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Emily
Student
Hackettstown, New Jersey
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What can I do during my undergraduate experience to prepare myself to apply to graduate school for music therapy?
What can I do during my undergraduate experience to prepare myself to apply to graduate school for music therapy? I am currently majoring in music & psychology at The College of New Jersey. I will be graduating with my B.A. in the Spring of 2027. I want to know what I can do now to prepare myself to apply to graduate school. This includes volunteerism, joining organizations, internships/research opportunities, etc.. I do not know where to start since I am not getting an undergraduate degree in music therapy specifically.
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8 answers
Archived User
14
Answers
Updated
Archived’s Answer
With your dual BA in Psychology and Music, you are likely eligible for the Montclair State University (of New Jersey)Music Therapy Master's program, but you may need to complete an equivalency program first to satisfy music therapy competency requirements before starting the master's coursework. Your psychology background is a strong asset, and the music degree provides musical training, but you will need to demonstrate a proficiency in the specific music therapy competencies. You should contact the Music Therapy Program Director at Montclair State University to confirm your eligibility and discuss any necessary coursework.
1. Contact Montclair State University's Music Therapy Department: Reach out to the Program Director or Admissions Counselor for the music therapy master's program.
2. Discuss Your Background: Explain your dual degree in Psychology and Music to the program director.
3. Inquire About Equivalency: Ask about an "equivalency program," which allows students with related bachelor's degrees to complete the necessary music therapy coursework without pursuing a second undergraduate degree.
4. Understand Requirements: Clarify what specific musical and clinical competencies you need to demonstrate to meet the program's prerequisites and be admitted into the master's program.
Archived recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much!
Emily
Vannga T.
Linguist, Instructor, Teacher, Advisor, Tutor/Program/Resource Coordinator, Tutor, Pianist, and Composer.
14
Answers
Updated
Vannga’s Answer
Dear Emily,
I would suggest to talk to the Academic Advisor and the Chair Person of the
Psychology Department at your present college to get some guidance regarding your graduate school plan. They should be able to provide helpful information regarding your academic and career plan and refer you to appropriate resources.
Good luck with your preparation for graduate school!
Vannga
I would suggest to talk to the Academic Advisor and the Chair Person of the
Psychology Department at your present college to get some guidance regarding your graduate school plan. They should be able to provide helpful information regarding your academic and career plan and refer you to appropriate resources.
Good luck with your preparation for graduate school!
Vannga
Thank you!
Emily
MaryAnn Ivan
Musical Director/Composer
11
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
MaryAnn’s Answer
HI Emily. Happy Weekend.
This is a great question. I have a possibly route you might want to consider.
I did my undergrad degree in music therapy at the most wonderful Duquesne University in Pittsburgh (Go Steelers!) when most music therapy programs were on in the western part of the US. Luckily, growing up in PGH it was an easy choice to go to the correct college for me.
I didn’t end up going into music therapy. I went to NYU and got a masters in music composition and also had a wonderful mentor who opened the Broadway door for me as a musician. But that is my path. Everyone’s is unique of course.
The best advice a friend told me was GO BACK TO SCHOOL b/c it is the colleagues whom you will meet and she was absolutely right about that.
Good for you !! Well done.
I want to share with you that in my undergrad degree, we did 7 semesters of working one on one with a music therapist for 14-15 weeks. They were called practicums. We had to accrue a certain amount of hours per credit. After that, and after graduating, you had to aquire a license to be a practicing MT. There was a 6th month internship in a facility of your choice, that had music therapy.
The facilities I spent time in were: (all in PGH)
1. The Rehab Institute of Pittsburgh - physical rehab with children 12-18 - working with PT and the music therapist.
2. Forbes Hospital - Geriatric and Alzheimer’s
3. Western Psych - Schizophrenia - adults long term care (Western Psych I believe has been absorbed into University of Pitt Medical Center - UPMC)
4. Harmerville, PA - Autistic Children (10- 16 yrs old ish)
I don’t recall the rest.
I did get a job as a nursing home as an activities assistant, of course there was a piano there, and we had a BLAST I tell you ! It was the BEST job ever. We went fishing and played bingo and baked and had movie night and sing alongs. You will LOVE it. :-)
All in all what I want to impart to you is GO FOR IT. I fully believe 100% in the creative and restorative nature of music. Music therapy is a real science and you can subscribe to the Journal of Music Therapy and read all kinds of interesting case studies. Great information.
So get yourself in touch with the MT’s in such facilities as mentioned and speak with the music therapists. They may be affiliated with the local college or university near you, or the one you are presently in at the moment. The music therapy departments at your school or other schools have a list of facilities you can look into.
