The Ultimate Guide to CMTEs Part 2: Paid Options
This is the second of a two-part blog series outlining continuing education options for music therapists. Check out Part 1 with free and free(ish) options HERE.
Paid educational courses are a very common way to get recertification credits and are offered in several in-person and self-study options. The amount of money you’ll pay for taking workshops, advanced trainings, or online CMTEs can vary widely. I’ve decided to list in my blog post the cost per individual credit rather than the total cost of courses which start at 3 credits. From my research, it seems as though $16/credit is about average. You can earn all 100 of your recertification credits via these paid options.
- AMTA-sponsored CMTEs: Various topics offered before and after the full AMTA national conference. See the AMTA website for options and to register.
- 3 CMTEs for $60 ($20/credit)
- 5 CMTEs for $100 ($20/credit)
- 8 CMTEs for $160 ($20/credit)
- Advanced Music Therapy Trainings: These are often multi-day workshops offered in person. Below I’ve listed several well-known trainings, but it is not at at all a comprehensive list.
- Neurologic Music Therapy Certification ($825 early registration for 36 credits, $23/credit)
- Level I Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music Training ($650 for 31 CMTEs, $21/credit)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Music Therapy Clinical Fieldwork ($250 for 16 CMTEs, $16/credit)
- Soundbirthing Workshop ($425 for 22 CMTEs, $19/credit)
- Standardized Self-Study Courses (cost varies based on provider fees): many approved CMTE providers have online course options via online videos or other multimedia materials. In my summaries below, I list some basics about each online provider including representative offerings, average cost per CMTE credit, and general pros/cons.
| Provider | Cost/Credit | Pros | Cons | Example Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMTA E-Courses | Individual courses range from $20 to $25/credit with AMTA Membership | -Unique topics -Bigger discounts if you’re a grad student | -High cost without AMTA membership | -Advocacy in Music Therapy -Ethics and Copyright -Music Therapy in Early Childhood |
| The Creative Clinician | Individual courses are $10/credit | -Lower than average cost -Focus on functional musicianship | -Limited variety and number of courses | -Using the Mic Looper for Music Making and Clinical Music Therapy Work -Guitar: Song Introductions and Endings -Music Therapy in Psychiatry: Music Experiences and Group Concepts |
| Dynamic Rhythms | Individual courses range from $9 to $12/credit | -Lower than average cost -Focus on professional development | -Limited number of courses | -Finding Your Harmony in Career and Parenting -On the Road Again: Thriving as Home-Based Service Providers |
| Medicinal Melodies | Online courses are $50/credit | -Unique topics offered | -High cost | -Introduction to Global Music Therapy -Superstar Supervision |
| Music Therapy Connections | Individual courses range from $19 to $25/credit | -Good range of topics | -Above average cost | -The Introvert’s Guide to Thriving in an Extroverted Career -Music Therapy CEO Project -Functional Sign Language for Music Therapists |
| Music Therapy Ed | Individual courses range from $19 to $28/credit. Can join their VIP subscription for $47/month | -Wide variety of courses offered with videos, access to Facebook forums -If diligent with VIP, can get courses for below-average costs | -Higher than average cost if going a la carte | -World Rhythms 101 -iPad Course -Open a Clinic Space |
| Music Therapy and Neuro Ed | Individual courses range from $8 to $17/credit Can join their All-Access Pass for $175 | -Focus on research and neuroscience -Unique topics | -Fewer total number of courses offered | -Aphasia and Music Therapy -Clinician’s Path to Research -Considering Vision in ASD |
| Music Therapy U | Individual courses are $11/credit | -Lower than average cost -Focus on repertoire-building with in-depth courses | -Limited variety of course topics | -Repertoire Clinic 1950s -Repertoire Clinic 1980s -Repertoire Clinic 2000s |
| Music Works Publications | Individual courses are $6/credit | -Lowest cost per credit -Focus on children with ASD and developmental disabilities | - Smaller variety of course topics | -Assessments Toolbox -Challenging Behaviors -Everyday Ethics |
| Sound Birthing | Online courses range from $10 to $19/credit | -Focus on music in childbirth | -Courses only begin at certain times | -Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth (Online portion) -Prenatal Music Bonding -Postpartum Music |
| Spiegel Academy | Individual courses are $25/credit CMTE Packages range from $15 to $22/credit | -Focus on mental health and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) -Large number of courses offered | -Higher than average cost if going a la carte | -Designing Music Wellness Classes in Your Community -In-Depth DBT Skills Study with Music Therapy Applications |