How to Find a Career in Music Therapy

To find a career in music therapy, identify the setting where you'd like to work. Hospitals, schools, community settings, correctional facilities and private practice are options. With clarity about where to work and the right qualifications, you can establish a rewarding music therapy career. 

1. Obtain the proper music therapy credentials for your jurisdiction. This may include a master's degree in music therapy and board certification.

2. Gain experience in the field by finding internship opportunities. Contact hospitals, schools and community organizations offering music therapy programs to inquire about a possibility of becoming an intern.

3. Search university and hospital job boards. These may be job listings visible in a job office or online job postings accessible via the Internet. Study the job postings to determine if the job description and required qualifications are a match for your interests and skill set.

4. Look in newspapers and online classifieds. Private practices, community organizations and other employers may post ads when in need of music therapists. Review these ads on a regular basis.

5. Speak to the career placement center in your educational institution. The university from which you graduate may have access to musical therapy job openings.

6. Contact colleagues in the therapy field. Counselors who practice other forms of therapy may have job leads in their fields or may know of other job opportunities.

7. Start your own private practice. If you'd rather run your own business, consider starting your own music therapy practice. Build up clientele by marketing yourself. Consider partnering with a colleague who practices a different style of therapy.