What are careers in music therapy?

Music therapy and counseling are careers related to music therapy. A degree in music therapy combines instruction in both music theory and psychology.

• Music Therapist

  To pursue a career as a music therapist, you must first find an accredited music therapy program. The American Music Therapy Association provides a list of approved music therapy undergraduate and graduate programs.

  A bachelor's or master's degree in music therapy is necessary to then begin amassing the 1,200 hours of clinical experience necessary to take the national board certification exam and apply for licensure within the state that you intend to work.

  Music therapists use music to help patients with mental health conditions, addictions, and physical pain. The therapy may consist of patients listening to selected music or actually participating in the creation of music through the use of a musical instrument.

• Counselor

  Because a degree in musical therapy consists of coursework related to counseling and psychology, a career in counseling is possible. Because mental health counseling is a very specialized field, it is necessary for someone with a degree in music therapy to pursue a master's degree in social work, counseling, or psychology.

  This, along with board certification and state licensure, will allow you to see patients in an individual or group setting and assess their condition.