Child Life Internship and Practicum
Child Life application status: Applications for the Winter/Spring 2027 Child Life internship will open on Friday, August 7, 2026 and close on Friday, September 4, 2026.
We strongly support increasing diversity within the field of child life, including, but not limited to, increased recruitment of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, multiracial, other people of color, LGBTQIA+, as well as males and second career students. We also support the Association of Child Life Professionals' (ACLP's) pledge for internship equity and access and were among the first institutions to sign this pledge.
We are committed to providing quality supervision and appropriate clinical opportunities based on student goals and qualifications. We offer two programs
Please note: Application portals open 1 month prior to the application due date for each cycle. You will not be able to access or upload documents until the portals are open.
For additional information, please reach out to Mollie Saults, BS, CCLS, Child Life Intern Coordinator.
Phone: 603-650-4380
Email: mollie.saults@hitchcock.org
Child Life Internship
This clinical option is designed for students pursuing academic careers in the Child Life field, interested in gaining advanced knowledge of the Child Life profession with a goal of obtaining Child Life certification to work as a Child Life Specialist.
Students are expected to meet or exceed the minimum prerequisites for this clinical experience.
- Offered during the Fall and Winter/Spring semesters only
- Full-time: 40 hours per week over a 15- to 16-week semester, totaling 600 hours
- Successful completion of these hours meets the ACLP eligibility requirements to sit for the child life certification exam.
Students performing the internship will be responsible for assessing the developmental abilities, emotional and psychosocial needs, as well as the overall adjustment of patients to their hospitalization and/or illness. Based upon these assessments, interns will identify and implement appropriate developmental and therapeutic interventions.
Interns will complete a minimum of 2 rotations during the semester to be exposed to child life services in varying settings, all the while being directly supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist. They will also have the opportunity to shadow in other areas in which they are not assigned a rotation. Rotations can be consecutive or concurrent. Concurrent rotations are favorable for continuous growth and skill building throughout the internship.
We adhere to the ACLP guidelines on internship deadlines, offer and acceptance dates. For more information on those details, go to the Association of Child Life Professionals website.
Internship clinical experience prerequisites
- Experience working with well children outside of a healthcare setting
- Experience working with children within a healthcare setting (may be child life practicum* or other pediatric healthcare experience, such as volunteering)
- 3.0 GPA in major related field of study
- Theoretical knowledge of child life and child development
- Ten child-life related courses approved by the ACLP
- Minimum of one course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist (inclusive of six curriculum topics required by the ACLP)
- Completion of the ACLP Eligibility Assessment process
- Understanding of child life professional practice
Internship application requirements
- Completed Internship Readiness Common Application
- Proof of practicum* (if applicant has participated in a practicum).
- Three (3) professional letters of recommendation reflecting both academic work and work with children and families.
*Please note: We no longer require completion of a practicum to be eligible for an internship, however we strongly encourage a practicum, unless you are otherwise well-versed in the field, such as history of work as a child life assistant or other direct and robust experience with the child life profession. Proof of a practicum can be in the form of a letter, hour log, or form.
If you still have questions about our internship or application process, please review our Internship Q&A below.
For more information on child life services or becoming a child life specialist, please visit the Association of Child Life Professionals website.
Internship Q&A
Are you accepting for this upcoming cycle?
We do our best to keep our website up to date. If the website states we are accepting applications for the upcoming cycle, then we are currently accepting applications.
Are you using the ACLP’s application?
Yes! We are using the “Internship Readiness Common Application."
Do you accept applications by physical mail or email?
We do not accept mailed or emailed applications. Please submit your materials using our Google Forms portal. Should you have any issues with this system, please reach out to Mollie.Saults@Hitchcock.org for assistance.
When are applications due?
We follow the ACLP’s application deadlines. Please review the internship application deadlines outlined on the ACLP’s website.
The Google Forms portal said it was not accepting submissions. Did I miss the deadline?
We open the application portal 1 month prior to the ACLP deadline. Before this window, the form may display ‘This form is no longer accepting responses.’ Please check back once the 1-month window begins.
How many applications do you accept?
We review all complete applications submitted during the application window.
How many interns do you accept per cycle?
We typically accept 1 to 2 interns per cycle, depending on staff availability, to best support each student’s learning experience. Our goal is to provide a meaningful, individualized, and well-supported training environment for every intern.
Do you take summer interns?
No. We only offer internships during the fall and winter/spring semesters.
Do you have multiple hospital locations?
Our child life team is staffed at our main hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire, as well as in our Ambulatory Clinics and Surgical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. We are happy to share that we can sometimes host interns at both locations; however, this varies depending on current staff experience and availability.
Do you accept unaffiliated interns?
