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Music Therapist

Occupation Information table
Overview: Music therapists plan, organize and direct music activities and learning experiences as part of care and treatment of patients to help bring about changes in their behavior. They help patients better understand their feelings, capabilities and how they can fit into society through music.
Duties: They plan and organize musical programs and activities that enable patients to emotionally express themselves. Such self-expression helps patients to different kinds of social situations.

They diagnose mental patients' needs in order to prescribe individual treatments for each patient. The objective is to help bring about more socially accepted behaviors.

Evaluate patients' responses to musical therapy by observation and interviewing them about their feelings, motivation, attitudes and reactions.

They recommend to patients musical methods to stay in touch with their feelings and as a means of self-assessing their own emotions.
Degree(s): A.S. Music 
A.S. Dance 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 9% to 13% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $29,000 to $35,000
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: Training for music therapy is very specialized and must be pursued in a college or university with a program accredited by the National Association for Music Therapy. To become a music therapist, you must earn a bachelor's degree in music therapy with courses in music, psychology and social sciences followed by a six-month internship at an approved treatment facility.
Recommended Skills:
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Dance, drama, music, that is, things that are performed in front of an audience.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Being aware of the reactions of others, and understanding why they react the way they do.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Teaching others how to do something.
Recommended Values:
  • Being able to express creative ideas through the arts.
  • Doing something to contribute to the betterment of the world. Doing something for the greater good.
  • Being involved in helping other people in a direct way either individually or in a small group.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.