Music Therapy Internship
Site-Affiliated with Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS. Other schools by request only.
Baton Rouge General recognizes the importance of continued education and provides a challenging music therapy internship program for eligible students working towards board certification as approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). This six-month, 1040-hour program allows interns to work beside music therapists as well as support patients and families in the medical setting.
Our challenging and comprehensive internship will allow students the opportunity to interact with many different disciplines, including recreation therapists, medical staff members, rehabilitation team (PT/OT/Speech), chaplains, and social workers. Interns will experience an integrative music therapy approach emphasizing mental and behavioral health, pulmonary rehabilitation, oncology, and other medical units.
Opportunities for interns include observing and leading individual and group interventions in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Interns commit to working full-time, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility in scheduling as needed.
Qualifications and Competencies Required
To be eligible for the internship, candidates must meet specific academic and skill-based qualifications:
Academic Background
Education: Must be a senior (or master’s equivalency student) in good standing who has completed 200 hours of practicum experience.
Experience: Priority is given to applicants with high academic standing and mental health and/or medical practicum experience.
Music Skills
Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in various musical skills, which include:
- Sing with appropriate pitch, rhythm, and volume.
- Sight-read simple melodies.
- Accurately tune the guitar.
- Play basic chord progressions functionally in multiple keys on both guitar and piano.
- Adapt to various accompaniment styles, including strumming and fingerpicking.
- Transpose accompaniment chords into different keys.
- Maintain a steady beat and understand the use of percussion instruments.
- Have a working knowledge of diverse musical repertoires suitable for various age groups.
Therapeutic Skills and Professional Qualities
Interns should exhibit professionalism and the ability to collaborate effectively. Essential skills include:
- Knowledge of basic music therapy interventions applicable to mental health and medical settings.
- Effective communication and documentation abilities.
- The capacity to accept feedback graciously and integrate it into practice.
Application and Interview Process
The application process involves submitting a detailed application and background check. The Internship Director will then contact candidates to schedule an interview.
This structured approach aims to ensure that qualified applicants are selected for a transformative experiential opportunity in music therapy, allowing them to make significant contributions to the field while advancing their professional skills.
Contact Us
If you have further questions, please contact Mary Malloy, MA, MT-BC at mar857@brgeneral.org or 225-763-4592.