Child Life Practicum
The child life department is pleased to offer a summer practicum for students wishing to learn more about the child life field in pursuit of becoming a child life specialist.
This practicum will include quality observation opportunities and hands-on activities to prepare aspiring child life specialists for a clinical internship.
Our once-a-year summer practicum program will include 120 hours of observation with a certified child life specialist over a 6-week period. The selected student will complete observations on TWO units, with the opportunity to observe the activity room and a unit of their choice.
Be advised that if selected as a practicum student, your college/university must negotiate a contract with CHKD before the practicum start date. If you have any questions, please contact Mikaila Hudson, MS, CCLS, at Krystian.Hudson@chkd.org.
Summer Practicum 2026
Application Deadline: February 9, 2026
Initial Offer Date: March 17, 2026
Acceptance Date: March 18, 2026
Eligibility and Application Details
In order to apply for this practicum, you must have completed the ACLP requirement of a child life course taught by a CCLS, have completed at least 50 hours of volunteer or paid experience working with children, and be affiliated with a college or university that offers liability coverage.
Please submit the CHKD Child Life Practicum Application Form, your current resume, and most recent transcripts (unofficial is accepted). These materials should be emailed together to Krystian.Hudson@chkd.org, with “(your name) Practicum Application” in the subject line.
Additionally, we require TWO letters of recommendation (at least ONE must have directly observed your work with children in any setting). Recommendations should be written on letterhead (if applicable) and must be signed, scanned, and emailed directly from the recommender to Krystian.Hudson@chkd.org. Please have the recommender include your name in the subject line of their email so we can pair your letters with your application.
An interview is required before an offer for the practicum position can be made. Upon review of your application, you will be notified of your selection status, which may include scheduling an interview. A personal interview is preferred if you live within 100 miles of Norfolk. However, a video or phone interview can be arranged if you are unable to attend an in-person interview or are unable to attend a personal interview.
Please note, if you are selected as a practicum student, an affiliation agreement must be negotiated between your college or university and CHKD prior to your start date. If an affiliation fails to be negotiated, the offer of this practicum position becomes void.