4 answers
Rain
Student
West Des Moines
1
Question
Updated
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Would I be able to double major in Music and Psychology and go into music therapy?
Hi there! I'm a junior in high school and looking to go into a career in music therapy. Realistically, with my situation, I'm going to go to an in-state college, but I most definitely will not be attending the two that offer music therapy degrees.
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Rain !
Being a Music Therapist is such a wonderful career and I would advise you to get academic guidance based on what you have mentioned about your plans for this career. Although from now until you graduate high school, you will probably learn of different options for this career, I would like to advise that there may be some things you'd want to consider. Also I assume you live in Iowa.
My first piece of advice would be to not double major. You really do not need to. The usual path for this career is to get your undergraduate degree in Music Therapy and also your Masters in Music Therapy. Of course you are free to do what is best for you, but I would talk it over with your guidance counselor in your remaining high school years and double check with Music Therapy Iowa for reassurance of the plan you describe here.
Employers in Iowa seem to be open to hiring people with a Bachelors Degree or higher. It doesn't say exactly what you should have majored in, but since there are Music Therapy Programs that do exist, I would advise doing the major in that. Than again, you need to check this out with a Music Therapist organization to be sure if it's advisable to do other majors. I am in agreement with going for the Masters in it, however, read some Music Therapist employment ads now just to get an idea of what most employers are asking for, just so you will know what to expect and which credentials are needed. Ask them if you don't get your degree in Music Therapy if you can still become certified.
Since you are interested in double majoring, do visit or call your college and ask what the requirements are for that also. Figure out how busy you may get with whatever you are planning and realize that a double major could occupy way too much of your time than you expected. Ask about majoring and minoring. You will want your path to be precise so that you will be eligible for employment. Speaking directly to the college you intend to enroll in will be the only way you can be well-informed. If you have chosen to not attend a college that offers a Music Therapy degree and it's because of cost, you can always consider getting financial aid and scholarships as well as grants to cover the tuition.
So I basically advise going to a college for a degree in Music Therapy and not double majoring even if you don't get the degree in Music Therapy. Reconsider going for the degree that will qualify you best to be a professional Music Therapist. Just something to think about and I wish you all the best !
MUSIC THERAPY IOWA - IOWA CHAPTER http://www.musictherapyiowa.org/
Being a Music Therapist is such a wonderful career and I would advise you to get academic guidance based on what you have mentioned about your plans for this career. Although from now until you graduate high school, you will probably learn of different options for this career, I would like to advise that there may be some things you'd want to consider. Also I assume you live in Iowa.
My first piece of advice would be to not double major. You really do not need to. The usual path for this career is to get your undergraduate degree in Music Therapy and also your Masters in Music Therapy. Of course you are free to do what is best for you, but I would talk it over with your guidance counselor in your remaining high school years and double check with Music Therapy Iowa for reassurance of the plan you describe here.
Employers in Iowa seem to be open to hiring people with a Bachelors Degree or higher. It doesn't say exactly what you should have majored in, but since there are Music Therapy Programs that do exist, I would advise doing the major in that. Than again, you need to check this out with a Music Therapist organization to be sure if it's advisable to do other majors. I am in agreement with going for the Masters in it, however, read some Music Therapist employment ads now just to get an idea of what most employers are asking for, just so you will know what to expect and which credentials are needed. Ask them if you don't get your degree in Music Therapy if you can still become certified.
Since you are interested in double majoring, do visit or call your college and ask what the requirements are for that also. Figure out how busy you may get with whatever you are planning and realize that a double major could occupy way too much of your time than you expected. Ask about majoring and minoring. You will want your path to be precise so that you will be eligible for employment. Speaking directly to the college you intend to enroll in will be the only way you can be well-informed. If you have chosen to not attend a college that offers a Music Therapy degree and it's because of cost, you can always consider getting financial aid and scholarships as well as grants to cover the tuition.
So I basically advise going to a college for a degree in Music Therapy and not double majoring even if you don't get the degree in Music Therapy. Reconsider going for the degree that will qualify you best to be a professional Music Therapist. Just something to think about and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Rain,
I am not sure why you don't want to attend a university that has a music therapy program and thus complicate your life.
