You are reading this post because you want to know more about the Music Therapy Online Degree. Yes! You can actually get this degree online from the comfort of your home or workplace. In this article, we are going to consider what the music therapy degree entails, it’s career prospects, top universities offering it online etc.
What Is Music Therapy Degree?
The music therapy degree is a professional music degree that requires an audition to be accepted into a music institution. The American Music Therapy Association has authorized degree programs at more than 70 schools and universities that provide this specialized degree (AMTA).
The degree lasts four years or longer and involves 1200 hours of clinical training, which is a combination of fieldwork experience incorporated in music therapy classes and an internship after all coursework is completed. The music therapy degree aims to teach professional skills in three areas: music, music therapy, and relevant scientific and psychology curriculum. Coursework and clinical training address the theoretical and practical application of music therapy treatment processes and techniques, allowing students to expand their knowledge and skills. The competences are acquired in the classroom as well as via mandatory fieldwork with at least three different populations at community-based and/or on-campus clinics that serve people with disabilities. The internship is the culmination of the education and training.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, students are able to take the national certification exam for the credential Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC), which is required for professional practice. The Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) administers the national test (CBMT).
Masters Degree In Music Therapy
A music therapist with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy might pursue a master’s degree in music therapy to further their professional knowledge in advanced and specialized sectors such as supervision, college teaching, administration, a specific approach, orientation, or population. The master’s degree programs offer a variety of titles that are closely related to curricular design.
The Master of Science in Music Therapy, for example, places advanced music therapy studies in the framework of allied health and physical sciences, whereas the Master of Music Therapy places advanced music therapy studies in the context of theory, research, and practice in music therapy.
A master’s degree in music therapy expands the depth and breadth of a credentialed music therapist’s therapeutic skills. These skills, when combined with enough time and depth in professional music therapy practice, allow the music therapist to obtain a full awareness of the client’s clinical process and the therapist’s impact on it. Through such encounters, the music therapist goes beyond didactic knowledge to incorporate logic, theories, therapy approaches, and self-awareness in order to improve client growth and development. The advanced music therapist takes a central and independent role in client treatment plans, based on a thorough understanding and integration of theories and practices in assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination.
Music Therapy Degree Online
As part of your degree, you can pursue music therapy courses online that are approved by the American Music Therapy Association. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in music therapy are available at various levels. Continuing education approved by the Certification Board of Music Therapists is also accessible for credit online and may target specific strategies, issues, or demographics. In a hospital, clinic, social service program, or other therapeutic context, music therapists may operate independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in music therapy provide online courses. Music technology, music therapy theory, and music therapy diversity are some of the topics that may be explored.
What Can You Do With a Degree In Music Therapy?
Simply put, a music therapist uses music to engage and rehabilitate people suffering from a variety of ailments. However, music therapy is more complicated than simply playing a CD for a patient to relax. Instead, therapists in this sector must tailor each patient’s treatment to their personal needs.
This plan could include finding or making music, dancing or moving while listening, and encouraging the client or patient to participate. People come to music therapy for a variety of reasons, including recovering from a physical injury, psychological issues such as stage fright, or having a condition that necessitates continuing therapy.
You’ll create activities that go along with the listening experience, in addition to delivering specific musical compositions to your clientele. You might go over lyrics with customers, assist them in visualizing pictures to go along with the music, or lead dancing or movement sessions. Many music therapists are also musicians. In fact, some college programs mandate instrumental studies as electives.
If you’re already a good player—or even if you just like plucking the strings occasionally—you’ll probably love this part of your instruction. One of the positives of working in this field is being able to share your passion for music with your clients. You can teach others after many years of expertise in a variety of music therapy settings. Additional degrees or certifications are frequently required for music therapist instructors.
Teaching others how to deliver treatment, on the other hand, could be the pinnacle of your profession. Working at a higher level can also be more profitable than working at a lower level. Beyond a professorship, though, there isn’t much room for progression.
Music Therapist Career Outlook
Music therapy is predicted to expand faster than the national average during the next eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2018, the United States employed roughly 19,800 recreational therapists. However, forecasts show that employment levels for music therapists will be about 21,200 by 2028, so if you’re thinking about a career change, a music therapy career could be a great choice.
You’ll probably need to enroll in a clinical experience where you’ll work with real clients while you’re in school. This experience can aid in the development of your career goals, such as where you want to work and who you want to serve.
Joining professional groups like the American Music Therapy Association and others can help you advance your career. Additionally, becoming Board Certified may open up new doors for you as a result of your professional association.
Of all, you can’t expect to make the highest salary on record when you’re just starting out in the industry. You’ll most likely earn at the bottom end of the music therapist salary scale throughout your first four years of employment.
How Much Does a Music Therapist Make?
Salary information for music therapists is difficult to come by. After all, recreational therapy is a wide term that encompasses this field. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides data on median salary and job prospects for this industry. A music therapist, for example, earns $23.18 per hour on average. This equates to a yearly salary of $49,220.
A Board-Certified music therapist’s hourly salary is roughly $22.99 per hour, according to professionals who record their earnings to Payscale. It’s worth mentioning that at this wage bracket, more than half of the respondents stated they were in the “early career” stage. On the other hand, more experienced therapists can earn up to $31.12 per hour. Salaries also differ greatly depending on where you work.
Let us now consider some of the top schools offering Music Therapy Degree online.