Yes. We are happy to accept unaffiliated interns who have completed all required child life coursework, including those who have already graduated or are not currently enrolled in a college program.
How do I show proof of my practicum?
We do not require a practicum, so showing proof of one is entirely your choice. Should you wish to show this, it can be in whatever format you prefer, such as a letter, form, or hour log.
Do you accept virtual practicums?
Yes. However, we are finding that the in-person practicums still give a more robust learning experience, and thus we encourage in-person practicums when possible.
Are you able to support visas for candidates coming from outside of the USA?
No. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to.
What kind of recommendation letters do you require?
We require three formal recommendation letters. Letters can be uploaded directly by you in the same Google Form portal where you will upload your application, or letters can be emailed directly to Mollie.Saults@Hitchcock.org by your reference. Both submission methods are acceptable; some references have a preference, so it can be helpful to check with them early in the process.
What is your application, interview, and offer process like?
We follow the ACLP’s application, offer and acceptance deadlines.
- Applications: A selection committee reviews all completed applications using a standardized rubric. We evaluate the quality of writing, relevant experiences, recommendations, and understanding of child life practice.
- Interviews: Selected applicants are invited to a phone interview with one of our Certified Child Life Specialists. Invitations are emailed a few weeks before the ACLP offer date. After phone interviews, a smaller group of candidates is invited to a virtual video interview with members of our Child Life team, typically one week before the offer date.
- Offers: We call our top candidate on the ACLP initial offer date. Candidates have until the end of the following day to accept or decline, in accordance with ACLP guidelines. If the top candidate declines, we proceed with secondary and tertiary offers in accordance with ACLP protocol.
Do you require on-site interviews?
No. To ensure our process is equitable for all candidates, we do not ask individuals to travel for on-site interviews. We do our best to provide sufficient information about our program and team so you can make an informed decision about your learning experience without an on-site meeting. We are continuing to refine our process to support this and welcome your feedback.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid for your internship?
We do not currently offer scholarships or financial aid.
Do you offer housing assistance for your internship?
Not at this time.
Are you looking to increase diversity in the field of child life?
Absolutely. We are committed to increasing diversity within the field of child life. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, multiracial, LGBTQIA+, male, and from second-career backgrounds. We believe meaningful change begins with our students and our internship recruitment.
Do you support the ACLP’s pledge for internship equity and access?
Yes! We strongly support this pledge and were among the first institutions to sign it. Internship Equity & Access Pledge.
Quick facts
- Application method: Google Forms only
- Interns per cycle: 1–2
- Accept unaffiliated students: Yes
- Visa support: No
- Practicums in progress accepted: Yes
- Virtual practicums accepted: Yes
- Interview type: Phone and video interviews
Still have questions?
Contact us
Mollie Saults, BS, CCLS
Child Life Intern Coordinator
Child Life Program
1 Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756
Phone: 603-650-4380
Email: Mollie.Saults@hitchcock.org
Thank you for your interest in our Child Life Internship Program. We look forward to reviewing your application and wish you the best in your journey toward becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist!
Apply for the internship
Application portals open 1 month prior to the application due date for each cycle. You will not be able to access or upload documents until the portals are open. Please upload your completed Internship Readiness Common Application and letters of recommendation.
Child Life Practicum
This clinical option is designed for students pursuing academic careers in Child Life, or other related fields, and who are interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of the Child Life profession, as well as experiences facing children and adolescents in the health care setting.
- Offered during the summer semester only.
- 10 to 24 hours per week over a 5- to 12-week period, totalling 120 hours of experience
Students performing the Practicum option will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in acclimating children and families to the healthcare setting, identifying developmentally appropriate normalization and therapeutic play activities, and display comfort interacting with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Based upon the student's demonstration of skills and knowledge, as determined by the clinical supervisor, students may be presented with opportunities to provide preparation and support for non-invasive procedures, participate in specialty rounds, access to relevant medical records, and help facilitate and participate in special events.
Practicum application prerequisites
- Child life practicums will be offered during summer semester only. (May to August)
- Applications for the Practicum are due in January and follow the ACLP's summer application deadline.
- Practicum students are selected based on application and interview process
Practicum clinical experience and qualifications
- Students must have completed a minimum of at least 3 college courses that are relevant to the child life field, child development, and psychology or family systems.
- Students must be able to show documented experience working with children.
Practicum application requirements
- Completed application
- Two (2) letters of professional recommendation
- Unofficial transcript
For more information on child life services or becoming a child life specialist, please visit the Association of Child Life Professionals website.
Apply for the practicum
Application portals open 1 month prior to the application due date for each cycle. You will not be able to access or upload documents until the portals are open.