Music Therapy
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music to address the needs of an individual or group. Music based interventions address physical, speech, social, cognitive and psychological goals and are facilitated by a credentialed music therapist. Often working as part of a treatment team to address specific goals, music therapists provide integrated and supportive services in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, hospice programs, senior centers, individual homes, psychiatric hospitals, day treatment centers and drug and alcohol treatment programs. Research in music therapy supports the efficacy of harnessing the inherent qualities of music to improve outcomes in a wide variety of settings and for a multitude of purposes. The field continues to grow and develop through research, education, and advocacy.

Requirements for Further Study in The Field
Music therapy is an established healthcare and education profession.  Board-certified music therapists have completed an approved music therapy program, 1200 hours of clinical training (a combination of fieldwork and internship), and have passed the national certification exam to acquire their MT-BC credential. Individuals who have earned an undergraduate degree in an area other than music therapy may elect to complete the degree equivalency program in music therapy offered by universities who have been approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Under these programs, the student completes only the required coursework without necessarily earning a second baccalaureate degree. Graduate programs in music therapy and expressive arts therapy are also an option for students with an undergraduate degree looking to get into the field. Contact individual universities for details on specific entry requirements.

Complementary Skills
Individuals seeking to enter the field of music therapy should possess a range of practical and personal skills, in addition to the desire to help others and a background in music:

• A genuine ability to establish professional and caring relationships with individuals of varying backgrounds and with diverse needs
• Willingness to work as a member of a team with openness and confidence
• An interest in research, development, and advocacy
• The ability to improvise and use music flexibly, purposefully, and sensitively
• Strong academic background and organizational skills
• Self-awareness and readiness to engage in ongoing supervision/follow the guidelines for practice and continuing education set forth by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)

Courses
As outlined above, certain elements of the music therapy curriculum are required prior to sitting for the board exam (including supervised applied fieldwork) and can only be accessed through accredited music therapy degree programs-- however, students who are interested in topics relevant to the field of music therapy, and looking to learn more as they plan their career path, should consider the following courses offered at Mount Holyoke College:

Relevant Music Courses
MUSIC-151 courses (Individual Performance Studies)
MUSIC-351 courses (Advanced Performance Studies)
MUSIC-143 courses (All Ensembles)
MUSIC-371CH-01 (99968) Music and Childhood
MUSIC-371MD-01 (106210) Music and Disability
MUSIC-102-01 (99711) Music and Technology
MUSIC-231-01 (98769) Theory + MUSIC-332-01 (99938) Theory II
MUSIC-261-01 (99845) Int. West African Drumming Ens
MUSIC-281,2,3,4 (99967) History of Western Music 
MUSIC-131-01 (99712) Basic Musicianship

Relevant Non-Music Courses
PSYCH-100-01 (99744) Introduction to Psychology
PSYCH-201-01 (99746) Statistics
PSYCH-222-01 (99768) Abnormal Psych: Clinical Perspectives
PSYCH-230-01 (99769) Developmental Psychology
PSYCH-243-01 (99776) Memory Systems
EDUC-233-01 (99813) Educational Psychology
NEURO-100-01 (99266) Intro to Neuroscience

The full curriculum required by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) for a qualifying degree program includes coursework in psychology, music, biological, social and behavioral sciences, disabilities and general studies, and includes practical application of music therapy procedures and techniques learned in the classroom, through required fieldwork in the community and/or on-campus clinics. More details on these requirements can be found here.

Additional Resources
Music Therapy Degree Program at Westfield State University
Rhythm, Music, and the Brain: Scientific Foundations and Clinical Applications, by Michael Thaut
The Journal of Music Therapy
The National Institute of Health and The Kennedy Center: Sound Health
Music Therapy Handbook, edited by Barbara Wheeler
Music Therapy Tales
The Certification Board for Music Therapists

Related Organizations
The American Music Therapy Association
The Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy
Nordoff-Robbins Foundation