Child Life Internship & Practicum
Child Life practicum
The Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Child Life practicum is a 10-week observation, requiring participation 2 days per week (6-hour days). You’ll observe child life specialists in 2 clinical areas and have weekly readings and assignments.
Pre-requisites
To be considered, you must:
- Be at a minimum junior level standing in your baccalaureate program (sophomore standing may be approved contingent upon completion of coursework requirement)
- Have completed at least 5 college-level courses focused on child life, child development, developmental psychology or family systems
- Have completed a minimum of 25 volunteer hours with children in a “well” setting (summer camps, church groups, babysitting, etc.)
Preference will be given to students who’ve also volunteered for at least 25 hours in a hospital/healthcare setting.
Due to Department of Labor regulations, you must be affiliated with a college or university throughout the practicum.
Email your completed application to childlifeinternship@geisinger.edu.
Application deadlines follow the Association of Child Life Professionals’ (ACLP) internship application deadlines. View ACLP deadlines online.
Download the Child Life Practicum application.
Questions? Email childlifeinternship@geisinger.edu.
Contact us
Child Life Student Coordinator
Child Life Department
100 N. Academy Ave.
Danville, PA 17822
570-214-9693
tmcraddock@geisinger.edu
Child Life internship
Geisinger also offers a 16-week, 40-hour-per-week, clinical internship. Our program is designed for students or graduates with a child life major or a related field who want to enter the child life services profession. People not affiliated with a college or university are also encouraged to apply. This training is offered twice each year, in the fall and spring semesters.
Requirements
To be considered, you must:
- Have a bachelor's degree or be a senior in college/university pursuing a child life degree or a related field
- Have met the coursework criteria for the child life certifying exam, including completion of 1 child life course taught by a certified child life specialist
- Have completed the ACLP eligibility assessment
- Have experience working with both well and hospitalized children
Internship application process
Complete the Common Child Life Internship Application (with your eligibility assessment and transcripts).
Email completed applications to childlifeinternship@geisinger.edu.
Application deadlines follow the ACLP’s internship application deadlines. View ACLP deadlines online.
Questions? Email childlifeinternship@geisinger.edu.