Music Therapy Knowledge, Interest, and Career Recommendations: A Survey of Music Educators

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine high school music teachers’ knowledge of music therapy, interest in music therapy, and career recommendations for music therapy relative to other music careers. High school music teachers (N = 65) from one southeastern state completed a researcher-designed survey instrument designed to investigate these areas. Results indicated varied levels of knowledge about music therapy, although teachers who previously attended institutions that offered music therapy degree programs provided higher knowledge ratings than those who had not attended institutions with music therapy programs. Additionally, participants reported a relatively high interest in music therapy and a willingness to promote it as a career to their students. Participants reported that they were most likely to recommend music education as a career to their students, followed by music performance and music therapy. In response to open-ended questions, participants indicated that they believed personal characteristics were the most important qualities of prospective music therapists and that musical characteristics were the most important qualities of prospective music educators. They also expressed an interest in more information about music therapy, especially related to job characteristics. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.