Navigating the Path to Child Life: Understanding Internship Application Requirements
The journey to becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) involves several key steps, with the internship being a pivotal experience. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements and considerations for child life internship applications, drawing upon insights from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) and various internship programs.
The Role of Pre-Internship Experiences
While not a mandatory requirement for securing an internship or certification, pre-internship experiences can significantly enhance an applicant's profile. These experiences, such as volunteering or practicums, offer opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) related to working with infants, children, youth, and families.
It's important to note that the Child Life Council (CLCC) recognizes that practicums have become a barrier within the pathway to the child life profession. The CLCC does not endorse practicums or other pre-internship programs.
Pre-internship experiences can occur in various settings:
- Healthcare Settings: Environments within hospitals or clinics where children and families are involved due to medical encounters.
- Outside of Healthcare: Settings such as schools, community centers, or childcare facilities where children and families are not primarily impacted by medical situations.
The Significance of the Child Life Internship
The child life internship is a crucial component of the certification process, providing aspiring professionals with hands-on clinical training. This immersive experience allows interns to apply their academic knowledge in real-world scenarios, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and receive mentorship from experienced child life specialists.
Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships
Internships are typically full-time, experience-based, and designed to cultivate independent skills in child life practice. They are required to meet the eligibility requirements for the child life certification exam.
Internship Application Process: Key Considerations
Securing a child life internship is a competitive process. Individuals must apply to specific internship programs, and placements are not always guaranteed on the first attempt. While the CLCC and ACLP do not dictate the specific application requirements for each program, they advocate for equitable and accessible processes.
Common Application Deadlines
To promote fairness, many internship programs adhere to common application deadlines established by the ACLP. These deadlines help ensure that all prospective interns have an equal opportunity to apply and be considered.
Internship Readiness Common Application
The ACLP strongly encourages internship sites to utilize the Internship Readiness Common Application. This standardized application aims to streamline the process for both applicants and internship programs.
Cook Children's Application Specifics
Cook Children's only accepts the first 60 completed applications received each semester. Once 60 complete applications are received, the Cook Children's online application submission portal will close. This could happen well before the identified ACLP application deadline date.
Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide
Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital Internship: Specifics
The Child Life Internship Program at Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital follows the deadline, offer and acceptance dates set by the ACLP. Upon acceptance of the internship, candidates will be required to submit to a background check, pre-placement health screening, and drug screening. The pre-placement screening and drug screening must be completed at an Inova facility at least two weeks prior to the start of the internship. Interns will also be required to submit proof of liability insurance, which may be purchased independently or provided through the student’s college/university. In addition, Inova Health System’s vaccination policy requires that all Inova staff, employees, contracted clinical personnel, volunteers, students, vendors and medical staff receive an annual flu vaccination.
Students should be aware that Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital does not sign affiliation agreements. Once a candidate accepts the internship, he or she will be provided with an “Unpaid Internship Offer Letter” from Inova’s Human Resource Department.
Any additional applications that are received will not be reviewed.
Upon review of submitted materials, applicants will be notified of the status of their application. Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital does not require you to be enrolled in a degree program. However, independent students must obtain professional liability insurance.
The internship is an unpaid position. The cost of parking and educational materials is covered by the Child Life Department. You are responsible for your personal housing, transportation, and living expenses. Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital review the first 80 applications received during the acceptance timeframe and will notify all candidates of their application status. Submission of an application does not guarantee the candidate will receive an interview or an internship placement.
Read also: Internship Opportunities
The internship is a 15-16 week, 600-hour internship that is divided into two rotations, with an initial orientation week. Rotation options vary by session, and may include the Pediatric Medical/Surgical Unit, the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Ortho/Trauma Unit, the Pediatric Specialty Care Unit, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Services, Adult Services (children of adult patients), the Pediatric Imaging Department, the Pediatric Surgery Center, the Pediatric Emergency Department, Radiation Oncology, and the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week, following the same schedule as their rotation supervisors, in order to acquire the most realistic and consistent working experience.
Internship Equity and Access
The ACLP Board of Directors has identified several directives to promote internship equity and access. These directives address barriers within the internship process and aim to create a more inclusive pathway to the child life profession.
The Eligibility Assessment
The Eligibility Assessment is the candidate's way to submit and show completion of their academic requirements (degree and coursework) as well as their completion of the clinical internship. Many applicants begin the Eligibility Assessment process when they have at least a few, if not most, of their courses complete.
To complete the Eligibility Assessment, you must submit information and supporting documentation for your degree, coursework, and clinical internship. CLCC does not accept unofficial transcripts. If the name that will appear on your official transcripts does not match the name on your Eligibility Assessment, please provide us with a verification of your name change such as a copy of a marriage license or other relevant documentation.
Example of an Internship Program Enhancement: CHOP
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides a 4-month paid Child Life internship designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive training experience for future Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS).
CHOP Employment Application Questions
When applying to CHOP, applicants will encounter employment application questions, including:
- Tobacco-Free Workplace Agreement
- Flu Vaccine Requirement
- Previous Employment at CHOP
- Other standard employment eligibility questions
Voluntary Disclosures at CHOP
Applicants may also be asked to complete optional disclosures, such as:
- Veteran status
- Disability status
These disclosures help CHOP meet federal reporting requirements and support inclusive hiring practices.
Self-Identification at CHOP
This section relates to CHOP’s commitment to providing opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.
CHOP's Commitment to Intern Growth
CHOP provides:
- A structured, child life-led educational program
- Simulation-based skill building and reflective supervision
- CHOP gear (yes-intern t-shirts!)
- An environment focused on psychological safety, equity, and learning
Key Dates
Understanding the timeline for internship applications is crucial. Here are some important dates for the 2026 internship sessions:
Summer 2026
- Application Acceptance Timeframe: 12/15/2025 - 1/9/2026
- Second Round Interview: 2/10/2026
- Initial Offer Dates: Tuesday, 2/17/2026
- Acceptance Date: Wednesday, 2/18/2026
- Session Dates: Monday, 5/11/2026 - Tuesday, 8/25/2026
Fall 2026
- Application Acceptance Timeframe: 2/23/2026 - 3/13/2026
- Second Round Interview: 4/28/2026
- Initial Offer Dates: Tuesday, 5/5/2026
- Acceptance Date: Wednesday, 5/6/2026
- Session Dates: Tuesday, 8/31/2026 - Friday 12/18/2026
Note: Some institutions DO NOT offer a Winter/Spring internship session.
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