is based in Canada. Those interested in pursuing a music therapy degree should first check with their country’s association to see which schools they approve. It’s pointless to pursue a degree in this field if students won’t be able to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Even in countries with large populations, music therapy programs may be scarce. The AMTA has approved less than 100 in the United States. Knowing where schools are located allows people to plan where they will live while pursuing a degree and how much it will cost. Each school has its own set of programs and requirements, but the majority of people who work in this field must be musically inclined. Most school programs demand musical ability or “talent,” and students will almost certainly need it if they pursue a career as a music therapist.
The majority of music therapists will obtain a music therapy degree while still in school, allowing them to work as a music therapist. Aside from musical ability, students applying to a BA program should have good overall high school grades and reasonable college entrance exam scores. Bachelor’s degrees typically last four years. Students in the United States can take a national exam to become a board-certified music therapist after completing coursework at an AMTA-approved school (MT-BC).
Although most countries do not require people to obtain a master’s degree in music therapy, some schools do offer this advanced degree for students who wish to pursue their studies further. As previously stated, there are few doctoral programs in this field. Most students who want to get a master’s degree in music therapy need to have a bachelor’s degree in music therapy or have completed all of the prerequisite coursework for a bachelor’s degree before being accepted into a master’s program. This varies school program, so students should check individual requirements to see which ones apply to them.
Students who want to work as music therapists and have a bachelor’s degree in either psychology or music might benefit from a master’s degree in music therapy. Some schools will accept students who haven’t finished their music therapy coursework on a provisional basis. Prior to pursuing a master’s degree, they may need to take a year of classes to complete bachelor’s degree requirements. Alternatively, students with a different degree may simply complete the requirements for a second bachelor’s degree, providing them with the necessary training to practice in this field.