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

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