Top Schools Offering Music Therapy Degree Online
Purdue Institution Global, Inc (PG) is an adult-serving public university that is part of the Purdue University system and operates as a public-benefit corporation. Purdue University Global’s programs, which are largely given online, focus on career-oriented fields of study at the credential, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Concord Law School and four actual classroom locations round out the university’s offerings. Purdue Global was founded in April 2018 after Purdue University acquired and rebranded the erstwhile for-profit private Kaplan University.
Under the supervision of Purdue University, Kaplan Higher Education continues to provide non-academic support services such as recruitment, admissions, human resources, marketing, and technology support on a contract basis, and the majority of academic staff are former Kaplan workers. The academic offices of PG are located in West Lafayette, Indiana; the main campus (for accrediting reasons) is located in Indianapolis, Indiana; and the online support centers are located in Chicago and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Grand Canyon University
The College of Fine Arts and Production at GCU offers this instrumental music performing degree. The stimulating curriculum allows students to hone their musical skills while also learning about music theory and history.
Students receive intense music training in private lessons, learning to master the art of solo performance as well as preparing for collaborative group performances. GCU’s music department presents formal public recitals including junior and senior music performance majors, instructors, and guest performers on a regular basis.
Music has the ability to uplift the soul and promote unity, and it is a worldwide language that knows no bounds. A music performance degree can help you achieve your aim of sharing your passion for music with others and inspiring them to reach new heights.
By completing a BA in instrumental music performance, you can pursue your passion for music while laying the groundwork for a meaningful and influential performance career. For ambitious musicians who want to devote their lives to music, Grand Canyon University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an Emphasis in Instrumental Performance degree. Students will polish their performance skills and gain self-confidence in numerous performance contexts within a friendly and collaborative learning community.
Southern New Hampshire University
Many SNHU students, whether they major or minor in a music-related discipline or not, find music to be an important part of their lives.
Music is more than a course of study at SNHU. It’s a creative outlet for pupils, allowing them to pursue their interests while also producing something beautiful. It’s a chance for students to get together and express their passion for rock, jazz, orchestral music, acapella, and other genres of music. It’s also an opportunity for students to connect with the larger community, since non-SNHU students come to play alongside both young and old musicians.
There are many of places to listen to music in this town. In collaboration with Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music, SNHU offers an MBA in Music Business. There is even a Music minor for those who, despite majoring in other subjects, do not want to give up music.
The online Master of Music in Music Therapy degree program at Colorado State University focuses on how to utilize music to help people heal and recover. You’ll find out how neurological music therapists help people with mental illnesses including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and autism. Music theory, psychology, music therapy treatments, and research methodology are among the subjects covered in the curriculum.
To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and be certified by the American Board of Music Therapy. Although the majority of the curriculum is delivered online, you must visit the Fort Collins, Colorado campus once a year to complete coursework that is not delivered online. You have the choice of submitting a thesis or not submitting a thesis.
How To Apply For Admission To Study Music Therapy Online?
To apply for admission into a music therapy online school is quite easy. All you have to do is contact the university offering Online music therapy and request for online admission form. Once you receive it, make sure you fill it correctly with your information and submit it back to the school. If your application is accepted, the school will send you admission letter containing all the information about the program.
Should I know how to play instrument before I practice music therapy?
At least one musical ability is common among music therapists. Music therapists must be able to sing and play at least one instrument as a minimum requirement.
Among music therapists, the guitar and piano are the most commonly used instruments. However, the examples provided above demonstrate how new technologies are making their way into the healthcare setting. Electronic music is becoming more popular as a therapeutic technique, implying that your instrument of choice could be one or two of several.
What is music therapy equivalency program?
A Music Therapy Equivalency Program is offered by some universities. These courses provide students with only the credits they need to earn a music therapy degree that they were missing in their earlier education.
An equivalency program is a fantastic option to avoid doing all of the coursework required for a complete Bachelor’s degree in music therapy if you already have a Bachelor of Arts in Music or any other number of music degrees. To become a board-certified music therapist, you’ll largely take prerequisite courses in psychology, education, and clinical practice.
What licenses do you need to become a music therapist?
You will get the MT-BC (Music Therapist – Board-Certified) credential after passing the MT-BC Examination. The majority of music therapy positions require this.
Music Therapy Trade Associations
Trade associations, like any other profession, provide support and direction to music therapists as they pursue their goals. People who are interested in music therapy or who practice it and need to keep up with current advances can benefit from trade organisations.
Music therapy, as an educational and therapeutic field, necessitates ongoing professional development. Music therapists must be relicensed by the Certification Board for Music Therapists on a regular basis, just like your high school teacher must take “professional development days” (CBMT).
Music Therapist Certification Board – This is a group of leading music therapists in their area. To become a music therapist, you must pass the MT-BC Exam, which they conduct.
American Music Therapy Association is the primary advocacy and promotion organization for music therapy in the United States. They develop industry-wide music therapy standards and collaborate with the CBMT on licensing, certification, and accreditation for colleges that provide music therapy programs.
World Federation of Music Therapy — Founded in 1985 in Italy, the World Federation of Music Therapy promotes music therapy around the world, sponsors research, and raises worldwide standards.
If you want to study music therapy, you’ll need to choose the appropriate school for you, not just the right institution. Inside Music Schools develops a customised plan for getting you into the ideal educational environment for you based on your professional objectives and ambitions.
