A survey of professional music therapists concerning entry level competencies

The project suggests that intended therapeutic outcomes should determine the professional competencies needed to achieve those results. Competency identification literature reflects use of presage, process and product criteria, expert consensus, job task analysis, and practitioner testimony. The present project was completed in two phases. The Phase I survey contained 150 competency statements to be rated on an 8-point necessity scale by all responding Registered Music Therapists (RMTs). Phase II contained 100 items that were rated by RMTs and Certified Music Therapists (CMTs). Findings showed a preference for an eclectic approach to treatment, the psychiatric hospital as the most used setting, and the developmentally disabled as the largest client group. Over two thirds of all responding therapists had a bachelor's degree with less than 5 years' experience. Most competencies obtained average ratings in the upper half of the scale and were placed in similarly rated groups. Very few items had ratings that reflected differences in respondent characteristics.