The practicums are part of your credit hours so there is no payment. Talk to MT’s and I would go talk to the head of the MT dept.
Duquesne University is a great school. The music school is top notch, and we all had to minor in psych.
Most of all HAVE FUN !!!
Mary Ann NYC
Get in touch with music therapists at facilities and hospitals
Subscribe to the Journal of Music Therapy
Check what credit hours you need at practicum sights and even volunteer now at those places for experience
Talk to your school’s department head in music therapy
Learn/know how to improv and play guitar or piano. YOU WILL NEED ONE or the other. :-)
This is a great question. I have a possibly route you might want to consider.
I did my undergrad degree in music therapy at the most wonderful Duquesne University in Pittsburgh (Go Steelers!) when most music therapy programs were on in the western part of the US. Luckily, growing up in PGH it was an easy choice to go to the correct college for me.
I didn’t end up going into music therapy. I went to NYU and got a masters in music composition and also had a wonderful mentor who opened the Broadway door for me as a musician. But that is my path. Everyone’s is unique of course.
The best advice a friend told me was GO BACK TO SCHOOL b/c it is the colleagues whom you will meet and she was absolutely right about that.
Good for you !! Well done.
I want to share with you that in my undergrad degree, we did 7 semesters of working one on one with a music therapist for 14-15 weeks. They were called practicums. We had to accrue a certain amount of hours per credit. After that, and after graduating, you had to aquire a license to be a practicing MT. There was a 6th month internship in a facility of your choice, that had music therapy.
The facilities I spent time in were: (all in PGH)
1. The Rehab Institute of Pittsburgh - physical rehab with children 12-18 - working with PT and the music therapist.
2. Forbes Hospital - Geriatric and Alzheimer’s
3. Western Psych - Schizophrenia - adults long term care (Western Psych I believe has been absorbed into University of Pitt Medical Center - UPMC)
4. Harmerville, PA - Autistic Children (10- 16 yrs old ish)
I don’t recall the rest.
I did get a job as a nursing home as an activities assistant, of course there was a piano there, and we had a BLAST I tell you ! It was the BEST job ever. We went fishing and played bingo and baked and had movie night and sing alongs. You will LOVE it. :-)
All in all what I want to impart to you is GO FOR IT. I fully believe 100% in the creative and restorative nature of music. Music therapy is a real science and you can subscribe to the Journal of Music Therapy and read all kinds of interesting case studies. Great information.
So get yourself in touch with the MT’s in such facilities as mentioned and speak with the music therapists. They may be affiliated with the local college or university near you, or the one you are presently in at the moment. The music therapy departments at your school or other schools have a list of facilities you can look into.
The practicums are part of your credit hours so there is no payment. Talk to MT’s and I would go talk to the head of the MT dept.
Duquesne University is a great school. The music school is top notch, and we all had to minor in psych.
Most of all HAVE FUN !!!
Mary Ann NYC
MaryAnn recommends the following next steps:
Thank you!
Emily
Wow - you've done it all! Thank you for your outstanding service in this much needed area.
John Graham
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1186
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Emily,
Your decision to major in psychology and music is a smart first step toward becoming a music therapist. Strong musical abilities, a firm grasp of psychology, and relevant experience working with individuals are requirements for graduate programs, even in the absence of an undergraduate degree specialized in music therapy. These steps will help your application stand out:
1. Build hands-on experience
- Volunteer at places like hospitals, assisted living facilities, special education programs, mental health facilities, or community music initiatives where music is used for enrichment or healing.
- If you can, shadow or help a music therapist. You can discover contacts through the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) directory, your instructors, or the career center.
2. Keep your music skills sharp
- Continue taking individual or group lessons to show your high-level performance skills.
- Since therapists must often deal with a variety of clients, learning several instruments is highly recommended. Voice, guitar, and piano are particularly valued.
3. Get research or psychology-related experience
- Enroll in a psychology research lab, preferably one that focuses on therapy, music, or cognition.
- To show your knowledge of clinical settings, intern with mental health organizations.
4. Get involved on campus
- To show initiative and leadership, join a psychology or music club or form a music-and-wellness organization.
5. Network early
- Attend local chapter meetings or AMTA conferences to network with experts and find out about graduate programs.
- Seek advice and recommendation letters from the teachers well in advance of graduation.
Your academic ability, clinical preparedness, and musicianship will be more important to graduate schools than the exact title of your degree. You're already ahead of the game by considering this now; each study project, lesson, or volunteer hour you begin while in college will strengthen your application and help you determine whether music therapy is the proper career path for you.
Best wishes!
