Equivalency in Music Therapy Certificate Program

This program is designed for the student who holds a bachelor’s degree in music and wishes to seek board certification to begin professional practice as a music therapist. The equivalency program consists of all core music therapy and clinical training requirements, plus any pertinent courses in related fields (e.g. abnormal psychology, etc.) It should be noted that an equivalency program is regarded as entry level, regardless of the level of credit awarded for course work. The student usually registers for and earns undergraduate credit for these courses.

The Equivalency in Music Therapy requires a minimum of three semesters or one and a half years, plus a minimum of 1,200 internship hours as specified above. The internship follows the completion of all music therapy coursework.

Upon successful completion of the academic and internship components, the candidate is eligible to take the national Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists. After passing the exam, the candidate is awarded the credential Music Therapist -Board Certified (MT-BC) by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Professional membership is available with the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (AMTA).