After completing this academic coursework, students are required to complete a 1,040 hour music therapy internship, usually lasting six months. At this time, students are eligible to take the board certification examination. They must maintain this professional status through continuing education activities. Music therapists are usually given staff positions at the facility at which they work. This may mean they are salaried or get paid by the hour.
Some music therapists work contract positions at their facility.
This means they are actually an independent contractor working at the desired location. This, in my opinion, is slightly different than an individual working in private practice. Some of the positions are funded just as a secretary, physical therapist, or teacher might be funded. These monies are built into the facility's budget. Typically, however, music therapists are funded by grants and less commonly, through third-party reimbursement.