Application Due Date

ACLP recommends that all application materials must be postmarked by the application due date.

Please note: Some programs may want to receive applications by the due date. It is the internship candidate's responsibility to verify the postmark vs materials deadline with individual programs.

Initial Offer Date

The Initial Offer Date is the day on which all top-choice internship applicants will be notified that they have been selected. Following the interview process, all clinical internship coordinators will make offers to their chosen candidates on this same Initial Offer Date.

While you can accept an offer on the initial offer date, you may wait until the next day (the Acceptance Date) to do so.

On the Initial Offer Date, there will be applicants who do not receive an initial offer. However, these individuals may still be offered an internship position later in the week. For example, an applicant who is the second choice may not receive an offer until the acceptance date or later, if the first choice candidate has declined.

ACLP recommends that internship programs do not offer any positions to applicants prior to the Initial Offer Date.

Acceptance Date

The very next day following the Initial Offer Date is the Acceptance Date. On this day, all internship applicants who have received an initial offer will either accept or decline the offer(s). Applicants are strongly encouraged to immediately decline any additional offers and are discouraged from altering their acceptance in light of new offers.

End of the Offer/Acceptance Process

ACLP suggests that the selection process be completed within one week of the Initial Offer Date, but recognizes that this process may last beyond the week for some programs that need to fill multiple positions.

What does it mean for an internship program to be accredited?

Many child life internship programs have completed a rigorous and robust accreditation process. Accredited internship programs meet the minimum standards and requirements established for clinical preparation programs in child life in the most current Official Documents of ACLP as well as the Child Life Clinical Internship Learning Modules. Accreditation is a voluntary two-step process of self-study and external review intended to evaluate, enhance, and publicly recognize quality child life clinical internship programs, promoting the interests of students and the child life profession as a whole through continuous quality improvement of learning and professional practice. 

Do I need to be a current student to get an internship?

Not necessarily. You will need to check with the individual internship site in order to find out if that site allows independent interns or requires interns to be affiliated with a university. 

Will I need to relocate to complete an internship?

Possibly. Applicants must decide on their own what will work for their lives and schedules when applying for internships. Some applicants only apply to local hospitals, and some will apply to many different hospitals across the country (or world). Applying to more places might mean having more opportunities to obtain an interview or internship offer, but it may also mean needing to uproot, travel, find housing, and be away from home, often at your own expense. Applying to local hospitals only will limit your opportunities, but ensure that you only receive interviews or offers from those hospitals. Each applicant must take some time to weigh options and decide if relocating for an internship is realistic.

Do internships offer housing?

Not necessarily. Most internships sites do not offer housing. This would be a great question to ask during the interview process to determine if accepting the internship would be feasible for you. 

Do I get paid for my internship?

Typically, no; however, there may be a few programs that offer a stipend or scholarship. 

Can I work while completing an internship?

Maybe, but it is not advisable. You will most likely not be able to work in the hospital that you are completing your internship, as it could present a conflict between your roles. Keep in mind that most internships will be a full-time commitment (40 hours on-site) and likely involve more hours outside of the internship to complete assignments. Adding a work schedule to this already heavy load could be problematic. Some hospitals may require that you do not have a paid job while you are an intern.

Can I complete an internship part time?

The ACLP requires a 600-hour internship, which is typically completed over 15-16 weeks, at 40 hours per week; however, each internship site will determine their exact schedule. 

Are there scholarships for internships?

Yes. The ACLP has information on applying for the Diversity Scholarships. There are also several child life regional groups that offer child life internships which are advertised on the regional group’s website and social media pages.

How do I make myself more competitive when applying for a child life internship?

Hospitals look at a wide variety of factors when selecting an intern, which can include: degree(s) earned, volunteer experience, work experience, and healthcare experience. They also pay close attention to written sources, such as responses to questions. It is important to prepare carefully, reflect, and revise as needed to demonstrate well-developed professional and communication skills. Because the requirements for internship posted by clinical sites are the minimum expectations, more competitive applicants will demonstrate that they surpass the minimum requirements. In addition to application materials reflecting relevant experiences, applicants who can accurately and thoroughly articulate what they have learned will tend to stand out.

I have many years of experience working with children, do I need to complete the internship?

Yes. The child life internship is a structured program that establishes competency in both knowledge and skills for emerging child life specialists. In addition, a 600+ hour child life internship supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist is required to be eligible to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Exam. 

Are internships available in alternative settings?

Perhaps, but it is rare. Most internships take place in the hospital setting. Please note that some of the required 600 internship hours must be completed in a traditional hospital setting (no minimum number is specified). 

Do internship programs look at GPA?

GPA is not one of the elements applicants report on the Internship Readiness Common Application. However, some internship programs may require it. It is the applicant's responsibility to determine the requirements for each internship program.

How competitive is it to get an internship?

You can expect this process to be highly competitive. Most internship sites receive many applications from qualified intern applicants, and applicants can increase their chances of being selected by having complete and polished application materials reflecting a depth of knowledge and experience, as well as practicing interview skills. 

What happens if I don’t get an internship?

This can happen and is a part of the process for many. However, successful completion of an internship is required for certification, therefore, you will need to re-apply for a future internship opportunity. Asking for feedback from internship sites can help you make important adjustments and improvements for future application and interview processes, while understanding that not all internship sites are able to provide you with feedback.

Is an internship required to graduate from an academic program?

This depends on the graduation requirements for your specific academic institution. Please follow up with your academic advisor for clarification.

Is someone available to look over my internship application before I apply?

It is wise to proofread your application before submitting to an internship program. Please be selective when seeking feedback. Consider utilizing the writing center and career services office your academic institution, your academic advisor, a trusted professional, a person whose writing skills you admire or respect, etc. While you may find people online or on social media who are willing to help, they may not have any additional expertise to qualify them to do so and it isn’t necessary to pay someone for this service. Use your best judgement and consider using resources that are already available to you. ACLP is unable to provide this type of review.