Educational Journey to MT-BC

During this time of the year, many high school students in their senior year are working on a graduation project involving research.

As a team of board certified music therapists, we receive frequent questions from such students curious about our educational and professional training.

These questions may also come about from seeing our uniform that includes a musical note when we're running errands on a work day... from a nearby driver in the parking lot who views one of our car magnets on display during mobile based work days... or while we're setting up treatment materials for a session out in the community.

We also respond to these inquiries from individuals who are considering a career shift and converse about pursuing music therapy through an equivalency degree program. Music therapists are also ethically held to Principle #3: To Be Accountable... with inquiries from individuals who wish to learn more about the educational and clinical training that was part of the certification process to practice as a creative and expressive arts therapist.  

​Viewing PMT's web page titled "Contact" we link credible sources online to learn more about the clinical background of music therapists. Those web based resources are recommended prior to completing in-person or phone interviews with clinicians on staff.

Due to COVID19 there are more accessible outlets to hear from credentialed clinicians about their music therapy career course beyond our private practice. In a few weeks, the American Music Therapy Association National Conference will include their second annual panel of music therapy professionals that is viewable online! Find out more information through @AMTA2020 Facebook for the upcoming live streamed event - November 21, 2020.

Additionally, there are five colleges in the Carolinas that offer accredited programs for a bachelor's degree (and even a master's degree at one of them) in music therapy. Here is a list of the universities with links to learn more about some of their upcoming virtual seminars & opportunities to ask questions to the music therapy faculty as well as read about coursework:

1. Appalachian State University in Boone, NC: The Hayes School of Music is offering ongoing events through MusiConnect, with zoom sessions until November 12th.
2. Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC
3. Converse College in Spartanburg, SC
4. East Carolina University in Greenville, NC: Music on Monday is a monthly available via zoom and the next one is scheduled for December 7th.
5. Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC: Register online for the MT Virtual Open House scheduled for November 13th.

Because of increased safety precautions, this an unique time for individuals to learn more from music therapy faculty, researchers and clinicians. Thanks for any help sharing these resources to promote a more diverse field of music therapists.

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