Klarinet Archive - Posting 000141.txt from 1998/11

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] music therapy
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 17:08:21 -0500

On Thu, 5 Nov 1998, ann chu wrote:

> I'm a college student looking for a possible major. I've been thinking
> about going into psychology and music for my majors and then doing some
> grad work in music therapy. Does anyone have any information about
> graduate programs in music therapy or about the field itself?

If you are going to do graduate work in music therapy, I think you will
find that the Bachelor's degree in the same field, or its equivalent, will
be prerequisite to admission into a master's degree program. There is a
fairly small number of schools which are accredited by the NAMT (National
Association for Music Therapy) to offer master's level programs.

Some schools (including the one where I teach) have the music therapy
degree, and also a "music therapy equivalency." This is designed for
people who already have a Bachelor's degree in some other field of music
such as music education or performance. It includes just the courses in
music therapy which are required for registration as a music therapist.
That normally requires about two years to complete. This would qualify
you to enter a graduate program in music therapy. I believe that to
become fully credentialed as a RMT-BC (Registered Music Therapist - Board
Certified) requires the master's degree in music therapy, a board
examination, and two years or so of clinical experience.

Most music therapy curricula include several psychology courses. It is
also possible to do a double major in music therapy and psychology. I
currently have a student who is doing this. Normally, that will require
five years - five very busy years.

I notice that your e-mail address is not included in the header of this
reply. If you will send me your address, I will forward additional
information, and will put you in touch with some professionals in the
field of music therapy who can tell you all that you need to know.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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