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Child Life Student Opportunities

If you have questions regarding programs on this page, please contact clstudents@upstate.edu.

To learn more about the requirements to become a Certified Child Life Specialist, please visit the Association of Child Life Professionals.

Child Life Student Aide

For one semester, child life student aides will provide developmentally appropriate play opportunities to patients at the bedside and in the playroom under the supervision of a certified child life specialist. Student aides will also be responsible for managing and cleaning play materials, choosing developmentally appropriate toys and activities, and reporting to a Certified Child Life Specialist. Student aides will be required to complete 50 hours over the course of one semester. The position is unpaid but students will receive credit for volunteer hours.

Applications Due

  • Fall semester placement – June 1
  • Spring semester placement – November 1
  • Summer semester placement – March 1

Applicant Requirements

Applicant must:

  1. Be a current undergraduate or graduate student
  2. Have completed a minimum of one college level course in child development
  3. Commit to completing 50 hours over the course of one semester
  4. Commit to completing a minimum of one 4-hour shift per week
  5. Have reliable transportation and/or the ability to pay for parking in the hospital garage
  6. Complete all necessary paperwork required by Upstate Medical University for student placement, including health paperwork and clearance
  7. Complete student aide orientation

APPLY STUDENT AIDE

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

We will not be accepting applications for spring or summer placements in 2022.

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:

  1. 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
  2. Be enrolled in or have completed an Introduction to Child Life college level course or its equivalent
  3. Be enrolled in or have completed a child development college level course or its equivalent
  4. Have had successful experiences working with children and families, either paid or unpaid
  5. Be affiliated or enrolled in an academic program (we are unable to accept unaffiliated or independent students)

APPLY PRACTICUM

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 Internship

We will not be accepting applications for fall placements in 2022.

 

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:

  1. Have completed a minimum 100-hour child life practicum under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist
  2. Be affiliated or enrolled in an academic program (we are unable to accept unaffiliated or independent students)

COMMON CHILD LIFE INTERNSHIP 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 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

Online registration for workshop on November 3, 2021 opens now and will close on October 27th.

4/27/2022 9:00amChild Life 101 Workshop
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