Child Life Practicum

Program Information

The focus of the Child Life Practicum program is to provide students the opportunity to shadow child life specialists in their daily work, apply child development and family theories to clinical practice, and implement therapeutic activities with patients and families. The Child Life Practicum consists of 150 hours over the period of 11 weeks, and includes rotations in 2 separate units. We are dedicated to providing students with high quality education, training, and experiences that are necessary to be ready for a Child Life Internship. Consequently, our program is competitive and requires us to carefully consider the education and experience of candidates. Submission of an application does not guarantee placement at CHRISTUS Children’s as our program receives many applications for a limited number of spots. We strongly recommend candidates apply to practicums with a variety of organizations.

Once accepted into the program, students must provide verification of one TB test, MMR vaccinations (measles, mumps, and rubella) and a current flu shot before the practicum begins.

Requirements to Apply

• Applicants must have achieved at least a college-level junior status or higher.
• Must have a 3.0 grade point average in the applicant’s declared major.
• Applicants must have completed at least three of the required college-level courses for ACLP eligibility prior to the start of practicum.  These courses include a course in play, a course in child development, and a course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Applicants must have at least 50 hours of work or volunteer experience with either a child life department or with children with special needs. These hours must be fully documented in your application, along with completing the ACLP verification of related experience hours.
• Experience with well children must be fully documented in your application, along with completing the ACLP verification of related experience hours form
• Two references are required. At least one reference must be from someone who has directly observed your work with children. No more than 2 references will be accepted.
• Reference forms can be submitted with your application (signed and sealed) or emailed directly from your reference to ChildLifePracticum@christushealth.org.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, are prohibited. By submitting your application and/or supporting documents, you attest that you have personally authored the content. You may utilize basic word processing software for spelling and grammar checks, but the use of AI tools to create your work is strictly prohibited. Your documents may be screened using plagiarism detection software to identify AI-generated content. Your application or supporting documents will not be considered if AI tools were utilized.