Field Study for Music Therapy Students
Applications are now open for summer 2025!
Get a Jumpstart on Your Music Therapy Career with Our Field Study Program!
Are you a music therapy student eager to gain hands-on experience and build your skills before diving into your 6-month internship? This is your chance to get your foot in the door, enhance your resume, and develop strong clinical, musical, and professional skills that will make you stand out when it’s time to enter the job market. This field study is designed for music therapy students who have completed at least one clinical placement, though we are open to all motivated music therapy students. If this program isn’t the right fit for you, we also offer other internship opportunities to help you gain the experience you need. (Click HERE to learn more about our other options!)
Field Study Details
- Dates: May/June through mid-August (exact dates based on intern availability)
- Commitment: 15-20 hours per week
- Classroom-Like Environment: While hands-on, this field study operates in a structured, educational setting to foster skill-building and professional development.
- Transportation Required: You’ll need access to reliable transportation to be eligible for this internship
Why Apply?
- Enhance Your Marketability: Build key clinical, musical, and professional skills that will make you more competitive when you’re ready to apply for your music therapy internship and enter the job market
- Real-World Experience: Work alongside experienced music therapists, observe therapy sessions, participate in team meetings, and engage in meaningful work that will directly support your professional growth.
- Boost Your Resume: Gain a valuable, resume-building experience that sets you apart from other job seekers and internships.
Ready to Apply?
If you’re eager to develop your skills, build your network, and get a closer look at the field of music therapy, this field study is for you. Apply now to be part of this exciting opportunity!
For more information or questions, contact Caleb Parsons, MT-BC at (860) 949-5723 or caleb@infinitymusictherapy.com.
As an intern, you will...
Complete a case study under the guidance of a MT-BC
Conduct a weekly adapted music lesson under the guidance of a MT-BC
Conduct a community music program
Observe 1-3 clinical sessions weekly (group and individual)
Participate in a clinical guitar class
Participate in weekly workshops with your co-interns
Have the option to attend additional workshops to expand your intervention knowledge
Attend weekly team meetings to learn first-hand knowledge on how a clinical team works
Complete home assignments to expand your clinical, musical, and professional knowledge
Your weekly workshops
#1 Deeper Understanding of Disabilities: This workshop will move beyond basic definitions and will include how to assess for various needs across various disabilities/ disorders in each domain area. Interns will leave with a variety of interventions to assess for various needs.
#2 Session Design: This workshop will focus on how to successfully transition between interventions and build sessions that take into account the sensory system and cognitive processing. We will discuss when it is appropriate to “throw out” your session plan and go with the flow.
#3 Get Music Therapy Out of The Box: We will cover including other creative arts into music therapy. We will look at how MTs support and communicate with other allied health professionals and how using a more diverse clinical vocabulary can improve professional relationships. The Scope of Practice will be explored.
#4 From Student to Intern to Professional: This workshop will cover what you need to know when transitioning between these roles. How do you look for an internship? What are they required to give you? What are the best ways to study for the exam? How do you avoid burnout? What can you do for self-care? How do you find and accrue CMTEs without going broke?
#5 Time to Get a J-O-B!: Wahoo! Its time to get paid to play! This workshop will explore the differences between employment and contract work, salaried and hourly positions, etc. We will review what NEEDS to be in your resume and cover letter and will practice answering top interview questions. We will also review how to compare job offers.
#6 Introduction to Business Ownership: We will discuss different types of legal entities, costs and benefits, marketing, and various topics as it relates to creating and growing a business.
#7 Ethical Issues in Music Therapy: We will review the code of ethics and the differences in ethics between AMTA and CBMT. We will discuss differences in ethical, professional, and legal concerns. We will use an ethical decision making model to assess a variety of scenarios.
#8 Thinking on Your Feet: How quick can you give an elevator speech? Can you answer questions about the benefits of music therapy, reimbursement, or a MTs training? How fast can you come up with intervention ideas or write songs on the spot? This workshop will help you develop your on the spot thinking and challenge your flexibility.
To Qualify You Must...
1. Be a current music therapy student (undergrad or graduate level).
2. Be organized, punctual, and have reliable transportation.
3. Be willing to commit a minimum of 15-20hrs per week. Interns are expected to report to our clinic every Tuesday at 9:15am-11:15am for staff meetings. Workshops and community music group times are to be determined. Observations and other assignments are scheduled according to the intern’s availability.
3. Be willing to sign a Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality, and Hold Harmless Agreement. (If under 18, a parent or guardian must sign consent).
4. Pass a drug test and/or background check.
Ready to apply?
Application materials are accepted January 1-April 1 of each year and top-scoring applicants will be invited to interview by April 10. Please submit the following materials to Caleb Parsons, MT-BC, Lead Student Supervisor at caleb@infinitymusictherapy.com. Questions can be directed to the same email.
A current resume
A cover letter including your dates of availability, what you hope to gain from your time at Infinity, and any obligations you have during the summer
Two letters of reference (one professional, one personal) that speak to your organization, ability to participate in a team, and your character
A video of a two-minute audition tape on the instrument of your choosing
A paper answering the following questions: What does it mean to be a member of a team? Why are you currently studying music therapy? What do you envision your dream job to look like? What is the biggest need the field of music therapy has? What is your musical background? What experience do you have working with individuals with developmental disabilities or with mental health disorders?
Clinic Location
Main Office:
196 Queen Street
Southington, CT 06489
Contact Us
General Questions/ Referrals:
Main Line (860) 518-5557
Fax (888) 200-4093
info@infinitymusictherapy.com