Music Therapy Jobs in Washington State
Music therapy is an invaluable tool that can assist individuals of all ages and abilities with managing mental health issues, developing cognitive skills, improving social interactions and more. In Washington State, music therapists have the opportunity to work in various settings including traditional clinical agencies serving individuals with disabilities as well as new and expanding health care delivery channels like hospice care, substance abuse programs, oncology treatment centers, pain/stress management clinics and correctional facilities.
In Washington State, in order to become a music therapist you must earn either a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and complete 1200 hours of clinical training. Furthermore, you must pass the national board certification exam and maintain your certification through ongoing music therapy education.
Earning an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in music therapy offers a comprehensive foundation in theory and practice of this profession. Many graduates go on to obtain doctorates to further their education or specialize in fields such as supervision, college teaching, administration, a particular method of therapy or population focussed practice.
A bachelor’s degree in music therapy consists of undergraduate courses and clinical internships that provide entry-level competencies for the profession. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the national board certification exam and earn the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified).
The master’s degree in music therapy enhances and deepens the clinical skills acquired through the bachelor’s program. During this advanced study, the credentialed music therapist takes a central and independent role in client treatment plans. This advanced professional practice necessitates an extensive comprehension of theory as well as an array of methods, rationales, and techniques designed specifically to meet each person’s individual needs in order to enhance their quality of life.
Some master’s programs in music therapy are interdisciplinary and emphasize the integration of advanced clinical skills within an expansive educational setting. Some programs specialize in specific areas like music education for children with special needs, while others concentrate on research, theory or development.
Most music therapists possess either a bachelor’s degree in music therapy or its equivalent and 1200 hours of clinical training. However, there are other opportunities to earn your master’s degree in this field; some programs even offer dual degrees whereby one degree in music therapy is combined with another related field such as psychology or rehabilitation science.
A music therapy degree typically lasts four years and prepares you for a six-month clinical internship. During this time, you’ll gain insight into using music therapy techniques with various client populations – both in classroom and clinical settings.