Do you need a college degree to practice Music Therapy?

YES- Of course!

However, we get asked this question all the time. Many people do not realize that Music Therapy is a bachelor’s degree, offered in over 70 colleges and universities in the United States. Many of these programs also have Masters and Doctorate level programs.

A bachelor’s degree in music therapy has many requirements. First, before the degree even begins, a musical audition is required to assess pre-existing musical skill on an instrument or voice. Some auditions also involve written music theory tests as well as interviews about music therapy. After passing the audition process, as well as meeting all other criteria for enrollment in the college or university, they can begin their 4+ years of studying music therapy. 

A music therapy degree includes coursework in music, music therapy, biology, psychology, social and behavioral sciences, and general studies. Here is a break down from the AMTA website of the subjects covered in a music therapy program:

Musical Foundations (45%)

• Music Theory

• Composition and Arranging

• Music History and Literature

• Applied Music Major

• Ensembles

• Conducting

• Functional Piano, Guitar, and Voice

Clinical Foundations (15%)

• Exceptionality and Psychopathology

• Normal Human Development

• Principles of Therapy

• The Therapeutic Relationship

Music Therapy (15%)

• Foundations and Principles

• Assessment and Evaluation

• Methods and Techniques

• Pre-Internship and Internship Courses

• Psychology of Music

• Music Therapy Research

• Influence of Music on Behavior

• Music Therapy with Various Populations

General Education (20-25%)

• English, Math, Social Sciences, Arts,

• Humanities, Physical Sciences, etc.

Electives (5%)

Many music therapy degree programs also include an upper division review. This is almost like another audition halfway through the degree program to ensure the student is making sufficient progress and is anticipated to become a successful music therapist. An upper division review can include singing while accompanying on guitar and piano, an interview, essays, and a written test.

Music therapy students have supervised clinical placements to begin applying their studies to working with clients. Many programs offer a variety of clinical placements on and off campus to give their students many different learning experiences.

 Outside of coursework alone, music therapy students are often involved with advocacy for the music therapy profession. They are involved in music therapy benefit concerts to raise awareness and raise funds for different causes, sometimes including campus music therapy clinics. Music therapy students in different states are often involved in hill days where they go to the capitol to speak with senators and representatives about current music therapy legislation. It varies in each state, but some of the bills waiting to be passed involve specific state music therapy licensure, insurance coverage for music therapy, Medicaid waivers for music therapy, and other bills to work towards making music therapy accessible to more people. Advocacy starts as a student, then continues throughout professional life.

After completing 4+ years of coursework, music therapy students must complete a 1200+ hour supervised internship. Typically, this is six-months of interning at a facility such as a hospital, school, private practice, therapy center, retirement home, residential home, etc. During the internship, the music therapy student will assess the needs of clients, develop and implement treatment plans, and evaluate and document clinical changes.

After successful completion of all coursework and the six-month internship, the music therapy graduates will then be required to take and pass the national board certification exam. The exam is administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). After passing the exam, the music therapist will receive the credentials MT-BC, music therapist, board certified, and will be eligible to practice music therapy in the United States. There are advanced degrees for music therapists including graduate degrees and doctoral degrees. There are also specialized credentials and certifications music therapists can earn through additional classes and trainings.  

In addition to all of the coursework, internship, and board exam requirements, to earn a music therapy degree also requires hard work, passion, empathy, dedication, and creativity.