To practice as a music therapist, you need at least a bachelor degree in music therapy and sit for the board exam (link below). University of Iowa has a music therapy program.
There is also a bachelor equivalency program for people who have a bachelors in music and want to go into music therapy. Basically, you'd be tacking on the therapy portion of the music therapy program after earning your bachelors in music. That's another 3 semesters plus 6 months practicum.
There is a similar equivalency program for people who earned another related bachelor degree, e.g. in psychology. You'd be tacking on the music portion of the music therapy degree at the end which again adds time.
If you absolutely MUST avoid to get your bachelors in music therapy, you could go the equivalency way. It's 2 years extra, but you wouldn't have to do 2 bachelors. There would also be consequences with regards to funding.
I don't think a double major in music and psychology would be a good choice. It would be stressful and most likely, courses would overlap. You'd have music and you'd have therapy, but you wouldn't have specific techniques and theories how to use music in therapy. You could probably tack on some additional courses, but again, it makes your life more difficult than it needs to be and adds time and cost to your education.
Before you make any decisions, I would recommend that you enquire with the School of Music and the certification board if it is possible to upgrade from a double major to music therapy, and which classes and clinical practicals you would have to take after earning your bachelors. Let them also advise you on the best path to achieve your goal.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
https://www.musictherapy.org/about/requirements/
https://music.uiowa.edu/bachelor-music-music-therapy
https://music.uiowa.edu/music-therapy-equivalency-program
I am not sure why you don't want to attend a university that has a music therapy program and thus complicate your life.
To practice as a music therapist, you need at least a bachelor degree in music therapy and sit for the board exam (link below). University of Iowa has a music therapy program.
There is also a bachelor equivalency program for people who have a bachelors in music and want to go into music therapy. Basically, you'd be tacking on the therapy portion of the music therapy program after earning your bachelors in music. That's another 3 semesters plus 6 months practicum.
There is a similar equivalency program for people who earned another related bachelor degree, e.g. in psychology. You'd be tacking on the music portion of the music therapy degree at the end which again adds time.
If you absolutely MUST avoid to get your bachelors in music therapy, you could go the equivalency way. It's 2 years extra, but you wouldn't have to do 2 bachelors. There would also be consequences with regards to funding.
I don't think a double major in music and psychology would be a good choice. It would be stressful and most likely, courses would overlap. You'd have music and you'd have therapy, but you wouldn't have specific techniques and theories how to use music in therapy. You could probably tack on some additional courses, but again, it makes your life more difficult than it needs to be and adds time and cost to your education.
Before you make any decisions, I would recommend that you enquire with the School of Music and the certification board if it is possible to upgrade from a double major to music therapy, and which classes and clinical practicals you would have to take after earning your bachelors. Let them also advise you on the best path to achieve your goal.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Michael Henson
Retired
41
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Rain, you are able to accomplish anything you set your mind to! It is said that humans use less than 10% of their brain power in their lifetime. You are in a unique position to change that. You are in a position to use your ability to use much more of your brain power than that!
1. You have youth on your side
2. You are thinking outside the box by even considering a double major
3. You have the capacity to inquire of others about situations you are not aware of.
This says to me that once you step out on the faith that is specifically you, you can move mountains!
First things first though! Be sure that you take care of yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually and I’m sure you will soar!
All the best in your future powerful moves!!
1. You have youth on your side
2. You are thinking outside the box by even considering a double major
3. You have the capacity to inquire of others about situations you are not aware of.
This says to me that once you step out on the faith that is specifically you, you can move mountains!
First things first though! Be sure that you take care of yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually and I’m sure you will soar!
All the best in your future powerful moves!!
George F Spicka
Compose Music \ Play Jazz Piano \ Curator of Paleontology
18
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
George F’s Answer
Absolutely yes.
I have a friend who graduated from Princeton with a degree in psychology, and a minor in music.
I have a friend who graduated from Princeton with a degree in psychology, and a minor in music.