Evidence based practices in music therapy education: An international survey

Abstract

Despite considerable improvements in the clinical practice evidence base, scant evidence exists about music therapy teaching practices either locally or worldwide and how to best convey music therapy knowledge and skills via the learning and teaching process. Our broad study explores educational practices of music therapy educators around the world via a custom designed and internationally disseminated survey tool. The current paper focuses particularly on the seven research-based principles which support excellence in teaching and learning (Ambrose et al., 2010) and how these are applied within the international music therapy education community. Sixty-one experienced music therapy educators from 19 countries completed the mixed method online survey, with data analysed statistically and thematically. Results suggest that music therapy educators currently reflect on their teaching practices but need further information about educational research to support their training needs. Findings further suggest that additional evidence-based teaching materials need to be developed, provided, and accessed to support music therapy educators around the world.