Music therapy is the use of music to achieve a therapeutic benefit for someone. This can be done through listening to music, creating music, or singing. Many people think that music therapy has only been practiced in hospitals and nursing homes, but it has actually been used in all types of facilities including schools, prisons and rehab centers. People with Alzheimer’s disease have been known to remember things better when they listen to certain songs from their past. Often times just hearing familiar tunes can bring back memories that are otherwise forgotten due to brain damage or other mental conditions like dementia.
Best Music Therapy Colleges
Colorado State University
Colorado State University (CSU) is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. It offers a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and a master’s degree in music therapy. The college also offers certificates for undergraduate and graduate students as well as an online master’s degree in music therapy.
The online bachelor degree program at Colorado State University is available to students who are unable to attend classes on campus due to their work or family commitments. CSU allows students who have completed their associate degree programs at other colleges and universities to transfer those credits toward completion of the bachelor’s program at CSU via transfer credit evaluation procedures established by the university catalogs.
Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University is a private, nonprofit university with four campuses in Winchester, Virginia. In addition to its flagship campus, Shenandoah also has three satellite campuses in Front Royal and Woodstock, Virginia; and Harrisonburg, Virginia. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across nine schools of study at its main campus in Winchester as well as at its other locations.
Shenandoah University’s Master of Music in Music Therapy program is accredited by the National Association for Schools of Music (NASM). The program offers two tracks: clinical music therapy and non-clinical music therapy. Students can choose between an on-campus format or an online format that provides live, interactive instruction via distance learning technology.
New York University
If you’re interested in music therapy, there’s no better place to get your degree than New York University. In fact, it was ranked #3 in the country by US News & World Report. NYU is also the only university in the US that offers a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy and the only one with a Master of Music in Music Therapy.
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, Idaho. Accreditation for the music therapy program at the university is through the Council for Accreditation in Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music therapy.
The costs associated with attending Idaho State University include tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation costs to campus, personal expenses such as clothing or entertainment. Students from out-of-state pay an additional fee that covers higher housing costs on campus due to limited space available for student housing nearby Pocatello.
Tuition rates vary based on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student as well as your major; however they are within average ranges at other institutions offering similar programs across the country.
Bradley University
- What is the music therapy program?
The Bradley University Music Therapy Program is a two-year clinical program that prepares students for careers in the field. Students learn about both the clinical aspects of music therapy and how it can be used as an effective therapeutic tool for patients. They will also have the opportunity to perform live with students from other universities, including those at Illinois State University, DePaul University and Northwestern University.
- How many students are in the program?
There are currently 60 students enrolled in this program.
- What is the graduation rate for this program?
- The graduation rate for this school is 47%.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public university located in East Lansing, Michigan. MSU has a music therapy program and a student population of about 50,000.
The graduate school offers several programs in music therapy: the Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT), which is the primary degree offered; the Post-Master’s Certificate; and the Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA).
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC)
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) is a small, Catholic liberal arts college located in central Indiana. The school’s music therapy program is accredited by the National Association for Music Therapy and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The SMWC music therapy program places a strong emphasis on research, community outreach, and clinical training. Each student must complete 300 hours of supervised fieldwork as part of their curriculum. Students must also complete an internship at an approved facility before graduating from the program.
Chicago State University
Chicago State University (CSU) is a public 4-year university located in Chicago, Illinois. CSU offers a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree program.
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is one of the leading music therapy schools in the country. The university was founded in 1958 and currently has over 50,000 students enrolled. CSU Northridge is a public university located in Los Angeles, California.
The music therapy program at CSUN offers a Bachelor of Science degree that can be completed in 4 years. Students have an opportunity to study with faculty who have received numerous awards and honors such as being recognized as one of twenty-five outstanding senior clinicians by Music Therapy magazine or receiving funding from NAMT’s Research Foundation Grant Program for their research projects related to music therapy treatment outcomes involving people with developmental disabilities or cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Belmont University
Belmont University is a private university in Nashville, Tennessee. Belmont has a great music therapy program and is ranked as one of the best universities in the south. The Belmont Music Therapy Program offers a two-year program, which consists of 12 core courses and 9 electives.
The music therapy degree at Belmont University can be completed through two different tracks: Professional or Artist. Both degrees are accredited by MTNA (Music Therapy National Association).
These colleges offer the best music therapy programs in the country.
The following schools offer the best music therapy programs in the country:
- Columbia University in New York City, NY
- University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI
- Northwestern University in Evanston, IL
Music therapy is a field that deals with the treatment and evaluation of people who have disabilities or illnesses by using music and sound. The specialists work with patients to help them improve their physical health and emotional well-being through active listening to musical sounds or musical activities such as playing an instrument or singing along to favorite songs. Music therapists also provide skill building instruction on how to make music on an instrument (such as guitar) so that they can express themselves creatively through songwriting or other forms of self-expression through their chosen instruments.
Closing
If you’re looking to earn your music therapy degree, there are many great schools that can help you do it. The best music therapy colleges in America offer students the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, collaborate with other students and make lifelong connections. These programs have been carefully selected based on their reputation for excellence in teaching music therapy techniques as well as having well-rounded curricula that include courses in psychology and communication sciences. If you want more information about these colleges or any others that might interest you then please contact us today!