Best College for Music Therapy
No matter where you’re starting or moving up in your career, finding the ideal college for music therapy can be a challenge. Look for programs with reasonable tuition prices, great clinical placement opportunities and top-notch academic staff.
The ideal colleges for music therapy offer a blend of music therapy methods with mental health counseling, medical sciences theories and approaches, basic art/dance/movement therapist training. Furthermore, these colleges provide multiple supervised adult and child clinical placement opportunities at hospitals, behavioral health facilities, community-based organizations, schools, continuing care facilities, correctional institutions, etc.
You should seek a program that integrates instrumental and vocal improvisation, composition, re-creative visualization methods in music psychotherapy and counseling, as well as medical music therapy. Furthermore, an interdisciplinary curriculum should offer instruction in psychology, neuroscience, disabling conditions patient assessment/diagnosis treatment plan development/implementation professional standards ethics research evaluation record-keeping.
Additionally, when searching for a school to pursue music therapy in, it’s essential to look one that boasts an impressive graduation rate and small class sizes. These factors will likely contribute to better retention rates and create an encouraging learning atmosphere.
In addition to tuition and fees being affordable, you should look for a campus that is close to clinical facilities. Doing so can save you time and money on gas or parking expenses.
The University of Missouri offers an outstanding master’s degree in music therapy with a 100% job placement rate. This program is open to those with or without an undergraduate music therapy degree; however, students must complete six month internship to become certified.
Are you interested in becoming a certified music therapist? The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers the most cost-effective Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree that meets MT-BC certification requirements. With courses like Musical Styles and Instrumental Techniques plus 1,200 fieldwork hours, you can earn this credential within 48 months full time!
This budget-friendly bachelor’s program is ideal for those with a bachelor’s degree in music or related fields, as well as those who hold either a master’s or doctorate in this area. You have your choice of traditional format or online learning – both available!
For those without an undergraduate music degree, the University of Iowa’s Music Therapy Institute offers a Master of Arts (MA) in music therapy that is available both online and on-campus. The MA requires either an internship or thesis project.
Through the University of Iowa, it’s possible to earn a PhD in music therapy. This research-driven 36 credit hour program incorporates courses from psychology, music theory and music therapy.
You should also search for a school that provides graduate degrees in music therapy for those already certified and wanting to advance their career. The University of Iowa is the largest teaching hospital in America, so there are plenty of internship opportunities available for students.
Additionally, search for a school with an impressive music ensemble program and faculty with expertise in various clinical settings. Options might include Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired individuals, Mind-Body Disciplines for Musicians, or Community Music Therapy.
