Child Life Student Opportunities
Our Commitment to Students
The Department of Child Life and Education is committed to providing a variety of intentional, informational, and valuable learning opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Please see below to learn more about all of the opportunities our program has to offer.
For any additional questions please contact:
ChildLifeStudents@childrensal.org
Learning Opportunities
We are only able to offer shadowing opportunities to our current Patient Pal volunteers who have completed their required volunteer hours. If you are interested in becoming a Patient Pal volunteer, please visit the Service Opportunities page for more information.
2026 Spring Child Life Student Conference
The Department of Child Life and Education at Children's of Alabama is proud to host its annual Child Life Student Conference. Attendees can expect an engaging and interactive day designed to support their journey from student to professional. Participants will gain valuable insight into the child life field through educational sessions, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences. Through this conference, it is our goal to provide students with guidance, inspiration, and practical tools to help them confidently take the next step towards becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Friday, February 27, 2026
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
The Bradley Lecture Center
Practicum
Children’s of Alabama is partnering with in-state academic institutions to offer practicum to graduate level students. Please contact your university advisor for more information or email childlifestudents@childrensal.org for questions or further clarification.
Child Life Internship Program
Children’s of Alabama offers a child life internship designed to provide students with experiences in a health care environment. Internship training is one piece of what is required for those students who are planning a career as a child life specialist. Internship opportunities are provided twice a year with fall and spring sessions. The internship is a 16 week, 40 hours a week, full time commitment. The first week will be an orientation week to get interns familiar with the hospital as well as various services and programs offered. All interns will have two, six-week rotations and two, one-week rotation.
- Internships are offered to currently enrolled bachelor’s or master’s level students whose career focus is to become a Child Life Specialist.
- For legal purposes, applicants must be affiliated with an academic program throughout the duration of the internship session.
- *Children’s of Alabama is unable to complete affiliation agreements with online academic institutions*
- Successfully completed an ACLP Eligibility Assessment with 10, completed and approved courses prior to the start of the internship, with one being the child life course taught by a certified child life specialist.
- A commitment to the goals, objectives, and policies of the department.
- An interest to investigate the aspects of Child Life and the psychosocial needs of children in a pediatric health care setting.
- Complete the ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application Form.
- Submit the form to ChildLifeStudents@ChildrensAL.org.
- Please include name, internship session, and year in the subject line.
Hospitals and academic programs in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee will be participating in the SEACLP internship match program for the Spring 2026 cycle. This match program is an effort to enhance the child life internship application process for all stakeholders. Our child life program has chosen to participate in the match, and therefore, we will only be accepting applications from matriculating students affiliated with one of the academic programs participating in this cycle. Outside of the match program, our child life program will not be taking interns for the Spring of 2026. For a list of hospitals and universities participating in the internship match program, visit the SEACLP Instagram page @SEACLP.
Contracts will be sent to the University and must be completed prior to a student starting the internship. The student will be responsible for providing the internship site with:
- A negative 2 step TB skin test (2 test; 7 days between test dates) within past 90 days or TB blood test (QFT) in past 12 months.
- Current Measles – Rubeola titer–or dates of 2 MMR vaccines
- Current Measles – Rubella titer–or dates of 2 MMR vaccines
- Current Varicella (chicken pox) titer–or dates of 2 Varicella vaccines
- Tdap-(Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)-must have one dose documented over the age of 19
- Proof of current Flu shot
- Proof of current Healthcare Provider CPR certification
NOTE: Students are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements.
If you have further questions, please contact the Internship Coordinator at ChildLifeStudents@childrensal.org.
