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Home / School of Music / Music Therapy Internship

Music Therapy Internship


The Music Therapy Internship is an exciting learning period for music therapy students where your academic work is solidified and translated into clinical practice.   It is designed to provide supervised work experiences over an extended period of time during which students consolidate their knowledge and skills in music therapy, specialize in one or more clinical populations, and gradually assume the full range of responsibilities of a professional music therapist. Successful completion of a CAMT-approved academic program and internship is necessary for those wishing to apply for accreditation with the CAMT in order to practice music therapy in Canada. Successful completion of an AMTA-approved academic program and internship is necessary for those wishing to apply for certification with the CBMT in order to practice music therapy in the U.S.

The University of Windsor provides the unique advantage to students in allowing them to complete their internship prior to graduation as part of the Bachelor of Music Therapy degree. There are a number of advantages to completing the internship prior to graduation

    1. Students are provided with support in securing an appropriate internship site.
    2. Students receive support from U of W Music Therapy faculty during the course of their internship.
    3. Students are able to network with both music therapy faculty and with other U of W interns while they are at internship off campus.
    4. Students are considered full-time students and therefore their scholarships & loans continue.
    5. Students are not required to pay athletic fees if their internship is located far afield.
    6. Students are covered by the university for malpractice insurance (something required of internship at their own cost -- quite expensive)

How Does The Internship-As-Part-of-The-Degree Work?

The student:

    • Registers for 32-490 Music Therapy Internship
    • Makes an individual appointment with Dr. Clements-Cortes approximately 1 year prior to interning for support in finding an appropriate internship site.
    • Receives support from Dr. Clements-Cortes before and during internship
    • Communicates regularly with Dr. Clements-Cortes during the internship and submits required assignments via e-mail.
 

Questions? Contact Dr. Clements-Cortes by e-mail at acortes@uwindsor.ca
 
Music Therapy: Internship Procedures

Time Line
3rd Year
    • make an individual appointment with Dr. Clements-Cortes to discuss internship
    • Download, view-on-line, or read the internship registry document posted on the music therapy board. Come to the meeting with questions about different internship sites and how they fit with your individual interests for internship.

6 months Prior to Completion of all other Coursework
    • Apply to approximately 3-4 sites (Eligibility: successful completion of all coursework & proficiency tests).

During Internship
    • Work closely with a qualified supervising music therapist (MTA) for 1,000 hours at an approved site
    • Maintain minimum monthly e-mail communication with Dr. Clements-Cortes and submit assignments as outlined on the syllabus
    • Work on CAMT accreditation application with supervising music therapist and Dr. Clements-Cortes
    • Develop skills and strategies for securing employment as a music therapist
    • Start employment search process at approximately 3 months into the internship

Upon Completion of Internship
    • Eligible for CAMT accreditation and CBMT certification
    • Secure employment as a music therapist and enjoy a rich and rewarding career in music therapy!
    • Keep U of W informed about your success, change of address, and any other pertinent news!

Questions? Contact Dr. Clements-Cortes in person or by e-mail . acortes@uwindsor.ca
Music Therapy: Internship Placement Location
Choosing an Internship Site: Considerations in Making a Decision:
    1. Financial:
      • The majority of placements do not offer stipends, or accommodation
      • Placements may charge fees for supervision of interns
      • Consider costs which might be incurred during your job search after graduation.
    2. Geographic:
      • Are you willing to relocate? If so, you will have a greater choice of internship sites.
      • Consider the advantages of internship in a region where you would like to work later.
    3. Philosophy:
      • What treatment philosophy do you wish to pursue?
      • Get specific information on the supervisor’s philosophy, particularly if they have indicated an "eclectic" approach. Many supervisor’s listed in the CAMT Internship Registry have written a personal vision statement which will help you become familiar with their philosophies.
    4. Clientele:
      • Consider with whom you would eventually like to work.
      • Some sites provide experience with only one population, while others have two or three.If undecided, those with variety may be more helpful to you.
    5. Special Demands/Opportunities
      • Do they meet your needs and expectations?
    6. Student Evaluations
      • What do other interns think of this site?
      • Have other interns had success in job placement there or in the neighbouring community?

