Child Life Internship

Child Life Internship

The Child Life Internship is an advanced experience that focuses on further development of skills in the areas of assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating child life interventions. 

Our Child Life internship provides clinical development through a systematic learning experience based on child life competencies. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is not offering Fall 2024 Child Life Internship Experiences. 

What You Need To Know

Eligibility & Selection
Curriculum
Application Process
Student Experiences
Salary and Benefits

Application Requirements

  • All candidates must be enrolled at a university during student experience as a senior level student majoring in Child Life, Child Development or related field (bachelor’s or master’s level academic preparations are accepted). Please do not submit an application if you are an independent student.
  • Must have completed a Child Life Practicum in a health care setting supervised by a CCLS.
  • Complete Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) Internship Readiness Common Application
  • Copy of Child Life Practicum final evaluation with supervisor’s contact information
    • Letter of verification of completion will not be accepted as a form of an evaluation.
    • If currently enrolled, please include a Child Life Internship Candidate Common Recommendation Form from Practicum coordinator as well as a midterm evaluation.

Application Deadlines

We comply with the Association of Child Life Professionals’ recommendations.

All application components are to be submitted together and received by the date below.

  Winter/ Spring Term Summer Term Fall Term
Application Due Date September 7 January 5 March 15

Curriculum

  • The internship is a minimum of 16 weeks in length and requires a time commitment of at least 40 hours per week that will include some evening and weekend shifts.
  • Students will complete two seven-week rotations and one two-week mini rotation experience.
  • Students will be assigned a main clinical rotation supervisor per rotation.
  • The Clinical Rotation Supervisors from both rotations will continue to support student throughout the entire internship.
  • A Clinical Internship Coordinator will be assigned to each student meeting weekly to provide additional support.
  • Students complete required assignments following the syllabus provided including a case study and project.

Process for Child Life Internship Application

All applications must be electronically submitted prior to the posted deadlines, Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Complete required documents and send together to the following email address with appropriate titles:

  • Send to: ChildLifeStudProg@NationwideChildrens.org
  • Subject Line: FirstName_LastName_ChildLifeInternship
  • Document Names:
    • FirstName_LastName_ACLPInternshipReadinessCommonApplication
    • FirstName_LastName_ChildLifePracticumFinalEvaluation
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee the candidate will receive an interview or clinical placement.
  • Interviews will be offered to the most qualified applicants that demonstrate they are prepared for the high level experiences that are provided.
  • Applicants are contacted by email with an interview offer or denial.
  • Candidates are interviewed by two to three Child Life staff.
  • Clinical experience opportunities vary per term and are determined by preceptor availability and other departmental needs.
  • We typically have no more than four positions for students per term which are divided between both practicum and internship level.

For Those That Are Offered Student Experiences

  • Students are processed through the Nationwide Children's Hospital student/employee route. Therefore students are required to attend a full day of general orientation on the first day of their student experience.
  • No compensation or stipends are provided to students and they are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.
  • Must be enrolled at a university and an educational affiliation agreement between Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the university is required. Nationwide Children’s has educational affiliations with most major universities in Ohio. If an educational agreement is needed, you will be required to have the necessary paperwork completed between Nationwide Children’s and your university. You may not begin your student experience until this agreement is signed. Please note it can take several months for this to be completed if your university does not have an affiliation agreement.
  • Students are required to provide proof that they are up-to-date on vaccinations including the COVID-19 vaccine and sign a vaccination agreement.
  • Students that complete a practicum level experience at Nationwide Children's Hospital will not be considered for an internship level experience.

Salary & Benefits

No compensation or stipends are provided to students and they are responsible for making their own housing arrangements