Music Therapy Source School Guide - 4th Edition (2023)

Want to Become a Music Therapist?

Save 40+ Hours of Research with This One Guide

The #1 Resource for Comparing AMTA-Approved Music Therapy Programs Across the U.S.

Trusted by aspiring music therapists, parents, and academic advisors nationwide.

Make a Smart Start in a Competitive Field

Choosing the right music therapy program shouldn’t be a guessing game.

With dozens of degree options and no centralized resource, most students spend weeks piecing together information from scattered websites.

This guide changes that.

The Music Therapy Source School Guide was created by a board-certified music therapist to help you make informed decisions without wasting time, energy, or money.

What You’ll Get

• A comprehensive directory of 90+ AMTA-approved schools
• A clear side-by-side comparison of degrees offered, locations, and distance learning options
• Guidance for selecting the right program based on your goals and values
• Real-world advice from a practicing music therapist who’s worked with students and interns for over a decade
• Free updates - the 2026 Edition is currently being edited and is scheduled to arrive in August 2025
• A tool designed to save you 40+ hours of online searching and manual comparison

Bonus Resource: 

Start Smart – Real Answers to the Questions Future Music Therapists Actually Ask

You’ll also receive Start Smart, a focused 13-page companion guide packed with the real questions students and families ask — the ones that don’t get answered on school websites, but absolutely affect your decision.

This guide is concise, practical, and built on nearly 15 years of clinical experience. It’s been refined through hundreds of conversations with prospective students, parents, and interns.

Inside Start Smart, you’ll learn:

• How to choose the right school based on location, cost, and clinical training
• What to say (and ask) when contacting faculty
• What a real day in the life of a music therapist actually looks like
• How much you can expect to earn — with current AMTA salary data
• What instruments you’ll be expected to play — even if you’re not a confident singer
• What classes you’ll take (and how hard they are)
• How music therapy is actually different from music education
• A smart, time-saving method for finding scholarships and financial aid

This is the kind of resource most people spend weeks piecing together on their own.

You’ll get it all in one place — clear, honest, and no fluff.

Who This Is For

• High school students exploring career options
• College students considering a transfer
• Parents seeking a clear and trustworthy guide for their child
• Anyone curious about the field of music therapy and where to begin

Why Choose Our Guide?

This guide is more than just information; it's a labor of love from someone who lives and breathes music therapy. As a practicing music therapist, I've experienced the joy of using music to help others and want to share that joy with you.

Hear From Our Readers:

"Music Therapy Source School Guide is a huge treasure for a small price. Our family recommends it—a thoroughly prepared and beautifully communicated resource."

• Dee F, California, Mom of a Future Music Therapy Student

"I bought and read your School Guide and really enjoyed it. It was nice to have all the information right in front of me instead of digging through all sorts of stuff. Thanks for writing it!"

• Devin, Future Music Therapy Student

"I know that Music Therapy is what I want to do not only work-wise but also invest in. Thanks again for providing such a great, handy resource. I know it saved me a TON of time."

• Michelle M, Hawaii, Future Music Therapy Student

"I've been using your site for years...since high school! Thanks for the help!"

• Fred R., Board Certified Music Therapist, Graduate Student

Get Started Today

The guide is $39 — a one-time purchase that gives you instant access to the full School Guide and bonus FAQ (Start Smart), plus free updates for future editions.

Start your journey in music therapy with clarity, confidence, and the right tools.