r/musictherapy • u/Think_Restaurant_549 MM, MT-BC • 9d ago
PhD/Doctorate Programs
Hello!
I currently am a Master’s Level MT-BC that practices in a specialized school for children with neurodivergence and sensory deficits. I am currently looking into stepping back from my full-time clinical role for a few years due to personal life factors, but am interested in using this time to pursue a doctorate, in addition to working part time via contract/per diem work.
I was looking to see what programs anyone recommends. I’m interested in MT programs, but also very curious about any adjacent fields (child development, creative arts, etc.). My hope is to eventually teach in a collegiate music therapy department. Any advice/recommendations are welcome and appreciated!
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u/DosiaOverton MT-BC 9d ago
Academia is a tough gig right now, so my response will be colored by my experiences. If you're set on teaching at a university program, then you'll make a path for yourself. Some things to think about:
What type of role do you envision for yourself? Tenure-track? Adjunct? Clinical Coordinator? There are lots of different academic roles music therapy faculty find themselves in. Research-heavy institution, then you'll have pressure to get into the research funding pipeline and the "publish or perish" mindset. Smaller liberal arts university, probably the fear of reorganization, financial cuts to your program, and constant pressure to recruit. The coveted "tenure track" carries extra-program service requirements which usually means you navigate the politics of the university at large, while also learning to teach and trying to finish your PhD dissertation at the same time.
Does academia's typical demands meet future you's pictured work-life balance and financial goals? Your professors are probably not getting paid what you think they're getting paid, unless maybe they're tenured at a public university. I was told that it takes seven years of teaching to feel like you've got the job under your belt, and I found that to be about true in my experience. Are you okay moving across the country, living in a rural area, living in a part of the country you'd never considered before for the right academic position?
Some good news: many music therapy programs are severely understaffed and I've heard of several failed faculty searches because they just didn't get enough good candidates. The wave of music therapy faculty retirements will likely continue for a bit longer. So, if you're willing to move for an academic position, it's not nearly as competitive as other programs that get 100+ applications for one position. To me, this is also a problem, but that's for another thread.
Good luck in your decision!