Child Life Internship and Practicum
Internship Prerequisites

Internship Prerequisites

In addition to the below information, applicants must follow Guidelines from the Association of Child Life Professionals for all academic and experiential requirements for applying to a child life internship.


Required readings:
(These readings are to be completed prior to applying for the internship.)

  • Bolig, Rosemary., Mahan, Carmel., Rollins, Judy. (2017). Meeting Children's Psychosocial Needs Across the Health-Care Continuum (2nd ed.), Pro-ed, Austin, TX
  • Thompson, Richard. (2018). The Handbook of Child Life, A Guide for Pediatric Psychosocial Care (2nd ed.), Charles C. Thomas, Publisher. Springfield, IL

Academic Affiliation is NOT Required: 

  • If affiliated with an academic institution: A signed contract of agreement for internship participation with your college / university is required and is initiated and completed by Cincinnati Children's upon acceptance to the internship.  
  • If unaffiliated with an academic institution: Intern is required to purchase and show proof of Professional Liability Insurance and complete a ten-panel drug screen.

Required Health Forms: (All interns accepted into the program must turn in required health forms a month prior to first day of internship in order to participate in the program.)

  • Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination. 
  • Documentation of valid CPR certification by the American Heart Association.
  • Documentation record of a negative two-step tuberculin skin test 
  • Documentation record showing immunity to rubella (either a positive rubella titer or a rubella vaccination).
  • Documentation record showing immunity to rubeola (measles). Proof of immunity can be shown by having a birth date prior to 1950, a rubeola vaccination after 1980, or with documentation of a physician stating the student has had rubeola.
  • Documentation record showing immunity to mumps (documentation from a physician stating the student had either mumps or a mumps vaccination).
  • Documentation record showing immunity to Hepatitis B or having started the series of three doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombivax HB or Engerix - B).
  • Documentation record of receiving these vaccines:
    1. Flu shot (Most current vaccine available in past 12 months)
    2. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Adult booster must have been received no earlier than 2005.
  • Any intern or practicum student who participates without University affiliation is required to provide a ten-panel drug screen dated no earlier than 30 days before start of program.