Degree

Hi,
I was thinking about wanting to become a Music Therapist. Can I become a music therapist if I double major in music and physiology? I wanted to go to the University of Hartford and the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, CT. Could I do that? What specifically would I have to major in the Hartt School of Music? There are many areas to go in. What should I go in?
Thank you very much!!!

Maybe psychology over physiology, not sure which would be better. There is a national organization for music therapy, don’t remember the name but you could google it. That should explain requirements to get certified. As I recall from hearing about therapy when my kids were sitting through info sessions for other music degrees, music therapy requires some clinical work. Not sure whether that is possible without a specific therapy degree, but again that national org site could tell you.

Don’t know anything about the schools listed, but I know here in Ohio people often go to Baldwin Wallace for music therapy degree. Probably other schools as well, I’m just not as up to speed on that.

What instrument(s) do you play?

The Hartt School does not have an undergrad degree in music therapy. http://harttweb.hartford.edu/undergraduate/default.aspx
There are indeed many areas of study at this conservatory, you are right, but we don’t have enough information to respond helpfully.

Hartt School is a conservatory that is part of the University of Hartford, as you know. The University of Hartford does not offer a major in physiology.
http://www.hartford.edu/academics/AreasofStudy/UndergraduatePrograms-listingpage/default.aspx
They do have a physical therapy major: is that what you are looking for?

You can study music for a BM, a BA, a double major or a double degree. You can also study something else and continue with lessons and extracurricular performance or outreach/service. Here is a good essay on choosing a path for music studies:
http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html

There are undergrad degrees in music therapy, but also grad programs. Have you volunteered in this area? If not I suggest you do, before focusing on it for your undergrad studies. Ditto with PT.

My daughter has a masters in special ed with a concentration in music. She hated classroom teaching (special ed but the principal used her as a sub for general ed all the time) and left the field but she is thinking about pursuing another masters’ in music therapy because she prefers working one on one or in small group settings and loves music. She checked out some online programs just by googling music therapy graduate programs. There was one in Colorado where you only had to go out there for about a week to do clinical and the rest was online. Some of her credits would have been usable. NYU also has a program but it was wildly expensive and I’m sure it was worth it.

If you are just starting out, look up music therapy undergrad programs and see what you find. You will probably have to take some psych classes. My D took psych 101 but would need to take developmental as part of a masters. She also took sped courses in working with different types of populations and some of those might transfer, depending on the program she chooses.

You also need to consider what population you want to work with. Do you want to work with children, the elderly or everyone else? There are schools, special ed schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. that all offer music therapy programs. My d prefers the elementary aged and younger people but one of her friends like working with the elderly because she loves music from the 40’s and 50’s.

Good luck.

I meant to say NOT sure NYU is worth it…

Berklee has a program, but is costly. Lesley in Cambridge had an expressive arts program. I work with a hospice and music therapy is offered, but some of it is on a volunteer basis. One of my kids is a dancer and working on movement therapy as an undergrad. Honestly not sure how reliable a living is possible with this type of program. If you love music, why not do performance or major in general music, then see what you want to do in 4 years and specialize. Conservatory undergrads do a lot of outreach and volunteering these days.

Alternatively, you could study psychology, counseling, holistic psychology or expressive arts (the latter two are offered at Lesley) and do music on the side.