Child Life Internship Procedures
1. After a student has been accepted into the Child Life Program (60-90 hours, minimum of 12 HD hours, 3.0 GPA, and application), the student should schedule a meeting with the coordinator of child life, Dr. Sherwood Burns-Nader, to discuss:
- Career goals
- Internship goals
- Possible internship sites
- Applying to internships
2. Child life internships are 12 credit hours, and classes should be completed before the internship semester. Internships are completed during the last semester of the student′s undergraduate program. Because the internship is very time consuming, it is recommended that students only take the 12 hour internship course during their internship.
3. Students obtain information about potential internship sites through online searches (i.e., Google search of “child life internships in state”) and/or conversations with other students and advisors. Such searches outline the requirements for each site.
4. Most child life internships will use the Internship Readiness Common Application. Students will complete the application, including completion of the eligibility assessment and submission of an unofficial transcript. Students are encouraged to seek feedback and guidance on application material from Dr. Burns-Nader or other faculty.
5. Internship sites require at least one experience with children in the healthcare setting, with most preferring a child life practicum experience.
6. Applications to child life internships are due the semester prior to the internship on the following dates:
- September 5 for Spring semester
- January 5 for Summer semester
- March 15 for Fall semester
7. Once internship sites receive the applications (typically 100 or more), they will review each application and score them individually. Scores are used to determine interviews. If internship sites invite students to a virtual or phone interview, they will contact them to schedule a time for the interview. Interviews vary from site to site but typically include the time for students to share their interest in child life and showcase their knowledge of child development and child life through behavior-based questions (e.g., tell me about a time you used play to meet the needs of a child). Internship sites will then use the interviews to determine who they would like to offer an internship position.
8. After acceptance into a child life internship program, the student should inform Dr. Burns-Nader of their internship.
