Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School

College of the Arts

Department/Program

John J. Cali School of Music

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Karen D. Goodman

Committee Member

Edina Renfro-Michel

Committee Member

Julian P. Keenan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gather information regarding the use of creative arts in music therapy practice. The survey used to collect the data was a 10 question multiple choice survey with an option for participants to provide any additional information they found necessary. This survey collected responses from 457 actively working music therapists in the United States. The data collected in this study was analyzed both quantitatively for statistical purposes as well as qualitatively to explore common themes and trends among participants. The results of this study showed the following: 1. The largest group of currently working music therapists (41%) have been working in the field for 0-5 years and most have either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in music therapy; 2. Music therapists are employed at a variety of settings and work with a diverse group of clients; 3. A large percent (59 %) of music therapists are not being educated in the creative arts, and only 28% had any required creative arts courses as part of their curriculum; 4. This is an inverse relationship to the amount of music therapists that integrate creative arts into their sessions (81%); 5. Music therapists that do integrate creative arts into their sessions are integrating all the different creative arts: poetry, dance/movement, visual arts and drama; 6. The greatest response cited to not utilize other arts was lack of training; 7. Nearly 72% of responders indicated they would be more willing to utilize creative arts in their practice if they would have received training. Other important topics explored in this study were any limitations of this study as well as possible topics for future research.

Comments

"Fall 2016"

File Format

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