Letter to a Future Music Therapy Student

There are certain questions I receive on a regular basis as both an educator and a blogger. Hands down the most common question is “how can I become a music therapist” (a question I addressed early in my blogging career). A close second comes from people seriously considering enrolling in a music therapy degree program:

What can I do NOW to prepare me to be a music therapy major?

My answer to this question varies based on whether the question is posed by a high school student or a current undergraduate student considering an equivalency program. Here goes…

Letter to a High School Student

Dear Student,

Thank you for your email. I am excited to learn about your interest in music therapy! I have been a music therapist for almost 15 years and find this career stimulating, challenging, and rewarding.

The most important suggestion I can offer is that you keep working on your music skills. The cornerstone of being a music therapist is being a strong musician. Keep participating in ensembles and take private lessons. If you are feeling very ambitious, consider learning a bit of guitar, piano, or voice, if any of these are not one of your primary instruments. Although not necessary (you will learn to play all these instruments as part of your music therapy training), it may help.

As for classes, there are really no specific courses that you need to take—you will get those as part of your college training. However, if your high school offers college credit for english, math, or an introduction to psychology class, it may help to complete that coursework now and transfer in the credit.

I hope you find this information help. Let me know if you have any additional questions!

Good luck,

Kimberly

Letter to an Undergrad/Future Equivalency Student

Dear Student,

Thank you for your email. I am excited to learn about your interest in music therapy! I have been a music therapist for almost 15 years and find this career stimulating, challenging, and rewarding.

The equivalency program is geared towards filling in any “holes” in your education so that you are eligible to complete the music therapy training at a particular university and sit for the national board certification exam. As such, I cannot offer specific recommendations as to which courses to take—that  falls under the purview of your academic advisor—however, I can offer general recommendations. Musically, in addition to theory, history, lessons, and ensembles, see about taking an orchestration or arranging course. Outside of music, there are core psychology courses to take (in particular introduction to psychology, but also abnormal psychology and a child development course), as well as core science course to take, such as human anatomy. Although I cannot guarantee the courses and course credit will transfer, it may help you in the equivalency program to take these courses as electives now, if possible.

I hope you find this information help. Let me know if you have any additional questions!

Good luck,

Kimberly

Tagged as: music therapy degree, music therapy education, music therapy training