Child Life Practicum & Internship
The Child Life team at WakeMed is offering a Summer 2026 Pre-internship ("practicum") experience. The deadline to apply is January 9th, 2026. We will not be accepting internship applications for the Summer 2026 semester. Please return to this webpage for updated information regarding future semesters.
In order to apply for an internship or practicum experience with our student program, students must be enrolled in schools with which WakeMed has an affiliation agreement with a specific program/degree type. For more information regarding educational institutions and programs with which we have standing affiliation agreements, please email workforcedevelopment@wakemed.org or CLStudent@wakemed.org For questions regarding student opportunities, please email CLStudent@wakemed.org.
WakeMed Pre-internship (Practicum)
A child life practicum placement is designed to introduce the student to the field of child life, as well as a variety of experiences facing children and adolescents in the healthcare setting. The WakeMed Practicum curriculum follows the ACLP Pre-Internship Modules to maintain consistency and prepare students for a child life internship. Students will observe child life assessments, medical play, procedural preparation and coping, playroom programming, and work with volunteers. Students also develop documentation skills, participate in special events and hospital committees, and may observe trauma and bereavement support.
A practicum placement is highly recommended for those considering a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Practicum students generally complete eight to ten hours per week for a minimum total of 120 hours. During the practicum, the student will complete various unit rotations to observe child life interventions that support children, adolescents and their families within the healthcare system. The student will complete an orientation process and participate in ongoing guidance and evaluation by the child life staff and site supervisor.
In order to apply, students must be enrolled in schools with which WakeMed has an affiliation agreement with a specific program/degree type. For more information regarding educational institutions and programs with which we have standing affiliation agreements for child life practicum placement, please contact workforcedevelopment@wakemed.org or CLStudent@wakemed.org.
Selection criteria for practicum placement include the following:
- Completed application
- Interview
- Relevant coursework that meets the requirements for Child Life Certification (More information is available at ChildLife.org)
- Grades and GPA in relevant coursework
- A strong background of previous experience working with children and families
- Affiliation with an educational institution
Practicum Job Description 
and Practicum Application
WakeMed Child Life Internship
In order to apply for a child life internship, applicants must be enrolled in schools with which WakeMed has an affiliation agreement. We accept applications from students enrolled in [specific] programs. For more information regarding educational institutions and programs with which we have standing affiliation agreements for child life practicum placement, please contact workforcedevelopment@wakemed.org or CLStudent@wakemed.org. The following are schools with whom we have child life specific agreements:
- Texas Woman's University [Human Sciences, Child Life]
- University of North Carolina [Psychology, Human Development and Family Science]
- University of North Carolina - Wilmington [Child Life, Recreational Therapy]
- University of North Carolina - Greensboro [Community and Therapeutic Recreation]
- Appalachian State University [Child Life]
- Auburn University [Child Life]
- East Carolina University [Child Life]
- College of Charleston [Child Life]
- Meredith College [Child Life]
- North Carolina State University [Child Life]
The internship placement spans 16 weeks (40 hours per week) for a minimum of 600 hours. It is a full-time, unpaid training program designed for graduate and undergraduate students with majors in Child Life or a closely related degree/program that are pursuing a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
During the internship, interns will complete various unit rotations to observe and implement child life interventions that support children, adolescents and their families within the healthcare system. The intern will complete an orientation process and participate in ongoing guidance and evaluation by the child life staff and site supervisor. The foundation of WakeMed's Child Life Internship curriculum was created by the ACLP to ensure certification exam readiness and entry-level competence. Applicants must have completed course work in child development and related studies.
Selection criteria for an internship placement include the following:
- WakeMed and ACLP completed applications
- Interview
- Relevant coursework that meets the requirements for Child Life Certification (More information is available at ChildLife.org).
- Successful completion of a course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist prior to start date of placement. This course is not required to be completed in order to submit your application but must be able to be completed prior to the placement start date.
- Grades and GPA in relevant coursework
- Letters of recommendation
- Pre-internship/practicum experience as well as previous work/ volunteer with children in preferred
- Affiliation with an educational institution
Internship Job Description Internship Application
If you are interested in learning more about the child life profession, visit the website for the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). The ACLP website has a wealth of resources for students and child life specialists, including membership opportunities, webinars, forums and general information.