A Post-MLE Controversy World

Yesterday, the American Music Therapy Association quietly released a statement putting an end to a process started 8 years ago.

The last portion of this "press release" stated the following (you can find the entire press release here).

The motion unanimously passed by the Board of Directors states:
Whereas, there is lack of consensus (e.g., among Master’s Level Entry Subcommittee Members and the membership) for a move to Master’s Level Entry;
Whereas, the evidence is inconclusive (e.g., Master’s Level Entry Subcommittee Final Report, two Master’s Level Entry surveys, feedback and analyses from Regional Town Hall/Concurrent Session Meetings, and Master’s Level Entry and State Recognition document) to support a move to Master’s Level Entry;
Whereas, the Board has considered its fiduciary responsibilities and financial risk tolerance for the organization’s sustainability regarding a move to Master’s Level Entry;
Whereas, the overall path (e.g., academic preparation, clinical training, and administrative support) is not sufficiently articulated for a move to Master’s Level Entry; and
Whereas, the Master’s Level Entry Subcommittee has identified academic, clinical, and administrative recommendations;
The Board of Directors moves to create a Commission on the Education and Clinical Training of 21st Century Music Therapists to: identify inconsistencies within degree programs to support clinical practice in a changing world; identify inconsistencies among and between National Roster and University Affiliated Internship programs; recommend changes to enhance current education and clinical training practices; support the ongoing efforts to increase state recognition of the MT-BC credential; and support efforts to encourage diversity and inclusion in the profession.
Hmm.

This press release, as I am sure that you know especially if you are a music therapist who uses Facebook as a form of social media, has stirred up all sorts of fervor! Fortunately, the conversation has been respectful and positive towards the opinions of others, so I've been reading it with vested interest.

You see, I've been thinking about what a Master's Level Entry would mean to our profession for a long time. I was a member of the Education and Training Advisory Board when this whole process started, so I've been researching, writing, dreaming, brainstorming, and thinking about what this would mean for our clients for a long time. 

If you don't know, this suggestion (moving to MLE) did not come out of the blue. The idea of Master's Level Entry has been something thought about, discussed, and on the strategic plan of our organization since before our merger of two associations into one in 1998. The Education and Training Advisory Board started this process in 2010 because it was the last item to be addressed on the list of tasks that were tasked to them from the merger process in 1998. That item had been placed on the list of tasks because music therapists from both of the previous organizations had been discussing the topic casually for years. I found evidence of this type of discussion back in the 1960's.

It was time for a formal investigation of what this would mean to our profession, to our professionals, and ESPECIALLY for our clients!

So, ETAB took up the task and started a two-year investigation of the idea, the possible process, and the ramifications of such an audacious change for our profession. That task was finished, presented, and then was sent to a specific subcommittee to do some further research. Over the past six years, that subcommittee has dedicated many hours to this idea and concept. The final report from that subcommittee was released earlier this year, and we had additional opportunities to talk to Assembly Delegates about the report and what we wanted as music therapists. The Board of Directors has made their decision, and that seems to be what is triggering much of the conversation over on Facebook...

Most people seem to be upset that the Board of Directors made this decision. Some of the people calling foul are members of the Assembly of Delegates and probably really wanted to have their say before voting. (This conversation, rather than some of the others that have happened on Facebook, has been polite and respectful which really makes it easier to read!) I'm not engaging there because I don't really have too much to say on the topic of Board and Assembly.

I have my own feelings about this decision, this process, and what I think will happen to our profession as a result of the Board's decision. I think it is really funny that the Commission that they are going to start up is called "Commission on the Education and Clinical Training of 21st Century Music Therapists" because we're already almost two decades into the 21st Century. That just makes me giggle because it sounds like something so very forward thinking, but we're in the century in question...

I'd really like to be on that Commission. 

I wonder if anyone will ask me to play a role.

I think that it is way past time that we do a detailed examination of our education and clinical training practices. I think this should happen on a pretty regular basis - at least every 10 years to accommodate the outdated restrictions of catalogs and curriculum changes that are part of university programs. When you start to peel the onion that is education and the onion that is clinical training, you start to see the many, MANY layers that this particular topic entails.

Paid internships and nonpaid internships - protection of students as interns - university-affiliated internships and National Roster Internships - supervisory competence - communication - course of study - student development - practical skill development - advanced skill development - competency-based training - course outlines - clinical experience of academics - differences in program focus and training - specializations - equivalency programs - business curriculum - changes in the profession versus changes in educational programming - pressure to graduate people who are not competent - market forces - market needs - university program requirements set by other organizations - professional membership costs - the list can go on and on and on and on - and it does!

My hope is that this news will lead us to being better for our clients. Isn't that what we should all be hoping for? Better clinicians providing better music therapy services to clients. Better consistency for our students so that they are already better music therapists when they go to their internships. Better consistency within internships so entry-level music therapists are actually ready to be clinicians. Better consistency in the workplace so clients can access the treatment that they deserve.

For me, however, the idea of Master's Level Entry is not over, but is no longer a major part of my thoughts. I am ready to move on into this new world - a post-MLE controversy world!

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