Child Life Practicum

Thank you for your interest in our Child Life Practicum Program!

We offer entry-level training, pre-internship experience three times a year through our Child Life, Education, and Creative Arts Therapy Department. This program introduces individuals to the child life field and provides an understanding of the unique experiences faced by children and adolescents in a healthcare setting.

A Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) will supervise students as they engage in both individual and group activities with children and families. Prior to participating in the practicum, students must have completed core coursework in child development and demonstrated successful experience working with children.

Program requirements

Experience: Applicants must demonstrate experience working with children and families. This can be showcased in your resume and application.
Time Commitment: Practicum students are required to complete 30 hours per week for 6 weeks.
- Clinical days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Thursdays are dedicated to educational training.
Program Breakdown:
- 1 week of orientation
- 4 weeks of clinical and educational training
- 1 elective week
Educational Background: While a bachelor’s degree in child life is not required, applicants should have related coursework. Many Child Life staff members hold degrees in Child Development, Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, or related fields.
Core Curriculum: Applicants must have completed coursework in the following areas:
- Child Development
- Life Span Development
- Death, Dying, and Aging
- Play
- Research
Additional Information: For more details about course recommendations from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), please visit ACLP Certification.

Practicum locations

To ensure a broad range of experiences, we offer practicum opportunities at three locations and are based on supervisors available during each rotation (Philadelphia campus, King of Prussia campus and Vorhees campus).