At the completion of the program, the student is eligible for professional certification as a music therapist. The music is the tool through which the therapist involves the client in the therapeutic interaction. The professional music therapist works with a wide range of clients in a variety of settings. Music therapy contributes to the treatment and re-mediation of problems with emotionally disturbed children and adults, the mentally challenged of all ages, the physically handicapped, the visually and auditorily impaired, the learning disabled, and the aged. Some of the newest include work in physical medicine including surgery, orthopedics, labor and delivery, and work in holistic health clinics where music therapy aids in stress reduction and development of self-awareness.
Music therapists use a wide variety of musical experiences and activities as therapeutic tools.
Anyone interested in this profession must be a good musician with performance skills voice or at least one instrument, and have a good general knowledge of music. An outgoing personality, a strong sense of responsibility, and a positive outlook are all necessary traits for the successful music therapist. The music therapy program offers a broad scope of academic courses emphasizing strong music education with extensive practical experience in music therapy techniques. All university resources are utilized to provide the student with a diverse and complete music therapy education. These include a well-equipped library of materials, records, and equipment useful for music therapy practice and the entire Arizona State University library system including the science library.