Music Therapy Practicum

Pre-Internship Clinical Training Opportunities

Music therapy students are required to complete 180 to 300 hours of clinical training prior to internship. These hours are accrued through course-related field trips and practicum courses. Clinical training begins first year as an observer paired with an upper division practicum student. Hands-on co-leading experiences occur during second year. Upper division practicum students lead sessions independently. Music therapy faculty supervise all field experiences providing students with onsite observations of their work, individual and group supervision, and ongoing support for personal, musical, and clinical development.

Students must complete practicum with 3 different populations. In term clinical terms, a population is a group of individuals with a specific need or diagnoses. Different populations required varied music therapy techniques allowing students to develop a diverse skill set. We are fortunate to have a supportive community that welcomes music therapy students.

Older Adults

• Hospice
• Long-term Care
• Dementia Disorders
• Parkinson's and Other Neurological Disorders
• Wellness and Supportive Services for Aging

Medical

• Acute Care
• Intensive Care Unit

Mental Health

• Residential Care for Chronic Illness
• Outpatient Adult
• Behavioral and Emotional Disturbance in Adolescents

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

• Autism
• Down Syndrome
• Intellectual Disability

Music therapy majors are seen throughout educational and healthcare facilities in McDonough County. We provide music therapy services through the fieldwork program in long-term care facilities, assisted living centers, day health programs, special education classes in local schools, a residential treatment center for adults with mental health disorders, a day service program for adults with intellectual disabilities, early childhood and Headstart programs, and in our on-campus clinic.