Which Schools Offer an Online Degree in Music Therapy?

<h3 id="section---WhatIsMusicTherapy">What Is Music Therapy?</h3> <p>Music therapy is an alternative form of treatment that uses sounds and music for a variety of healing purposes, such as pain relief, memory recovery and stress reduction. As a music therapy professional, you treat patients with mental disorders, physical handicaps and other disabilities. Once you have completed a bachelor's program in music therapy, you are eligible to become board certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutMusicTherapy">Important Facts about Music Therapy</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Common Courses</td><td> Music foundations in therapy, composition for practitioners, research methods</td></tr> <tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> Music therapy in a variety of settings, including general and psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools and private practice</td></tr> <tr><td>Licensure</td><td> Certification is likely required, particularly to practice in hospitals and other clinical settings</td></tr> <tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Empathy, patience, creativity, and imagination</td></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $53,900 (for all recreational therapists)</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 4% (for all recreational therapists)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---OnlineDegreePrograms">Online Degree Programs</h3> <p>Online graduate degree programs in music therapy are available for board-certified music therapists who want to pursue a higher degree. Online programs can help you save money on room and board and offer you freedom to continue working full-time as you pursue graduate-level study. Some programs require short campus visits. </p> <p>You'll need a newer computer with a fast Internet connection. Music therapy courses may require you to purchase or download special software for listening to, recording and composing music. Online master's degrees include a Master of Science in Music Therapy offered by Indiana University-Purdue Global Indianapolis and a Master of Music in Music Therapy from Colorado State University. </p> <h3 id="section---IndianaUniversityPurdueUniversityIndianapolis">Indiana University-Purdue Global-Indianapolis</h3> <p>The Master of Science in Music Therapy degree program at Indiana University-Purdue Global-Indianapolis (IUPUI) is available entirely online. This selective program requires you to have three letters of recommendation, a 3.0 grade-point average from your undergraduate studies, proof of music therapy board certification and an interview. </p> <p>Through this program, music therapists enhance their critical analysis and use of current research findings in their clinical practice. They also will learn how to utilize the diverse tools that are available today in music technology. This online master's program consists of 30 credit hours. Music therapy courses focus on the following areas: </p> <ul><li>Research in music therapy </li><li>Multimedia production </li><li>Music technology production </li><li>Clinical practice </li><li>Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) applications </li></ul><h3 id="section---ColoradoStateUniversity">Colorado State University</h3> <p>Colorado State University's online Master of Music in Music Therapy degree program focuses on how to use music in the healing and rehabilitative process. You'll learn how neurological music therapists treat patients with mental disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and autism. The program includes study in music theory, psychology, music therapy treatments and research methodology. </p> <p>The program requires you to have a bachelor's degree and board certification in music therapy to apply. Although the majority of the program is available online, you are required to visit the campus, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, once a year to complete training that is not available via the Internet. You may choose a thesis option or non-thesis option.</p>