Bridging Art and Science: How Philanthropy and Passion Built UC Berkeley’s Music Therapy Pipeline

Otvos is now working on her music therapy certification through Cal State University, Northridge. The process is rigorous, including further training in music, counseling, science, and research. After completing her coursework and a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical training, Otvos will need to pass a board certification exam and continue to re-certify every five years.Otvos would have loved more courses at UC Berkeley. She mentioned how she could have benefited from more guest lecturers, specialized training in different music therapy techniques, and shadowing experiences with working music therapists. Still, she felt that her academic background prepared her well for her current path.Otvos actually ran into Acosta back in April at a music therapy conference. The organizers announced that Otvos received a scholarship, and as she stood up, the two spotted each other. They excitedly caught each other up on their latest endeavors.Berkeley’s music therapy program has grown in important ways over the past few years. The courses now count toward College of Letters & Science graduation requirements for arts and literature and for social and behavioral sciences. This shift has attracted a broader range of students, according to Acosta. Both of her introductory courses this fall are overenrolled.“I’m always excited to advocate for music therapy because I feel like the more people who know about it, the better and the more apt people are to use it and to understand that it’s out there,” said Acosta.

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