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Subject · 121 verified programs

Music Therapy: degrees, diplomas and programs

Programs on the clinical use of music to support health and wellbeing, combining musicianship, psychology and supervised clinical placements.

Also called: Music Therapy and Health, Clinical Music Therapy, Creative Arts Therapies, Musiktherapie, Musicoterapia, Musicothérapie.

41 BM / BMus · 19 Other master’s award · 16 MA · 13 Other bachelor’s award · 10 MM / MMus · 8 BS / BSc · 6 BA / BA (Hons) · 5 PhD · 2 MS / MSc · 1 Certificate · 101 dedicated degree, 2 documented pathway, 12 official concentration, 6 named major

121 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

About music therapy study

Music therapy is the use of music-based interventions within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive or social needs. Degree programs combine musical skills, usually on piano, guitar, voice and percussion, with study of psychology, human development, health conditions and clinical methods. Students learn to assess needs, plan sessions, improvise responsively and document their work.

Training centers on supervised clinical placements in settings such as schools, hospitals, mental health services or community programs. Programs differ in theoretical orientation, which may be behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, humanistic or community-focused, and in their balance between practice and research.

Professional practice and credentials in music therapy are regulated differently in different countries, and in some places the title is protected while in others it is not. A degree does not by itself make someone eligible to practise or use a professional title. Eligibility may depend on additional supervised hours, examinations, registration or membership of a professional body. Anyone planning to practise should check the relevant national or regional professional body and any health or education authority before enrolling.

What study typically involves

  • Clinical improvisation and music therapy methods
  • Principal and functional instrument skills, including guitar, piano and voice
  • Psychology, human development and counselling skills
  • Study of clinical populations, such as children, older adults or mental health
  • Assessment, treatment planning and documentation
  • Supervised clinical placements and reflective practice
  • Research methods and evidence in music therapy
  • Ethics, professional boundaries and working in teams

Award titles. Music therapy education appears as bachelor's degrees such as the BM or BA in some countries, and more often as master's level awards such as the MA, MM, MMus or MSc, including postgraduate diplomas in some systems. Doctoral study is usually a PhD. Some countries treat the master's degree as the professional entry point, while others use different routes. Names and structure vary, and awards are not treated as equivalent here.

A program is listed under Music Therapy only when it is a dedicated music therapy degree, a named music therapy major, an official concentration or a documented pathway. One course on music and health does not count. Listing on this directory does not indicate approval by any professional body or eligibility to practise.

Auditions and admissions guidance

Requirements differ for every program and instrument. Always check the official admissions page; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Applicants are usually asked for an audition showing musical ability, often including voice, piano or guitar, and sometimes improvisation. Many programs also assess interpersonal skills through an interview, group exercise or reflective statement, since clinical work depends on relating to others.

Programs often ask for experience in caring or helping settings, references, and academic transcripts, with some requiring psychology coursework. Graduate programs commonly expect a first degree in music, psychology or a related field, and may screen applicants through background checks required for clinical placements.

Requirements differ by institution and country and are separate from professional registration rules. Check the official admissions page and the relevant professional body. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also the guide to preparing for auditions.

Funding and costs

Funding may include scholarships, tuition waivers, graduate assistantships and fellowships. Professional associations, health service bodies and foundations occasionally support students, and clinical placements may be paid or unpaid depending on the setting.

Availability and terms vary by institution and country, and many students receive partial support or none. Check each program, funding body and professional association directly.

Costs beyond tuition. Possible costs include instruments suited to clinical work, travel to placement sites, background checks and health screening, professional liability insurance, registration or membership fees, and exam or credentialing fees after graduation.