Internship | Overview

MusicWorx—a Place Where Music Therapy Interns Get Their Feet Very Wet

Each year, MusicWorx offers eight world-class clinical training internships in America's most desirable city—San Diego!

Among referring universities, MusicWorx has a solid reputation for accepting only the best and brightest music therapist interns. Music therapists face stiff competition when applying for internship, and once accepted, they meet a demanding study and practice load. In addition to two formal writing assignments, internship requires 1,040 hours, comprised of the following:

85 hours orientation
520 hours case study, documentation, music therapy direct service, presentations, special project
80 hours intern symposia, staff and in-service meetings
60 hours professional growth, self-awareness
52 hours formal/informal observation, supervision
130 hours administrative tasks
65 hours coordinating with team members, practicing music, session planning
48 hours illness, observance of holidays, personal discretion

MusicWorx provides interns extensive opportunities to work with very diverse populations. But MusicWorx also focuses on helping interns to develop business marketing skills to maximize success potential in future careers as independent music therapists and consultants.

A thorough explanation of the internship program, the candidate process, and the outline required for applying appears in the Internship Application, downloadable from the Prerequisite Documents page.

»Prerequisite Documents

MusicWorx Interns Enjoy Uncommonly Diverse Experiences

Treatment Settings

adult day care
community-based agencies
general hospital
hospice
integrative health centers
public schools
rehabilitation facilities
substance abuse facilities
self-employed private practice

Treatment Populations

Alzheimer's disease and dementia
bereaved
cancer
comatose
developmentally disabled
infants and toddlers
K–12 youth
lifestyle change
medical/surgical
neurologically impaired
special needs education
stroke
traumatic brain injured

Return to Top

Interns Praise Dr. Reuer's Program

“I am in my third month working at All Children's hospital, and I am loving it. I have been seeing referrals on all of the patient units, and I have started training and working with music therapy volunteers and doing department/child life special events and music groups for different age groups.

The music therapy department received a million dollar endowment! The endowment mostly covers my salary every year, but we have hopes of continuing the internship program in two years, and the position has job security.

I can never say thank you enough for all your educational help and support.”
—Meryl Barns,
July 2009 Alumna

“Barbara, you’re incredible. I never imagined that this internship would give me as much as it has. You are who I have to thank. Your gentle constructive feedback has taught me so much about my abilities as a musician, a therapist, and as an individual. It always meant so much to me when I would receive a call from you at the end of a long day. You were always a voice of inspiration, courage, wisdom, and independence. MusicWorx blows my mind, and if I’m a third as successful as you, I will rest happily. Thank you for everything that I am able to verbally express, and thank you even more for those things which I cannot put into words. I feel blessed to have been able to work with you.”
—Courtney Worrell Baughman,
June 2003 Alumna

“. . . there is no way for us to realize how much you have contributed to our lives. Barbara, you tirelessly work for our benefit—all of us. From the depths of my being, I thank you.”
—Sam Brodsgaard,
December 2008 Alumna

“You’re so available, so knowledgeable, and you strike the right balance between being realistic about the world and making us feel like we’re ready to take it on. I don’t think I could have asked for a better, more well-rounded internship experience. I’m proud to have completed my internship at MusicWorx.”
—Rachelle Norman,
July 2004 Alumna

“Barbara, you constantly amaze me, for so many reasons. I look up to you as a businesswoman, as a mentor and as a soon-to-be colleague in the field. You have brought so much to the community of San Diego. You have touched so many different people—so many that you will probably never know but who have benefited so much from services that you have brought them. I hope that someday, with my own business, I am able to impact people the way you have. I have learned so much from you, Barbara, from all of your expertise, your determination, and your passion for all that you do! Thanks again for this amazing opportunity!
—Alex Bashor Field,
December 2007 Alumna