Child Life Practicum
We are excited to communicate with you about Cook Children's child life practicum. This program provides child life students an opportunity to become more familiar with the field of child life and the needs of hospitalized children, youth, and families. The following is information about this program.
Applicant requirements
- Junior level in college or beyond
- Must have a minimum of 100 hours of paid and/or volunteer experience interacting with children, beyond required experiences for coursework
- Experience in a hospital or established child life program is preferred
- Applicants must show the following courses with a final passing grade or as "in progress" on the unofficial academic transcript:
- (1) child development course
- (1) play course
- (1) child life course
- Please view this document and visit the ACLP webpage for more detailed information about required courses.
Application information
The online application and reference request portals will open approximately 6 weeks before the application deadline date.
- We use the Texas Association of Child Life Professionals (TACLP) Common Child Life Practicum Application
- Consideration for child life practicum requires the student submit a complete application and meet our program's minimum requirements
- Submitting a complete application does not guarantee a student an interview or placement
- Late applications are not considered
- Paper applications are not considered
Child Life Practicum Application Packet
Child Life Practicum Reference Requests
Child Life Practicum Application Submission Portal
Program information and requirements
- We choose to follow the Association of Child Life Professionals recommended standards for child life practicum
- We offer child life practicum three times a year: spring, summer, and fall semesters
- Students will participate for 32 hours per week for four weeks
- Students will complete four one-week rotations
- Students will complete the Cook Children’s child life practicum curriculum
Practicum application deadlines
| CL Practicum session | Application & reference deadline | Initial offer date | Student must accept position by | 2nd offer date (if needed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter/Spring | September 19 | 4th Tuesday of October | the following Wednesday | the following Thursday |
| Summer | January 19 | 4th Tuesday of February | the following Wednesday | the following Thursday |
| Fall | March 29 | 3rd Tuesday of May | the following Wednesday | the following Thursday |
Interview dates
- Spring 2022 – Wednesday, October 20, 2021
- Summer 2022 – Thursday, February 17, 2022
- Fall 2022 – Thursday, May 12, 2022
Additional information
- Current Cook Children's volunteers are required to take a brief leave of absence from their volunteer position if selected for the Cook Children's child life practicum
Questions?
Please email Linsey Hammon, MS, CCLS at ChildLifeStudents@cookchildrens.org
Visit our frequently asked questions page to find answers to common questions.