Child Life Services

Practicum Program

The Child Life Practicum at Dell Children's Medical Center is offered 3 times per year and is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a certified child life specialist.  It is an opportunity to learn more about the child life profession and to observe and participate in child life services.  Practicum students facilitate age-appropriate play for patients in various activity areas and observe Child Life Specialists over the course of 2 rotations to learn more about interventions in specific clinical areas. Students work a maximum of 20 hours per week to accumulate approximately 220-280 hours over the course of the semester (about 11/14 weeks). A student's weekly schedule is dependent on the supervising child life specialist and varies from rotation to rotation. Practicum placements are unpaid and do not guarantee future employment at Dell Children's Medical Center.  Housing, meals, transportation, and medical insurance are the responsibility of the student.

Child Life Practicum Requirements

1. Completion of or currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. Priority is given to applicants with an educational background in child life, child development or human development, family systems, education or another closely related field.
2. Work or volunteer experience with well children in a group or individual setting.
3. A minimum of 50 hours experience working directly with hospitalized children, preferably in a Child Life program. These hours must be verified by a supervisor on institution letterhead.
4. Commitment to a 220 hour, 11 week practicum. The practicum is offered Monday - Friday but the hours will vary depending on the schedule of the practicum student's rotation supervisor.

Application Process

Applicants who meet the above requirements must submit an application to the Child Life Student Committee to be considered for an interview. Please submit all application materials together in one envelope. A complete application must include all of the following:

1. Child Life Practicum Application (handwritten applications will not be reviewed)
2. Professional resume including academic and clinical experience
3. One professional letter of recommendation from an academic professor, supervisor, or other professional who has directly observed the applicant's work with children.
4. Verification of at least 50 hours of volunteer experience working with children in a healthcare setting on institution letterhead.  At the time of application, a minimum of 25 hours must be completed and verified on institution letterhead. The remainder of the hours must be completed and verified by the practicum start date. Please include a copy of any written evaluation received from a volunteer or practicum experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Based on the quality of each candidate's education/experience, a candidate may or may not be contacted for an interview. Not all candidates will be selected for an interview and not all interviewed candidates will be offered a practicum.

Applicants who submit incomplete or falsified applications will not be considered.

Application Deadline Schedule: 

Applications must be received by the application deadline or they will not be considered. Application deadlines are as follows:

Practicum Begins	Application Deadlines	Offer Deadlines	Acceptance Deadlines
January (winter/spring)	September 19	4th Tuesday of October	Following Wednesday
May (summer)	January 19	4th Tuesday of February	Following Wednesday
September (fall)	May 19	4th Tuesday of June	Following Wednesday