Now that you know what music therapists do, you may have already decided to begin the process of becoming a music therapist. If you’re still in high school, talk to your guidance counselor about your career goals. Your guidance counselor can help you adjust your course load to suit your aspirations; they may also help you look up the legal requirements for working as a music therapist in your state.
You can use your high school classes to lay a foundation for your post-secondary academic career. Of course, you should take as many music-related courses as possible, such as music theory, history and performance. However, other courses may also be helpful; in particular, you may benefit from courses in psychology or counseling, sociology, child or human lifespan development, healthcare or nursing.
As you approach your senior year in high school, it’s time to start researching music therapy and music performance degree options. But before you select a college and a program, you’ll need to research the requirements in your state. Some states do require music therapists to be board certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) — a national organization that certifies music therapists in all 50 states.
Employers in other states may prefer board certification, even if it isn’t mandatory. Additionally, know that some states that do not currently require certification may later pass legislation to require it. For example, board certification is not currently required in Arizona, although efforts have been made by legislators to require music therapists to obtain certification from the CBMT.
If you are required by your state to be certified, you’ll need to check the CBMT requirements for certification and ensure that the degree program you choose meets those standards. Once you choose and enroll in a degree program, you can expect four years of full-time study. During this time, you’ll refine your skills as a musician and explore the evidence-based practices of music therapy. After graduation, you may sit for the board certification exam (if applicable) before moving on to find your first job as a professional music therapist.