Music Therapy Internship
Embarking on a music therapy internship is a meaningful step toward becoming a confident, compassionate, and skilled clinician. Our program provides hands-on experience with diverse populations, opportunities for creative and evidence-based practice, and personalized supervision to help you grow professionally and creatively.
Our music therapy internship program in private practice offers students meaningful opportunities to expand their clinical skills across diverse settings. We aim to help interns become well-rounded emerging professionals with strong, entry-level competencies across a variety of placements.
At RGV-MTWC, we specialize in serving Mexican American communities and integrate culture-centered music therapy practices throughout our supervision, treatment planning, and clinical approach. Interns gain valuable experience working within a culturally responsive framework that honors the identities and traditions of the clients we serve.
Our goal is to prepare students for a successful transition into the professional world. Throughout the internship, we support interns in developing essential clinical and professional skills, including time management, clinical documentation, assessment and report writing, and effective session planning.
During the training experience, music therapy students will observe, co-lead, and eventually lead music therapy sessions under the guidance and supervision of board-certified music therapists on our team, ensuring a supportive and progressive learning environment.
The Application Process
Application reviewed
Application submitted
Interview scheduled
Interview conducted
Decision letter emailed
Eligibility for Music Therapy Internship
Completed all required coursework from an AMTA approved music therapy program
Completed all required clinical experience with an AMTA approved music therapy program (3-4 semesters of practicum)
Attends an AMTA approved university music therapy program that has an established affiliation with our practice
About Internship:
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Applicants that are accepted into the internship program will be required to adhere to routine background checks prior to or at the start of internship.
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Interns receive a total of $3,000 throughout the six month internship. Payments of $250 are issued on the 1st and 15th of each month. Housing and transportation is not provided.
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Interns are expected to average 40 hours per work week. Interns may attend community events with our staff to receive additional hours as needed.
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As a private practice, we work in a variety of clinical settings including:
Neurodivergent adults in community-based settings - individual sessions
Youth and adolescence in mental health settings - individual and group sessions
Telehealth (diverse clientele) - individual sessions
Memory care - group sessions
Hospice music therapy - individual sessions
Music-based community wellness
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We categorize our setting as private practice and interns within our program will experience the full range of settings offered within our private practice including individual sessions with neurodivergent adults, individual and group sessions for youth and adolescence in mental health settings, individual hospice sessions, group sessions at memory care facilities, and community wellness events.
Internship placements vary depending on the needs of our community and current/available settings during the time of internship. Interns will work with their primary supervisor to determine what settings meet the student’s current learning objectives and build clinical experiences to expand their therapeutic skills.
We provide both in-facility and community-based music therapy throughout the Rio Grande Valley. This means that interns will have time in their schedules at our center as well as home health sessions and sessions in community facilities.
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Interns will have access to our Resource Drive, which includes support for documentation, navigating the EHR system, interventions, session planners, study guides, and more!
Interns are also encouraged to attend weekly team meetings for additional support, feedback, and guidance.
Each intern will receive an Internship Resource Book (featured on our TikTok/Reels) to improve organization, self reflections, hour tracking, and recommended readings.
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Our primary approach to music therapy in this region is a culture-centered framework, which honors the unique culture and community of the Rio Grande Valley. It draws from Mexican American studies and decolonization, feminist perspectives, humanistic approaches, and highlights person-centered healthcare.
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This placement is structured to provide music therapy students with opportunities to grow and develop their musical and clinical skills.
As supervisors, we strive to create a well-round environment to prepare interns for the professional setting through a sequence of observation, co-therapy, and then leading music therapy sessions independently.
From a person-centered perspective, we encourage students to bring their authentic, whole selves to supervision, and we value honesty, positive work ethic, empathy, and self reflection when working with students. We feel that it is important to have open and constructive dialogues in order to facilitate a positive learning environment.
We seek to meet the learning needs of each student by meeting them where they are in their clinical journey and providing them with resources to develop their own clinical style and find their unique place within the profession.
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Interns will complete two projects throughout the course of their internship. Topics for projects will focus on the student’s objectives and seek to expand clinical and/or musical growth in those areas.
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Interns will complete midterm and final evaluations throughout the course of internship. This will include musical evaluations via voice, guitar, and piano to demonstrate proficiency of clinical repertoire for this setting and culture. Written evaluations will also be completed at each point to assess student progress and identify areas for growth.
Training Periods
Spring Placement
Months: January - July
Application Deadline: 8/31
Interviews: 9/1 - 9/30
Decision: October 5th
Summer Placement
Months: April - September
Application Deadline: Closed
Interviews: Closed
Decision: Closed
Fall Placement
Months: July - December
Application Deadline: 2/28
Interviews: 3/1 - 3/31
Decision: April 5th
All dates are tentative. Please refer to the internship schedule or official announcements for confirmed start dates.
Application Requirements
Completed application and resume, submitted through the form on our website before the deadline date
Two letters of recommendation, submitted by academic or clinical supervisors
Interview & Musical Skills Demonstration, scheduled virtually or in-person after application is received
Once your application has been reviewed and processed, a member of our team will contact you to schedule an interview. Interviews may be conducted either via Zoom or in person, and no preference will be given to either format.
During the interview, applicants can expect questions regarding clinical interests, prior practicum experiences, strengths and areas for growth, and therapeutic philosophy. Applicants are also encouraged to prepare questions for the interviewers related to the internship, including topics such as the surrounding region, clinical settings, and other relevant information.
The interview will also include a musical skills demonstration, during which applicants will showcase their proficiency with appropriate clinical repertoire.
Applicants should prepare the following selections:
Two songs using guitar and voice, demonstrating contrasting styles and accompaniment patterns
Two songs using piano and voice, demonstrating contrasting styles and accompaniment patterns
One song using percussion and voice (acappella with a functional accompaniment pattern)
One song using a third instrument (optional)
Letters of Recommendation:
Apply for Music Therapy Internship
Interested in completing your internship with RGV-MTWC? Simply fill out the application form below, and we’ll contact you soon with the next steps. We look forward to hearing from you!