Music Psychology Programs

Music Psychology is a psychology subspecialty that focuses on the concept that music can have profound physical and psychological effects on people. The field seeks to determine what those affects are and if certain psychological conditions can be altered or created by the application of some forms of music.

Walden University

Featured Programs:
BS in Psychology - Graduate School Prep

Southern New Hampshire University

Featured Programs:
BA in Psychology/Child & Adolescent Development (Online)

While at the outset, this may not seem like a subset with significant impact on the health and wellness of a person, consider how dance therapy is helping Alzheimer's. The human mind is capable of far more than what science sees on the surface, and through interesting new advancements in the field of music psychology, good things could await those suffering from mental stress, disease and disorder.

Useful Music Psychology Resources

• Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research
• Jounal of New Music Research
• Center for Performance Science

Capella University

Featured Programs:
MS in General Psychology (Online)
MS in Child and Adolescent Development

Post University

Featured Programs:
BA in Psychology (Online)

Music Psychology Methods of Operation

Many of the advancements made in music psychology come as a direct result of the intensive research involved. Understanding the culture of human behavior, particularly as it relates to music, is the driving factor behind the work that a music psychologist does. Administering surveys, observing, and engaging in research-based practices are all part of the day-to-day responsibilities.

One will also demonstrate a deep understanding of the types of music out there, and which ones actually have a deeper effect on the human psyche. It can be a tough field if you don't like research, so make sure that you get a taste for it before pursuing this avenue fully.

Kaplan University

Featured Programs:
BS Psychology (Online)

Northcentral University

Featured Programs:
MA in Health Psychology (Online)

Careers in Music Psychology

Music psychology professionals tend to find their homes within the clinical psychology and research-based psychology communities. Since the focus is on how outside stimuli affect brain waves and behavioral patterns, there isn't a lot of need for music psychologists in the marketing and industrial-organizational fields.

As a result, it may be difficult to max out the high end salaries within the psychology field, but it is not uncommon for those with a music psychology degree to earn as much as $60,000-$70,000 annually.

Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Featured Programs:
MA in Applied Forensic Psychology (Online)

Music Psychology Degree Training

Much of the advancements coming out of the field of music psychology are focused in the United Kingdom, though there are some great programs stateside at larger schools, such as the Universities of Missouri and Minnesota. Music education coursework as well as specialization in behavioral neuroscience are both helpful areas on the way to a doctorate degree.

The field of music psychology is usually captured within a broader reaching research or clinical based area of psychology, and will likely be held to the same licensing standards. See your state for further details.