Read the articles on MajoringInMusic.com to learn more. You’ll find that in the U.S., you must have a bachelor’s degree in music therapy or a bachelor’s degree in another area of music and then take an equivalency program in order to be deemed suitably prepared to take the exams that lead to becoming a credentialed music therapist. Each country determines its own rules, so check with the country’s regulations where you plan to study if outside the U.S.

How wonderful that you’re communicating with your grandfather through music. Research shows that music has a significant impact on folks with Alzheimer’s.

As a music major but not a music therapy major, in order to qualify to be a credentialed music therapist, you would need to take a music therapy equivalency program after you get your bachelor’s degree in music. Note that there are some programs that prepare you to work with people in hospital and other health-related settings, but these do not provide the music therapy credentials. You might want to check out the Music for Healing & Transition Program (MHTP) – the Longy School of Music at Bard College will be offering this in the summer.Bedside Harp and Music Cares out of Canada are other programs that offer training but not as extensive as music therapy.

Hi Thomas. We suggest you click on this article: Becoming a Music Therapist. It should answer most if not all of your questions as well as inform you as to what you need to be prepared with for going into a graduate program in music therapy.

Hi Mackenzie,

We have a new article that addresses this question – see Becoming a Music Therapist.

Hi Jacob,

It’s wonderful to discover the healing effects of music, isn’t it? There are plenty of informal ways to bring music into your work. But to work in hospitals, mental health centers, with veterans affected by PTSD, with older adults, in neonatal clinics, or with kids with autism –– you’re likely going to need music therapy credentials. We’re getting ready to post another article that speaks to questions about certification, but in the meantime you’ll be glad to know that your proficiency on guitar is essential to becoming a certified music therapist (as are keyboard and vocal proficiency).