To become a music therapist, you must first get a Master’s degree in Music Therapy or any other related discipline. Some advanced clinical practice degrees are also required for some positions. This advanced clinical practice degree is typically earned from an accredited university. The Bachelor’s degree is also required in order to become a certified Music Therapist. However, this degree is not required for becoming Music Therapists.
If you are interested in becoming a Music Therapist, you should know that your educational preparation will prepare you to specialize in Mental Health Therapy as well. A Bachelor’s degree is only needed if you want to open your own private practice, although you might be able to find jobs working for a music therapy agency or school. If you plan on specializing in Mental Health Therapy, you should also pursue either a Master’s degree or Doctoral degree. In order to become a competent Music Therapist, you must have at least a Bachelor’s degree. In addition, in order to take music therapy licensing exams, you must pass both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree.
You can obtain your Music Therapist certification through specialized programs in two ways – either through an accredited university or through specialized programs of teachers who are also music therapists. These programs can be found in most states and are accredited. However, these programs can be quite lengthy and may require that you take part in on-the-job training as well as continuing education during your work hours. If you want to be a licensed Music Therapist, it is recommended that you enroll in special education programs.
Salaries for this career can vary widely, depending on what location you work in, the type of facility you work in, your experience and education, as well as where you live. Typically, the salaries for music therapists with more than five years of experience are higher than the salaries of those who are just out of school. The average salary ranges between thirty and forty-five dollars per hour, with the highest salaries not coming into the twenty-five dollar range. Some individuals make over one hundred dollars per hour.
Unfortunately, there are some areas of the country that pay more than others for their music therapists. The states of Arkansas and Colorado pay more than eighty-five dollars per hour to their music therapists. However, in order to be eligible for employment, most music therapists must first undergo a brief certification in their specific specialty. Most states require a minimum amount of education before starting employment; therefore, it may be necessary to obtain certification.
In addition to the cost of hiring a music therapist, some people do not feel comfortable having someone of their own making the payments. Therefore, they will look to pay someone else to do it. There are two options that you have in this situation: you can pay someone to complete the certification process for you (either board certification exam or internship), or you can complete the process yourself. Although it takes longer, you will have control over which classes you take and whether or not you complete the board certification exam or internship.
Depending on which option you choose, it will take anywhere from four to nine months before you are certified. Once certified, you will be able to work in most any location in the United States that offers a music therapy program. A clinical internship will allow you to work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. In order to be eligible for an internship, you will need to complete one year of coursework (five hundred hours) as well as pass a clinical placement test, and written evaluation, and a final oral examination. You must pass this exam in order to complete your coursework and be immediately eligible for an internship.
