Field Study Program

for Music Therapy Students

Are you a music therapy student who is hungry to learn and its not quite time for your 6-month internship? This program is designed to help you get your “foot in the door”, beef up your resume, and develop some strong clinical, professional, and musical skills to increase your marketability once you are out on the job market. This field study program is best suited for students who have completed at least one (1) clinical placement. This program is conducted June-August with the exact dates determined by who is accepted into the program. This program requires approximately a 20hr/week commitment and you must have access to reliable transportation in order to qualify.

This program and your position is unpaid, as you will not be replacing any of our staff, and is conducted in a modified classroom environment. We accept one student each summer for this program.

As a field study student, 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 group for children with special needs with your co-interns
Observe 1-3 clinical sessions weekly (group and individual)
Participate in weekly workshops with your co-interns
Have the option to attend additional workshops to expand your intervention knowledge
Attend weekly meetings to learn first-hand knowledge on how a clinical team works
Complete home assignments to expand your clinical, musical, and professional knowledge

To qualify for this internship, you must...

1. Be a current music therapy student (undergraduate or graduate level

2. Be organized, punctual, and have reliable transportation.

4. Be willing and able to commit to 20 hrs per week.

5. Be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement, non-compete, non-solicitation agreement, and a hold harmless agreement. If under the age of 18 are required to have a parent/ guardian sign consent, as well.

6. Be able to pass a background check and/or drug test.

Ready to apply?

Applications are accepted January 1-June 1 for that year’s summer internship program. To apply, please send the following documents as a PDF via email to Erin Jester, MT-BC, Executive Director at erin.jester@beyondwordscenter.org. Questions regarding the program 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 Beyond Words, 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
An essay 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 special needs or with mental health disorders?

Natalie Kulka

Summer 2020 Field Study Intern

Natalie completed her 3rd year at Loyola University in New Orleans as a Music Therapy and Psychological Sciences double major when she started her Field Study Internship at Beyond Words. Natalie is a graduate from North Royalton High School. In 10 weeks, Natalie completed 147 hours of observation, co-leading, training, meeting with supervisors and traveling from June 4-August 7, 2020. Natalie's experience is best described in her own words:

"My experience as part of the Field Study Program at Beyond Words was overwhelmingly positive. Throughout the summer, I was able to observe a wide variety of music and dance camps for children with special needs, as well as several adapted music lessons and individual music therapy sessions. I had the opportunity to lead music interventions under the supervision of the Beyond Words therapists and expand my knowledge through special trainings. The Beyond Words team helped me work toward my goals as a future music therapist by catering to my specific interests while simultaneously providing me with opportunities which broadened my perspective, solidified my therapeutic skills, and built my repertoire. I highly recommend this program to any music therapy student looking to gain further clinical experience outside of their university placements."

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