Music Therapists

Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.

What They Do

Music therapists work directly with patients to improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being through carefully designed musical activities. They assess each client's needs and create personalized treatment plans that might include singing, playing instruments, writing songs, or listening to specific music. During sessions, they guide patients through these activities while observing their responses and adjusting the approach as needed. Their clients range from children with developmental disabilities to elderly patients with dementia, veterans with PTSD, or individuals recovering from strokes or injuries.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Samuel Merritt University, CA
$94,881
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(professional)Western University of Health Sciences, CA
$93,424
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)California State University-Sacramento, CA
$91,568
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Bay Path University, MA
$90,763
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Mount Saint Mary's University, CA
$89,701
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(professional)University of the Pacific, CA
$88,755
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Alabama State University, AL
$88,667
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)California State University-Fresno, CA
$88,276
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, NY
$86,237
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(masters)West Coast University-Los Angeles, CA
$86,227
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(masters)West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies, CA
$86,227
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)San Francisco State University, CA
$85,961
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(professional)University of California-San Francisco, CA
$84,998
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Dominican University New York, NY
$84,178
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)University of Nevada-Las Vegas, NV
$83,708
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(masters)University of Louisiana at Monroe, LA
$83,514
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Dominican University of California, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Loma Linda University, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)California State University-Long Beach, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Notre Dame de Namur University, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)University of the Pacific, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)University of California-San Francisco, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Chapman University, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(doctoral)Los Angeles Pacific University, CA
$83,234
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(professional)Azusa Pacific University, CA
$83,148

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