Music therapy in South Africa : music therapists' perceptions of training needs for current practice

Abstract

This dissertation outlines the music therapists’ perceptions of training needs for current practice in South Africa. The purpose of my research is to construct a profile of music therapy graduates from the University of Pretoria who are currently practising in South Africa and to find how they perceive the MMus (Music Therapy) training programme in terms of their currents needs in practice, as well as their suggestions in terms of the adaptation of the training programme. The study is conducted within the qualitative and quantitative research paradigm, using questionnaires as data collection method, that were sent out to music therapists that graduated from the University of Pretoria. The survey collected data on the demographics and personal details of the respondents, their professional training and practice trends and their views of the fit between the training programme and practice needs, and suggestions as to where adaptations to the training programme might need to be made, based on their practice experience. Training in business skills and marketing together with additional information on client groups, contexts and the development of clinical and practical skills were identified as perceived needs in their practices. These correlated with the suggestions made for adaptation of the training programme.