Music therapy is a type of expressive therapy that uses exposure to music to help people improve their well-being. It is an allied health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address the physical, psychological, cognitive and social needs of individuals.
Music therapists provide services for adults and children with psychiatric disorders, cognitive and developmental disabilities, speech and hearing disabilities, physical disabilities, and neurological disabilities, among others.
A qualified music therapist after assessing clients’ specific strengths and needs can provide treatments that include: creating, singing, moving and/or listening to music. Through musical participation in the therapeutic context, the client’s skills are strengthened and transferred to other areas of his or her life.
Currently many universities offer Master’s degree programs in Music Therapy with the purpose of training professionals in the practice of Music Therapy. Some of these programs are offered free of charge or are funded through a scholarship or future employer.
The main objective of a Free Master’s in Music Therapy program is to prepare students for professional practice as a music therapist, and for them to possess a social conscience and be able to make a contribution to the development of the profession.
The Free Master’s Degree in Music Therapy promotes in the student the ability to use music in a symbolic and expressive way, as well as the ability to improvise, relate and communicate with different individuals and groups.
The student will have the opportunity to explore group psychodynamic processes and relate them to clinical practice, as well as work with professional psychotherapists to enhance their learning experience.
Admission to this program requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, an equivalent professional qualification, or extensive experience in a related field, plus evidence of substantial experience in music practice, including exposure to and experience of a variety of music styles.
Keep in mind that a career in music therapy offers distinctive challenges, opportunities and rewards for those interested in working with people of all ages with various disabilities. Human qualities, patience, understanding and respect for others are virtues necessary for this profession.
What is a Master Degree in Music Therapy ?
A Master of Music Therapy is a graduate program that provides the student with concepts and training in evidence-based music therapy practice and therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of diverse populations and client groups and settings.
The program has a psychodynamic underpinning to its theoretical base and provides students with training that encompasses theoretical, clinical and musical experiences. It offers a solid foundation in human development and develops students’ observational skills that will inform the rest of their studies.
The Master of Music Therapy is delivered through classroom teaching, presentations, clinical placement, professional development, research proposal, and self-directed and independent study. There are also options to study this Master’s program in online modality.
Students learn to assess client needs, develop and implement treatment plans, and evaluate and document clinical changes. They will learn to actively and skillfully conceptualize, analyze, apply and/or evaluate information gathered from/by observation, experience, reflection, reasoning or communication.
The program covers observation of infants or children; seminars and workshops with highly experiential and participatory content related to the study of theories and concepts relevant to the practice of music therapy and art therapies in general.
It also encompasses the study of a variety of client groups; verbal experience groups and group supervision, music therapy specific skill development, role-playing and repertoire development. Students in this program also explore innovative and non-traditional ways of working in music therapy along with the concept of what “therapy space” can look like.
Program, Subjects and Content of a Master Degree in Music Therapy
These are some of the subjects that may be included in the programmatic content of a Master’s degree in Music Therapy:
- Theory and practice of music therapy
- Fundamentals and principles of music therapy
- Music therapy skills
- Therapeutic approaches and evidence-based practice
- Music therapy research and practice
- Exceptionality and psychopathology
- Assessment and evaluation
- Methods and techniques
- Psychology of music
- Influence of music on behavior
- Music therapy with diverse populations
- Internship courses and internships
How Long Does the Master Degree in Music Therapy Take ?
Duration of a Master’s degree in Music Therapy is between 1 and 2 years of full-time study. Duration of the Master’s program will depend on factors such as the country, the university, program’s delivery modality, the study plan, schedules, among others.
Where can I Work with a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy ?
Graduates of a Master of Music Therapy program can practice as music therapists in many different settings. They are employed in many different settings, including arts settings, charitable organizations, general and psychiatric hospitals, community mental health agencies, rehabilitation centers, day care centers, nursing homes, schools and private practices.
Countries and Cities Where You Can Study the Master of Music Therapy for Free by Obtaining a Scholarship
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- United States of America
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Canada
- New Zealand
- South Africa
Institutes, Centers and Universities Where the Master Degree in Music Therapy is Possibly Offered for Free, through Scholarships
Master of Music Therapy
- School of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales
- Pontypridd, United Kingdom.
Master of Music Therapy
- University of Limerick Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
- Limerick, Ireland.
Master of Music Therapy
- Sam Houston State University
- Huntsville, Texas, U.S.A.
Master of Music Therapy
- Maryville University of St. Louis
- St. Louis, U.S.A.
Master of Music Therapy
- University of SRH Heidelberg
- Heidelberg, Germany.
Master in Music Therapy
- Codarts Rotterdam
- Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Master in Music Therapy
- Concordia University Montréal
- Montreal Canada.
Master of Music Therapy
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Wellington, New Zealand.
Master of Music Therapy
- University of Pretoria
- Pretoria, South Africa.
Master of Music Therapy Referential Prices
Prices for the Master of Music Therapy can vary. The prices of these Master’s degrees range from $5,275 to $12,800 per year. In some cases it can have a higher cost.
The cost of this Master’s Degree will vary according to the country where it is offered, the institution or university that offers the Master’s Degree, the modality, the duration and the materials provided during the study, among other factors.
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