The Music Therapy Program at Western Illinois University is one of only 2 universities in Illinois that offers a bachelor's degree or a Second Bachelor's degree (aka equivalency) in music therapy. The music therapy degree program started in 1974 and has flourished over the last decade. Western's School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and our music therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Students who complete the bachelor of music in music therapy at WIU are eligible to sit for the Certification Exam for Music Therapists in order to become a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) credentialed by CBMT (Certification Board for Music Therapists). Faculty and students are actively involved in the Illinois Association for Music Therapists.