Music Therapy?

Does anyone know how marketable this degree is? My younger sister is looking into it, but I am wondering about jobs down the road. I am obviously "bias" since I have my MSW. I encouraged her to go that route instead, where she could always find a job and then apply her music experience later, like with groups and such. Thoughts? TIA!

Re: Music Therapy?

i went to a small college in PA that is one of the few programs in the northeast that have this degree... i minored in music, but ALL my friends that majored in music therapy are all employed and absolutely love their jobs. you can work in a nursing home, hospital and homes for the disabled. also common is working for an agency and working with several different populations (i.e. going into a hospital, school or home setting) a few hours a week to work with clients ( you would have several differnet clients). friends have worked with the elderly, the autistic and the developmentally delayed and mentally retarded most often.

your sister would major in Music Therapy which is highly specialized program.. you major in music, but also learn the psychology behind music and how to use it with the above mentioned populations in a theraputic way. my friends not only had to take all the music courses (theory, sight singing, music history) but then had to also take psychology and anatomy courses. it's a tough program, but very rewarding. your sister also has to take private lessons in her instrument (whatever that is) and also classes in piano and voice, which are most helpful to a music therapist. basic guitar skills are also beneficial.

if you want info. on where i went to school, just FM. it has a very fine, and highly regarded, music therapy program.

ETA: i see what you're saying about having her apply her music with her groups, if she were to be a social worker, but really, it is a very specialized field. people that receive music therapy are often receiving it to literally help them recover from physically and mental disorders. it's not just music to help you feel better emotionally. while that plays into it, music therapists are trained to address the physical in addition to the emotional. for example, a friend of mine helped a boy with Down's Syndrome learn to talk through singing and an autistic boy be less physically violent by learning gentle body movements guided by song.

Message edited 8/24/2009 2:10:54 AM.

Re: Music Therapy?

ITA with all of the above. The school I work for employs a music therapist, and she is an invaluable asset. We used to have a dance therapist and an art therapist as well, but unfortunately those are not mandated services, so despite how wonderful they were, their positions were terminated due to budget restrictions. Music therapy, on the other hand, is state-mandated on the student's IEPs, so I'd say the position is secure. Molloy College is supposed to have an excellent program in music therapy.

Re: Music Therapy?

Is it easy to find a job though? Or is it like teaching? I feel like I should know this, but all the populations I have worked with haven't really worked with music therapists. I guess I would hate to see her spend time and especially money on this kind of program and then not be able to find a job. KWIM?