Your decision to major in psychology and music is a smart first step toward becoming a music therapist. Strong musical abilities, a firm grasp of psychology, and relevant experience working with individuals are requirements for graduate programs, even in the absence of an undergraduate degree specialized in music therapy. These steps will help your application stand out:
1. Build hands-on experience
- Volunteer at places like hospitals, assisted living facilities, special education programs, mental health facilities, or community music initiatives where music is used for enrichment or healing.
- If you can, shadow or help a music therapist. You can discover contacts through the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) directory, your instructors, or the career center.
2. Keep your music skills sharp
- Continue taking individual or group lessons to show your high-level performance skills.
- Since therapists must often deal with a variety of clients, learning several instruments is highly recommended. Voice, guitar, and piano are particularly valued.
3. Get research or psychology-related experience
- Enroll in a psychology research lab, preferably one that focuses on therapy, music, or cognition.
- To show your knowledge of clinical settings, intern with mental health organizations.
4. Get involved on campus
- To show initiative and leadership, join a psychology or music club or form a music-and-wellness organization.
5. Network early
- Attend local chapter meetings or AMTA conferences to network with experts and find out about graduate programs.
- Seek advice and recommendation letters from the teachers well in advance of graduation.
Your academic ability, clinical preparedness, and musicianship will be more important to graduate schools than the exact title of your degree. You're already ahead of the game by considering this now; each study project, lesson, or volunteer hour you begin while in college will strengthen your application and help you determine whether music therapy is the proper career path for you.
Best wishes!
Thank you!
Emily
John Graham
Music Producer
80
Answers
Bremerton, Washington
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Emily!
I agree with Daniel's answer, and here are some other ideas for you.
Try to get some experience assisting a licensed music therapist. As you probably already know, these people work in many venues, including:
In Healthcare at hospitals, rehab facilities, outpatient clinics, and hospice programs
In Long-Term care facilities like nursing homes and senior centers
In various schools, with both children and adults
At prisons
In music therapists private offices.
There are two certified Music Therapists in Hackettstown that you might try to contact, tell them of your interest, and see if they might let you watch them in action. There's a website where you can find certified music therapists and its https://my.cbmt.org/cbmtssa/f?p=CRTSSA:17800:2469411935750:::17800::
Also you can find out about the requirements to be a therapist in your state at that website:
https://www.musictherapy.org/about/requirements/
Good luck with your journey - you're going to do great!
I agree with Daniel's answer, and here are some other ideas for you.
Try to get some experience assisting a licensed music therapist. As you probably already know, these people work in many venues, including:
In Healthcare at hospitals, rehab facilities, outpatient clinics, and hospice programs
In Long-Term care facilities like nursing homes and senior centers
In various schools, with both children and adults
At prisons
In music therapists private offices.
There are two certified Music Therapists in Hackettstown that you might try to contact, tell them of your interest, and see if they might let you watch them in action. There's a website where you can find certified music therapists and its https://my.cbmt.org/cbmtssa/f?p=CRTSSA:17800:2469411935750:::17800::
Also you can find out about the requirements to be a therapist in your state at that website:
https://www.musictherapy.org/about/requirements/
Good luck with your journey - you're going to do great!
George F Spicka
Compose Music \ Play Jazz Piano \ Curator of Paleontology
27
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
George F’s Answer
Perhaps using music therapy with Alzheimers patients. My mother-in-law had it, and listening to the music of her era was the only thing that calmed her.
Kimberly Krebs
Corporate Security Manager
89
Answers
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
That's a great question. Start by checking out internships available through your school. You can also look for part-time jobs at music stores that offer lessons and rentals. This way, you can meet people in your field and build important connections.
Ask if you have internships through your college
Kimberly recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Emily!
Volunteer as soon as possible for local care therapy organizations by offering to be an assistant or an offsider to therapists. Offer internship work for local college or university Speech and Language Pathology, Art and Music Therapy departments. Ask if you are allowed to sit in on music therapy lectures and practical classes as a preliminary student.
Learn to use the Internet search engines to procure any new data on care for music therapy. Befriend local college music therapy Professors. This goes much further than networking which is a loose arrangement. If you volunteer, you will display commitment!
You could offer to shadow a music therapy teacher, with provisos of course.
GOD BLESS YOU!
Volunteer as soon as possible for local care therapy organizations by offering to be an assistant or an offsider to therapists. Offer internship work for local college or university Speech and Language Pathology, Art and Music Therapy departments. Ask if you are allowed to sit in on music therapy lectures and practical classes as a preliminary student.
Learn to use the Internet search engines to procure any new data on care for music therapy. Befriend local college music therapy Professors. This goes much further than networking which is a loose arrangement. If you volunteer, you will display commitment!
You could offer to shadow a music therapy teacher, with provisos of course.
GOD BLESS YOU!