School of Music Internships
Music Internships for Residential Students
Completing an internship has never been more important for music students. Internships prepare students for their chosen discipline by providing hands-on opportunities in real-world scenarios. School of Music residential internships are designed to provide students with the chance to further develop their interests and talents and to implement musical and leadership skill sets while serving under the mentorship of a qualified supervisor.
Most residential School of Music degree programs require students to complete an internship prior to graduation. Under the guidance of the Director of Practica, students will find and secure an internship that best suits their skill set and prepares them for their chosen career path.
Questions? Email musicinternships@liberty.edu
Internship Site Information
The internship is the capstone course for many students within the School of Music. The internship is approximately 300-400 hours of supervised experience within an approved ministry or organization. Students shadow a mentor as he or she fulfills the daily functions of career and/or ministry. Students are given leadership and development oversight while learning the practicalities of working in his or her field of study.
Interested in Hosting a School of Music Intern?
Are you or your ministry/organization looking to host a School of Music intern? Each year, a large number of students are actively looking for churches, music businesses, and organizations where they can complete their internship. Securing an internship is a process that begins in the Fall semester and continues until the internship begins the following summer.
Review the internship process and host requirements below to learn more.
- Email musicinterships@liberty.edu.
- Students apply for internships based on guidance from the School of Music, submitting their resume, cover letter, and video to desired internship sites
- Perform interviews with the intern applicants that best fit your needs
- Decide on your desired intern(s) and inform BOTH the applicant(s) and the School of Music of your final decision
- Provide a job description to the Intern and the School of Music
- Submit the necessary approvals and forms
- Finalize start and end dates of the internship with your intern(s), as well as housing and meal accommodations and travel arrangements
Student interns travel across the country to be a part of the internship experience. In addition to working with the host church or organization, the student also pays tuition in order to receive academic credit for his or her internship.
The requirements listed below are ways the intern host can help the student intern meet academic requirements, develop spiritual maturity, and relieve financial burden:
- Provide a 300-400 hour internship
- Provide personal leadership and mentorship to the student intern through practical training and development
- Complete online evaluations of the student intern
- Provide living accommodations and meals for the student intern (usually in a host home)
- Compensation of the student intern is highly encouraged, though not required
- How long will it take to find an intern? The internship process begins the fall semester prior to the summer internship. Intern hosts may request interns from October-January, prior to the summer internship. The School of Music aims to have all internships secured by end of March.
- Can I host more than one intern? Yes. Many internship sites request multiple interns. If there are several students who match your requests and positions are available, you may host more than one intern.
- Am I guaranteed an intern if I request one? No. While we are eager to partner with as many internship sites as possible, the internship experience must be impactful for both the student and the intern host. If there is no student interest shown in your ministry or organization, it is possible that you will not receive an intern. However, your organization will continue to be considered for an intern in the following years.
- When will my intern arrive? Internships usually take place during the summer. The specific starting/end weeks are discussed between you and the intern(s).
- Will my intern have their own car? Possibly. Most interns are able to travel to their internship site with a car. However, this is not always the case. If your internship requires the intern to have their own car, please note this in the initial questionnaire. If you are able to provide transportation for the intern, please note this as well. This will help us send you the best intern matches.
- What if there is a problem with my intern? While problems with interns are rare, we are all human. If you experience an escalated behavioral problem with an intern, please contact musicinternships@liberty.edu. We would be glad to advise you on the next steps in resolving the problem.