by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic Therapy was the 519th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 665 degrees in this year alone. This 21 less than the prior year, a decrease of 3.2%.
Our 2023 Best Music Therapy Schools ranking analyzes 57 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for music therapy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of music therapy programs later in this article.
Teaching others how to do something has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to music therapy. Talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
music therapy degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional music therapy certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different music therapy degree levels. You can get anything from a in music therapy to the highest music therapy degree, a . The time it takes to complete a music therapy degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to music therapy, with approximately 35.9% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for music therapy workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 35.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 24.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 19.1% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.6% |
About 80.0% of workers in careers related to music therapy obtain at least master's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in music therapy careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the music therapy career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your music therapy degree? Music Therapy careers are expected to grow 25.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to music therapy.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Therapists | 28,900 | 19.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for music therapy graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for music therapy graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers music therapy grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Therapists | $57,680 |
With over 119 different music therapy degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased music therapy school rankings to help you with this.
Music Therapy is one of 15 different types of Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,655 |
| Occupational Therapy | 9,958 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,161 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 1,046 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 870 |
Image Credit: By Barbara E. Carver under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