Internship Search

A current listing of all CAMT approved internship sites in Canada is available for loan in hard copy in Dr Clements-Cortes’ office. There is also a copy posted on the Music Therapy Board. You can download or read the document on-line at any time by logging into the members’ area on the CAMT website and downloading it.


For those wishing to intern in the United States, a listing of all available AMTA-approved internship sites is available online at: www.musictherapy.org

Please note that internship in the US is typically planned for the American student. Canadian students and other foreign national students can intern in the US, but they should be aware that their first option is to intern in Canada. There is a considerable amount of red tape required for Canadian students interning in the US (particularly after 9/11) As well. students should be aware of the impact of the US-Canadian dollar exchange rate on their budgets. Canadian and foreign national students who are, however, genuinely interested in the experience of interning in the US will certainly be supported by the U of W. Those students desiring to intern in the US should contact Dr. Clements-Cortes to explore their options.

Letters of Inquiry:

    1. E-mail Inquiries should be sent out at least one year ahead of completion of course work. Generally e-mails can be sent after you have your meeting with Dr. Clements-Cortes in year 3.
    2. This e-mail  should include: an introduction to yourself (who and where) and your anticipated dates of internship.
    3. Internship sites may respond with a formal application form and an information packet. Read these carefully and then write down any further questions you might have. As you compile this information, begin eliminating those which do not seem right for you. Others may simply outline in a return e-mail the steps you need to take in order to apply for the internship.
    4. Follow up those e-mails from sites which you are considering with a telephone call if you have any further questions. Perhaps e-mail the site and ask to set up a phone conversation. Telephone calls will indicate an interest on your part and can leave a good impression. Have questions written down before you call so that you will get all the information you need and so that you will sound organized.
    5. If possible, a visit to your potential site might help you better determine if this is the place where you would like to live and work for 6 months (1,000 working hours).

Developing a List of Potential Sites:
    • Develop a list of potential sites in the order of your preference.
    • Include a few alternative sites to apply to in case your choices become inactive or do not accept you.

Questions? Contact Dr. Clements-Cortes in person or by e-mail . acortes@uwindsor.ca
Music Therapy: Internship Application Process
The Application Process:
The CAMT has set out specific guidelines for internship and internship application.
    • Complete information may be found at the CAMT website (www.musictherapy.ca).
    • Dr. Clements-Cortes will assist students in completing the applications and meeting CAMT requirements.

Acceptance Letters:

    1. You are expected to acknowledge an internship acceptance in a timely fashion (30 days unless otherwise specified)
    2. You should contact Dr. Clements-Cortes concerning when and where you have been accepted. A copy of your letter confirming your intent to intern at that site will suffice.
    3. If you have been accepted at more than one site, it is important for you to decline in writing those offers of internship which do not interest you as soon as possible (30 days, unless otherwise specified).

Before Leaving for Internship:

You should:

    1. Meet with Dr. Clements-Cortes to complete necessary paperwork, receive the course syllabus and answers to your questions. You will need to bring the CAMT Internship Proposal form to that meeting and Dr. Clements-Cortes will sign that for you. You can then bring this to your internship supervisor to sign.
    2. Register for internship (32-490)
    3. Make inquiries concerning any scholarships or student loans to determine if they need a letter from Dr. Clements-Cortes or your onsite MTA supervisor  confirming that internship, although only 1.5 credits, is considered full-time.
    4. Complete any necessary paperwork for waiver of student fees if your internship is a distance from Windsor.
    5. Apply for graduation (so you do not need to return to campus to do so)

For Canadian Students Wishing to Intern in the U.S.

You will need a J-1 visa. This visa lasts 1 year. The cost is a $6 processing fee. The internship site must submit it for you, however you, as the intern, are responsible for getting the information and assisting the internship site with the process. Because legal procedures can change frequently, details are not provided on this site. For more information about this, you should

    1. Conact the American Consulate in Toronto or Montreal OR
    2. Go to the US Department of State website and search for either "Student Exchange Program" or "J visas".

Questions? Contact Dr. Clements-Cortes in person or by e-mail .