Child Life Internship & Practicum
Child Life practicum
The Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Child Life practicum is a 10-week observation, requiring participation two days per week (6-hour days). You’ll observe child life specialists in two 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 a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Have completed at least five 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.
Application deadlines
- Fall: March 15
- Summer: Jan. 5
- Winter: Sept. 7
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, clinic-based 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, and follows the Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP) recommended dates for offers and acceptance.
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 one 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.
Questions? Email childlifeinternship@geisinger.edu.