Student Opportunities
Please contact us at clstudents@upstate.edu with further questions or visit the Association of Child Life Professionals website for more information regarding the pathway to Child Life certification.
Child Life Internship
Internship accredited by ACLP since 2017
The child life internship is a 15-week, comprehensive training program offered twice a year; at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. The internship is full time, 40 hours a week. Qualified students, currently enrolled in an academic program in Child Life or a related field, will receive quality training, education, and supervision from a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Applications Due
- Fall semester placement – March 15
- Spring semester placement – September 5
Applicant Requirements
Applicant must:
- Anticipate completing practicums and all pre-internship coursework per the requirements of their academic program prior to internship start
- Be affiliated or enrolled in an academic program (we are unable to accept unaffiliated or independent students)
To Apply
Please email the following documents to clstudents@upstate.edu:
1. ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter
4. Two references (including phone number and email address) that can speak to your child life experiences
5. One additional reference (including phone number and email address)
Only applications containing all required documents will be accepted.
ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application
Applications will only be accepted electronically. Paper copies will not be accepted.
Application is not a guarantee of acceptance. Due to the quality supervision provided to students during placement, a limited number of students are accepted per semester.
Child Life Practicum
The child life practicum is an 8-week, entry-level training offered 3 times a year; at the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Practicum students are required to complete 2, 6-hour days/week totaling 100 hours. The practicum is intended to introduce the undergraduate or graduate student to the field of child life through observation and supervised participation. Practicum students will observe a variety of experiences facing children and adolescents in a healthcare setting. A Certified Child Life Specialist will supervise the student as they participate in individual and group activities with children and families. Students will be required to complete weekly journals, readings, and assignments.
Applications Due
- Fall semester placement – June 4
- Spring semester placement – November 13
- Summer semester placement – March 9
Applicant Requirements
Applicant must:
- Have completed a minimum of 50 hours working with children (paid or unpaid), with a minimum of 25 hours being with children in a hospital or medical setting
- Be enrolled in or have completed an Introduction to Child Life college level course or its equivalent
- Be enrolled in or have completed a child development college level course or its equivalent
- Have had successful experiences working with children and families, either paid or unpaid
- Be affiliated or enrolled in an academic program (we are unable to accept unaffiliated or independent students)
Applications will only be accepted electronically. Paper copies will not be accepted.
Application is not a guarantee of acceptance. Due to the quality supervision provided to students during placement, a limited number of students are accepted per semester.
Music Therapy Internship
Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital Music Therapy program is approved as a National Roster Internship Site by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
The music therapy internship is a 6-month, 1,080-hour training program offered once a year in the summer. The internship is full time, 40 hours a week. Only students who are currently enrolled in an accredited academic program in music therapy are eligible to apply.
Applications Due
- Summer placement - January 15
Applicant Requirements
Applicant must:
- Have completed a practicum per the requirements of their academic program
- Be affiliated or enrolled in an academic program (we are unable to accept unaffiliated or independent students)
Prior to applying, please read the Fact Sheet and Application Checklist.
Child Life 101 Workshop
Child Life 101 is a program offered twice a year for high-school juniors, seniors and early college students to learn about the career of Child Life. Students will attend a free virtual event to learn more about the requirements to become a Certified Child Life Specialist as well as:
- Medical Play
- Procedural Management
- Communication and Language
- Working with patients with Special Needs
- Music Therapy
There is currently nothing scheduled in this calendar.