In the 1940s, changes in philosophy regarding care of psychiatric patients as well as the influx of WWII veterans in Veterans Administration hospitals renewed interest in music programs for patients. Many musicians volunteered to provide entertainment and were primarily assigned to perform on psychiatric wards. Positive changes in patients' mental and physical health were noted by nurses. The volunteer musicians, many of whom had degrees in music education, becoming aware of the powerful effects music could have on patients realized that specialized training was necessary. The first music therapy bachelor's degree program was established in 1944 with three others and one master's degree program quickly following: "Michigan State College a University (1944), the University of Kansas degree only (1946), the College of the Pacific (1947), The Chicago Musical College (1948) and Alverno College (1948)." The "National Association for Music Therapy" (NAMT), a professional association, was formed in 1950. In 1956 the first music therapy credential in the US, Registered Music Therapist (RMT), was instituted by the NAMT.