Over 30 past and present music therapy educators have joined forces to realize Music Therapy Educators: Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources, a textbook whose purpose is to update and supplement existing literature on undergraduate music therapy education and training in the United States. Authors hail from public and private institutions throughout the country and represent various philosophical and “on the ground” perspectives on music therapy education. The book is intended as a practical resource for a broad audience, including graduate students who may enter academia after completing their degrees, clinicians already possessing a graduate degree who are considering a career shift into higher education, and current educators who may be seeking information and support for their work.

The book is organized into three units. The first of these provides an overview of various academic opportunities, with detailed descriptions of common music therapy academic positions, such as Lecturer and Tenure Track Faculty. Descriptions of volunteer clinical opportunities are also included. The final chapter in Unit One addresses collegiality -- how it may manifest and be nurtured among and between members of the academy. Unit Two has as its focus the development and well-being of the music therapy educator, beginning with authors’ personal narratives describing factors influencing their decision to become an academic and their experiences of transitioning into this role. Additional chapters in this unit highlight ethical obligations, the development of the educator's pedagogical approach, and strategies to help educators manage burnout and maintain health and balance. Unit Three comprises 10 chapters, beginning with an introduction to the tenets and challenges of competency-based education and continuing with a focus on curriculum and course development and delivery, with topics such as course design, syllabus construction, and assessment of student learning and grading. Unique to this textbook, two chapters in Unit Three spotlight music therapy students -- their perspectives on education and their safety during curricular self-experiences. Two chapters about supervision as a key aspect of education and training conclude this unit. The culminating chapter of Music Therapy Educators: Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources considers several possible future “visions” of music therapy education and training in the United States.

Contents

Contributors

Preface, by Susan C. Gardstrom and Courtney Belt

• The Need for This Book
• Intended Audience and Use
• Organization of the Book
• Situating the Editors
• Language and Writing Choices
• Contributors
• References

UNIT ONE: Educator Roles and Responsibilities

1  Overview of Academic Opportunities, by Courtney Belt

• Non-Faculty Instructional Opportunities
• Thesis and Dissertation Advising
• Faculty Instructional Opportunities
• Research Positions
• Administrative Roles
• References

2 Adjunct Faculty, by Debbie Bates, Rachel Maurer, and Nathan Mensah

• Adjunct Faculty Roles
• Eligibility Requirements
• Search and Selection Process
• Employment Contracts
• Primary Responsibilities of Adjunct Music Therapy Faculty
• Potential Benefits of Adjunct Positions
• Potential Drawbacks of Adjunct Positions
• Sociocultural Considerations
• Unique Challenges
• Closing Thoughts
• References

3 Lecturer, by Courtney Belt

• Teaching
• Supervision
• Course Design
• Service to the Department
• Miscellaneous Responsibilities
• Potential Benefits of a Lecturer Position
• Potential Drawbacks of a Lecturer Position
• Closing Thoughts
• References

4 Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty, by Susan C. Gardstrom

• Potential Benefits of a Tenure-Track or Tenured Position
• Potential Drawbacks of a Tenure-Track or Tenured Position
• Eligibility and Selection
• Contract and Rank
• Applying for and Achieving Tenure
• Sociocultural Considerations
• The Future of Tenure
• Closing Thoughts
• References

5 Clinical Faculty and Clinical Coordinator, by Courtney Belt and Sarah Hameline

• Clinical Faculty/Professor of Professional Practice
• Clinical Coordinator
• Closing Thoughts
• References

6 Academic Program Director, by Susan C. Gardstrom

• Curriculum Development and Oversight
• Marketing and Student Recruitment
• Auditions and Acceptance
• Academic Advising
• Internship-Related Duties
• Personnel
• Miscellaneous Responsibilities of the Director
• Closing Thoughts
• References

7 Internship Director, by Rita Antonia (Rich) Abante Moats

• Importance of the Internship Experience
• Types of Internships
• American Music Therapy Association National Roster Internships
• University-Affiliated Internships
• Administrative and Operational Responsibilities
• Supervision Considerations
• Closing Thoughts
• References

8 Collegial Relationships, by Debra Jelinek Gombert and Laura Pawuk

• Author Positionality
• Defining Collegiality
• Benefits of Collegial Relationships
• Collegial Relationships Relevant to the Music Therapy Educator
• Collaborative Endeavors with Colleagues
• Contributing Expertise
• The Value of Differences
• Institution-Wide Challenges to Collegiality
• Power Differentials and Academic Hierarchies
• Shifts in Academic Roles
• Past History and Unresolved Conflicts