Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Child Life Department offers an experiential practicum program for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a child life specialist. This practicum is aligned with the Association of Child Life Professionals’ 2013 Practicum Task Force recommendations.
Over the course of the practicum, students will become acquainted with the hospital environment and will have the opportunity to interface with and learn from members of the child life staff. While shadowing child life assistants, students will learn why play is an important part of helping hospitalized children cope. With child life specialists, students will learn about the importance of preparing children for procedures, teaching effective coping techniques, and engaging patients in therapeutic play.
The practicum program is 6 weeks and requires a minimum of 120 hours spent in the hospital. Shifts are scheduled on weekdays between 7:00am and 6:00pm with shifts and times changing throughout the summer based on staff schedules and availability. Typically, in a two-week period, students will spend either 4, 10-hour shifts or 5, 8-hour shifts at the hospital. The practicum is offered during the summer semester only.
Practicum Applicant Requirements
| 1. College | Minimum of 50 college credit hours Be working toward or have completed a bachelor’s degree in child life, child development, human development and family studies, psychology, or a closely related field Minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale |
| 2. Child Life Course | Completion of a child life class taught by a certified child life specialist For a list of schools offering this class, visit the ACLP website: Academic Programs Offering CCLS Course |
| 3. Additional Coursework | Completion of a minimum of 5 classes in child life, child development, family systems, play, psychology, loss/bereavement, death/dying, or related fields For more detailed information, visit the ACLP website: ACLP Coursework Guidelines for Certification |
| 4. Experience with Children | Minimum of 6 months working or volunteering with children in any setting |
| 5. Experience with Children in a Medical Setting | Minimum of 50 hours working or volunteering directly with children in a medical setting (hospital, clinic, medical camp, etc.) |
| 6. CPR Certification | Current CPR certification from any certifying organization (i.e. Red Cross, American Heart Association, etc.) is required at time of application |
Required Application Materials
Please include all materials together in one envelope. Do not send items separately.
Do not send extra/additional items.
| 1. Application | Completed Phoenix Children’s Hospital Practicum Application |
| 2. Resume | Include all relevant experiences and number of hours worked |
| 3. College or University Transcripts | Unofficial transcripts or photocopies of official transcripts ARE accepted Transcripts must include cumulative GPA |
| 4. Verification of Work with Children Hours | Letter from employer/supervisor verifying time spent working or volunteering with children in any setting |
| 5. Verification of Medical Setting Volunteer Hours | Letter from employer/supervisor verifying time spent working or volunteering with children in a medical setting |
| 6. Letters of Recommendation | Two current (within the past year) letters of recommendation with at least one letter from someone who has observed you working directly with children Letters can be addressed to “Phoenix Children’s Hospital Practicum Committee” and should be in sealed, author-initialed envelopes |
| 7. CPR Certification | Copy of current CPR certification card |
Send completed application packets to:
Child Life Department – Practicum Committee
Phoenix Children's Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Please direct any questions to CLinternship [at] phoenixchildrens.com (CLinternship[at]phoenixchildrens[dot]com)