Educational Requirements
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) along with the National Association for Schools of Music (NASM) accredits universities wishing to provide music therapy programs. All accredited music therapy programs include 120-140 credits in the following areas:
- Music Coursework
- Music Therapy Methods Coursework
- Music Therapy Clinical Training
- Exceptionality
- Psychopathology
- Human Development
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Principles of Therapy
- Ethics
- Research
Internship
A 6-month internship is required for all music therapy students prior to eligibility to sit for the national board certification exam. A minimum of 1200 hours pre-internship and internship clinical hours are required to graduate with an undergraduate degree, or equivalency degree, in music therapy.
Board Certification
After completing coursework and 1200 hours of clinical training, music therapists are eligible to take the national board certification exam. This exam is administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Successful completion of this exam provides a music therapist with the credential "MT-BC."
Code of Ethics & Continuing Education
In order to maintain their credential, MT-BC, music therapists must complete 100 hours of continuing education every 5 years and abide by the AMTA Code of Ethics and CBMT Code of Professional Practice. This includes continuing education training in ethics.