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What is a Pre-Internship Experience?
A pre-internship experience provides an individual with knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as it relates to working with infants, children, youth, and families.
The CLCC does not require pre-internship experiences to sit for the Certification Exam and does not endorse any specific pre-internship experiences. However, most internship programs require applicants to document their pre-internship experiences in the internship application process.
Examples of Pre-Internship Experiences
Aspiring professional can gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to apply for a clinical internship through one or a combination of the following.
The CLCC does not require pre-internship experiences to sit for the Certification Exam.
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ACLP Pre-Internship Modules
The ACLP Pre-Internship Learning Modules can be used by aspiring professionals as well as supervisors in healthcare and other community-based settings in which psychosocial support is provided to children and families in stressful situations.
*The CLCC recognizes that practicums have become a barrier within the pathway to the child life profession. The CLCC does not endorse practicums or other pre-internship programs. These modules are designed for sites and learners who may find them supportive.
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Volunteer & Work Experience
The internship application requires applicants to document their experiences with infants, children, youth, and families in the following areas:
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Within Healthcare: Any environment involving children and families due to medical encounters. Examples include but are not limited to volunteering in a hospital, programs for children with medical diagnoses, child life pre-internship experiences, volunteering at hospice sites, paid work experience in a hospital setting.
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Outside of Healthcare: Any environment involving children and families who are not impacted by medical encounters. Examples include but are not limited to coaching a sports team, volunteering at a school, working in retail, working at an early childhood program. Experience with well children is necessary to learn how to identify typical development.
The CLCC does not endorse any specific pre-internship experiences.
Child Life Practicum
A child life practicum is an introductory experience for individuals pursuing a career in child life. This experience can provide valuable knowledge of evidence-based, developmentally appropriate child life interventions.
The CLCC and ACLP do not require or have specific practices or protocols for child life practicums. Practicums are not a requirement to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Exam.
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Additional Considerations
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Give attention to the depth and diversity of your experiences.
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Be able to articulate what you learned from your experiences and how they relate to the Internship Readiness KSAs.
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Look for opportunities to gain experience with a variety of ages and/or developmental levels.
The CLCC does not endorse any specific pre-internship experiences.
FAQs: Pre-Internship Experiences
Read the frequently asked questions related to pre-internship experiences that are necessary to sit for the Child Life Certification Exam.