Child Life Internships
The internship program at BC Children's Hospital is 600 hours, under the supervision of a certified Child Life specialist.
We designed the clinical internship to complement academic studies. It follows the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) curriculum modules. The purpose is to provide a clinical program for students to develop a professional identity in working with children, youth, families and staff within a pediatric setting.
Our Child Life clinical training experience offers educational opportunities in the areas of medical play, surgical and procedural preparation, documentation, planning and supervising developmentally appropriate activities, family-centred care, planning and implementing special events, and working with individuals and groups.
Selection criteria
According to the Association of Child Life Professionals criteria, we only accept students for clinical internship who have met the following guidelines. We will not make any exceptions.
- Minimum of 100 hours experience working with well infants, children, youth and/or families
- Minimum of 100 hours experience with infants, children, youth and/or families in stressful situations, health-care settings and/or programs designed for children with special needs
- Completed the Child Life coursework inclusive of the six applied areas of study as required by the ACLP
- Completed the academic coursework requirements as set out by the ACLP eligibility assessment
- Enrolled in either the postgraduate studies program offered through the University of the Fraser Valley or the master's program offered through McMaster University
Please submit your application using the Association of Child Life Professionals Common Child life Internship Application.
Useful information
How to become a Child Life intern at BC Children's Hospital
The Child Life department at BC Children's Hospital currently only accepts students from the following two programs in Canada:
- University of the Fraser Valley: Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate Program
- McMaster University: Masters in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care Program
We do not accept independent students.
In order to be eligible for a child life internship placement, you MUST be enrolled in one of these programs. For more information on this please contact the schools. We require all of our students to complete their 600 hour internship for Child Life certification.
Start dates
We usually take interns starting in mid-August or January in correspondence with the university semester. Please discuss your interest in doing a Child Life internship with the internship supervisor at your university.
International students
At this time, our department is unable to accept students from the USA or other countries.
Education requirements
The academic requirements, including which courses we require, are outlined on the Association for Child Life Professionals website. If you have further questions, please email the internship coordinators of the schools mentioned above.
Shadowing
We do not offer job shadow shifts.