This is primarily directed to the organised music curriculum in the western world. We refer here specifically to the United States and more details will be available at the US Information Services in various Indian cities. Details about courses in other western nations are also available at the respective consulates.
Persons who complete one of the approved college music therapy curricula (including an internship) are eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Music therapists who successfully complete the independently administered examination hold the music therapist-board certified credential (MT-BC).
Does research support Music Therapy?
The American Music Therapy Association promotes a vast amount of research exploring the benefits of music as therapy through publication of the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives and other sources.
A substantial body of literature exists to support the effectiveness of music therapy. Apart from this, there is conclusive evidence that music therapy has existed in a lay form for centuries. Early man used it for every ritual. He instinctively understood its need and used it with fervour, discipline, care and purpose.1. The two associations merged in 1998 to form the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).