Music psychology degrees are available as master's or doctorate programs in the United States and abroad in such countries as the United Kingdom. Individuals studying music psychology at the graduate level earn a Master of Arts in the subject. These programs may consist of individual courses that can be taken separately without obtaining a degree, or can be combined with required courses to result in a degree.
Master's programs are for students who already have earned a bachelor's degree in any subject, while doctorate programs are for students who have earned a master's degree in a related subject. Music psychology is not widely available at the bachelor's level as a college major, but students may have the opportunity to take courses in the subject, especially if their majors are related to psychology or music. As an alternative, students may complete a double major in music and psychology in preparation for the master's program.
Students who want to teach music therapy or who are musicians and want to expand their knowledge within the realm of psychology and music may be interested in a music psychology degree. Courses within this degree cover a range of topics including psychological approaches to music, vocational training in music therapy or music education and research related to music psychology. It is an examination of others as well as yourself. Other coursework includes psychology, music, social and behavioral sciences and general studies.
Requirements for these master's and doctorate programs include essays, research and a dissertation thesis. Students should participate in the department of music within the university at which they are studying. Students choose a majority of their courses, which allows them to focus on their desired areas of study within the subject of music psychology. Different programs are available depending on the student's experience. For example, at the University of Sheffield, a Master of Arts in Psychology of Music is for everyone -- that is, for students who either have a vague understanding of music psychology or none at all. However, the Master of Arts in Psychology for Musicians is intended for graduate musicians who work within the fields of music therapy, performance or teaching. Qualifications for a music therapist include an interest in people and in the subject, a desire to help others, creativity, imagination, openness to ideas, interest in psychology and a background in and love of music.
It takes about one to two years for a student to earn a music Psychology degree. Students can complete the programs either part-time over a period of two years, or full-time over a period of a year. Most courses are taught on-site at the college or university rather than online through distance learning. Master's students may start on their doctoral research if they plan to earn a Ph.D. in the near future. Master's programs teach students about research methods used by psychologists, which is helpful information for writing a dissertation, doing research for music therapy jobs or for completing a doctorate degree.
Music psychology degrees give the degree holder multiple career opportunities including teaching music therapy, researching music therapy, writing about music therapy, working as a psychologist or therapist and using music as therapy for patients. Use music therapy during physical rehabilitation, as a motivation to cope with treatment, emotional support for clients and families and an expression of feelings, according to the American Music Therapy Association. It is a way for those who have trouble expressing themselves to communicate with others.