Music Therapy Internship

The music therapy program at Children’s Health℠ is committed to providing quality education and training to prepare you for a career as a music therapy professional. Children’s Health offers a 6-month (1,040 hour), full-time, unpaid internship designed for students who wish to obtain board certification and pursue a career in music therapy. This highly competitive internship program has been an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) National Roster Internship Site since 2004 and seeks committed students who are currently enrolled in music therapy university programs approved by AMTA. 

Music therapy internship opportunities are offered only at the Children’s Medical Center Dallas campus with start dates in January and June of every year.

Click here for more information about the music therapy internship for a music therapy internship information packet. 

  • Requirements

    This internship requires enormous flexibility and inherently contains a lack of structure and predictability. Furthermore, outstanding musical skills, especially in the areas of voice and guitar, are crucial to the success of the candidate. Please consider these requirements before applying.

    To be considered for a music therapy internship at Children’s Health, the candidate will be required to meet the following criteria. 

    • 3.0 cumulative GPA
    • Enrollment in a university music therapy program accredited by the American Music Therapy Association
    • Successful completion of the music therapy coursework at the university prior to beginning the internship
    • Attendance at a university that is willing and able to enter into a contractual agreement with Children’s Health in a timely manner
    • Completion of 3 different practicum experiences with at least one working with children and a minimum of 180 total pre-internship hours
    • Demonstration of ability to sing accurately and on pitch, both a cappella and while playing on an accompanying instrument
    • Demonstration of ability to transpose a simple tune in three keys, using the I, IV, V chords on piano and/or guitar
    • Basic knowledge of child development (motor, language, social, emotional)

  • How to Apply

    Apply Now

    Please carefully read below to find out what information you will need for the internship application.

    • Current resume listing academic background, music therapy practicum experiences and other relevant information.
    • Cover letter explaining why you have chosen to apply for this internship site and what qualifies you for this internship.
    • Complete unofficial academic transcript from all universities you have attended. (If selected, you will be asked to submit official documentation)
    • Question responses with no more than 250 words each that answer the following questions:
      • Why are you interested in becoming a music therapist?
      • What is your philosophy of music therapy?
      • What are your goals and expectations for this clinical internship?
      • What skills do you wish to enhance through this internship experience?
    • A YouTube link of a mock music therapy session (with friends, family, etc.).  This should be between 10-15 minutes.  Please make sure all YouTube links are unlisted or public, not private.
    • A YouTube link that includes a demonstration of musical skills on piano, guitar and voice.
    • A YouTube link of the applicant answering each of the prompts below.  Each answer should not exceed one minute.
      • Please tell us how you would explain music therapy to a member of the medical staff at a pediatric hospital.
      • Please play one minute of a song that would be appropriate for a teen (must use guitar or piano).
      • Please tell us about a time when your interventions appeared to fail during a session and discuss what you learned from the experience.
      • Please tell us about a time you had to approach an authority regarding a difficult subject.
      • Tell us about your greatest strengths and your areas for growth.

    In addition to the online application, you must submit three letters of reference (from non-relatives). These letters should address your clinical, communication and musical skills. At least one of the letters should be from your academic professor including a statement of your eligibility to begin an internship.

    These letters must be emailed directly by the person completing the letter to mtinternship@childrens.com. 

    Please contact Karen Norris for questions and more information

Share: