It is tempting to try to find definitive answers to your questions about choosing the “best” school for studying Music Therapy but, like any other important decision, it is very individual.

In the United States, music therapy programs are offered in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Of the 93 schools approved by the American Music Therapy Association (and therefore offering accredited music therapy programs):

• 48 offer the undergraduate degree only
• 43 offer the undergraduate degree and MA
• 2 offer only the MA
• 9 offer the doctorate in either music therapy (3), music education with an emphasis on music therapy (4), or expressive arts therapy (2)
• 7 schools offer online programs at the graduate level
• 5 master’s music therapy programs in the United States lead to a degree in both music therapy and counseling 

Entry-level practice requires an undergraduate degree, typically 4.5 years. In New York State, the master’s, as well as the License in Creative Arts Therapy, is required.

For an overview on music therapy education and training, consult Music Therapy Education and Training: From Theory to Practice (Goodman, K. , 2011, Charles C Thomas).

For a sample of  information about education, training and practice aboard, see the European Music Therapy Confederation. There are also numerous Facebook pages involving music therapy which can be good places for informally engaging with other music therapy students and professionals.

Before searching out music therapy programs, ask yourself a few questions…

Have you read about music therapy? Observed music therapy? Spoken to a music therapist? Have you had any hands-on experience with challenged persons?

For an inclusive list of publications in the library on music therapy, see worldcat.org and type in “music therapy.” For a sample of available full-text journal articles go to Google Scholar and type in search words.

See the AMTA (“The education of a music therapist.”) for details relevant to each level of study.

In general, the undergraduate requirements are inclusive, the equivalency provides the opportunity for a student who has a degree in another field other than music therapy to complete outstanding undergraduate requirements, the graduate programs address advanced clinical and research competencies and doctoral programs encourage research and teaching opportunities.

Consider this before choosing a public (in-state vs out-of-state) vs private university. If you choose a more expensive school, is there scholarship support?

Assuming you are entering a program where the music audition is competitive, make sure you have prepared and practiced for the audition.

Unless the internship offers a stipend, the answer to this question is important for financial planning.

In order to even begin to list the “best” schools, one would have to tease out multiple factors, much of which is not found on program websites.

Considering the following…

For tips on how to apply and receive scholarships, check out our guide here.

See 2025  Forbes‘ “America’s Top Colleges.”

Note: Twenty-three of the 93 universities offering music therapy are identified on this 500-member list. Those found within the top 100 include:

• NYU, #49 (private)
• Florida State, #65
• University of Minnesota, #75
• University of Miami, #82 (private)
• Southern Methodist, #99 (private)

Note: This list of 582 four-year degree programs includes both music schools and music departments within universities.

Of the 20 of the 93 music therapy schools on this list, those within the first 100 include 13:

• NYU
• University of Miami
• Berklee College of Music (note: geared to popular musicians and not within a university)
• Florida State
• SMU
• Belmont University
• Shenandoah
• Loyola
• University of Miami (Frost School of Music)
• University of Missouri
• Drexel
• Temple
• SUNY-Fredonia

AMTA requires a minimum of one full-time faculty members per academic program, a minimum of a Masters degree for teaching in a graduate program. Technically, there is no AMTA oversight for doctoral programs.

See the AMTA for curriculum advice, based on competencies.

Note that NASM oversees the strength of the curriculum as well. According to NASM, programs offering a Bachelor of Arts a greater number of general studies (i.e. for example 39 of 120 credits) than the Bachelor of Music degree. One requirement for the Masters program that has proven advantageous is the inclusion of a final thesis.

Is it eclectic or partial to one theoretical orientation (i.e. psychodynamic, behavioral, neurologic)? Since the variety of clinical settings and clinical needs are so diverse, music therapy trainings delimited to one theoretical approach can be problematic.

Is there a practicum for three of the four years in the program if it is at the undergraduate level? If there is no undergraduate program and you are entering directly as a graduate student, do you have the music skills to perform well in clinical work? Are there varied types of pedagogical presentation?

These might include didactic, experiential, individual and group projects.

I.e., 20 maximum.

Does the university provide identified special services for students in need of them?

What are the number of placements in the facility, ratio of students to facility and experience of the on-site supervisor?

(In-state and out-of-state.)

Does the university provide direct support and oversight of internship placements (i.e. vs short-term practicum placements being used for internship)  that utilize more than one therapist, varied clinical approaches and academic opportunity?

In 14 of the 50 states in the USA, board certification is required for clinical practice and in states not technically required for board-certification, may be included in qualifications for a music therapy position.

The board certification test is taken after completion of the music therapy degree. Although there is no formal requirement for the university to train students for the BC exam, does the university provide academic support for the exam?

See previous section.

This can be very helpful for you in terms of vocational outcomes.

In response to my last consideration, “Is there anything that distinguishes this program from others you are looking at?” I might call your attention to the following programs, in no specific order…

Housing a music therapy program that started in the 1950s and an on-campus music therapy clinic in the ’70s. Undergraduate, certificate equivalency and graduate levels. Features the laboratory for Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences; graduation data available on website.

Western Michigan University

Noted above as a school with both academic and musical excellence, Florida State houses a music therapy program that started in 1950 with the tradition of teaching music therapy within a behavioral psychology context. Undergraduate, equivalency certificate, and graduate levels. Offers music major undergraduates a living-learning community.

Florida State University

Dedicated to popular musicians, Berklee College of Music, a private music school rather than a university, is recognized as a “Best College for Music”. It features faculty with courses which are unusual: Assistive Music Technology for the Visually Impaired, Mind-Body Disciplines for Musicians, and Community Music Therapy. Boston itself offers a wide array of practicum possibilities. The music therapy program, which is undergraduate only, hosts symposium annually which draw good attendance.

Berklee College of Music

Recognized within the top 100 by both the Forbes “2025 Best Colleges” and the “Best Colleges for Music” previously cited in this article, University of Miami, a private university, offers the undergraduate, certificate equivalency, graduate and Ph.D. in Music Education with Music Therapy emphasis.

University of Miami

Recognized within the top 100 by Forbes “2025 Best Colleges” , this Twin Cities campus has a long standing undergraduate and doctoral (Ph.D. in Music Education with Music Therapy emphasis) music therapy program, an on-campus clinic and metropolitan opportunities for practicum.

University of Minnesota