801 Seventh Avenue
Fort Worth, TX
Texas
76104-2796
76104-2796
682-885-4000
Dear internship applicant,
Thank you for your interest in our child life internship! We value the effort you have put into pursuing a
career as a Certified Child Life Specialist. We know there can be confusion regarding application
requirements from program to program. We hope to streamline our program information as much as
possible.
This packet is designed to outline the Cook Children’s application requirements. Please read it all the way
through. Many of your questions are answered in this packet. Should you have additional questions or
seek clarification, please feel welcome to email ChildLifeStudents@cookchildrens.org.
We recognize how important it is to find a program that is the right fit for you. Our Child Life department is
large, with over 40 Certified Child Life Specialists. Other department members are child life activity
coordinators, music therapists, art therapists, school teachers, and the Child Life Zone staff. Below you
will find a brief overview of our program philosophy. We hope this helps you have a better understanding of
our program.
Our philosophy
The Child Life program at Cook Children’s Medical Center strongly emphasizes balance between play and
preparation. This balance is achieved through clinical practice. We are a “hands-on” department. Though
we believe that we have a function in educating staff and advocating for the children, the majority of our
time is spent with the patients and families. We believe child life has a role in the changing medical care
environment and we are changing in response to this. In addition to the traditional inpatient areas, we offer
integrated services in the Emergency Department, Radiology, PICU, NICU, Special Procedures Unit, and
several outpatient areas. We are team focused, both within our department and within our areas of
coverage, and we see students as a part of that team. We believe that interns must practice what they have
learned. Interns have many opportunities for both formal and informal learning, hands-on clinical practice
and collaboration with peers. All students are given opportunities for self-directed learning. We also help
them identify and access resources within the health care system.
10/29/2013
1
All required items must be submitted in one envelope in order for your
application to be considered complete.
All envelopes must be postmarked by the Child Life Council deadline date.
Remove all staples and paperclips.
When within your control, send only single-sided copies.
Follow all application instructions correctly.
A cover letter is acceptable; however, please do not include additional
items not specifically requested.
10/29/2013
2
Program Information
 We offer comprehensive internship training three times a year beginning in January, May, and
September
 The Child Life internship is a 15 week, full-time experience (40 hours/week)
 Students will obtain a total of 600 hours of clinical experience
 Students are expected to be available for internship during regular business hours
 Certain individual rotations may require an intern to work some evenings and/or weekends
Applicant requirements
 College seniors, graduate students, or college graduates
 Relevant experience interacting with typically developing children in group settings
 150 hours of experience with children and families experiencing stress, crisis, or trauma
 Completed child life practicum experience, preferred
 Outstanding competence in past roles with children and families
 Demonstration of knowledge of Child Life theory
 GPA of 3.0 or above
 If the internship is for academic credit or in fulfillment of any academic requirements, the applicant must
verify that our internship meets the expectations of that academic program. For clarification, please
email ChildLifeStudents@cookchildrens.org.
Application deadlines
Semester
Winter/Spring
Summer
Fall
Application must be
postmarked by:
September 5
January 5
May 5
Initial offers will be made
Student must accept
to students on:
position by:
nd
2 Tuesday of October
the Wednesday after
nd
2 Tuesday of February
the Wednesday after
2nd Tuesday of June
the Wednesday after
**These are the deadline dates recommended by the Child Life Council. The Cook Children’s Child Life Student
Program chooses to follow these recommendations.
**In the event that the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day will become the
adjusted deadline.
10/29/2013
3
Explanation of application requirements – All items must be provided, a check-list is included in
this packet for your convenience
 Child Life Council (CLC) Common Internship Application (this link is also available on the
Cook Children’s Child Life Internships webpage)
 Written portions. Please submit typed, double-spaced responses.
1. Identify the two Cook Children’s Health Care System values that mean the most to you and tell
us how you exemplify these in your life. (limit: 300 words)
2. Describe a time when you felt you did not know enough about child life. What did you do?
(limit: 200 words)
 Validation of coursework by Child Life Council Course Work Review
 All academic transcripts represented on the CLC Course Work Review – unofficial transcripts are
acceptable.
 Completed CLC Child Life Course Verification Form
 A letter from a university advisor or instructor indicating you are registered for or enrolled in an
appropriate course will be accepted at the time of the application in lieu of a Course
Verification Form; however, should you be accepted into the internship, the course and
Verification Form must be completed prior to the beginning of the internship semester.
 Professional résumé
 Three (3) letter of reference forms – these will be submitted via email by the reference (link to the
reference form is available on the Cook Children’s Child Life Internships webpage). Complete the top
portion of the form and forward to your references.
 Two (2) must be completed by a person that has observed and/or supervised your experience
with children.
 One (1) can be completed by a person (non family member) of your choice.
 Signed original of the “Confidentiality Statement,” which is available in this packet
10/29/2013
4
Application reminders
 Late or incomplete applications will not be considered
 Each application will be examined to ensure that the student meets the program’s basic requirements
as outlined above
 Submitting a completed application does not guarantee a student an interview or placement; only the
most qualified applicants will be invited for an interview
 To confirm receipt of your application, use an expedited, traceable mail service or the postal service's
delivery confirmation
 Remove all staples and paperclips
 Avoid sending double-sided documents – documents you receive from a 3rd party (i.e.: transcripts) that
are already double-sided are fine
Interview information
 The most qualified of the applicants will be offered interviews
An on-site interview is preferred, though phone or Skype interviews are permitted due to travel
constraints
 It works to your benefit as a candidate to participate in an on-site interview. This allows you to
see our program and for our interview committee to get a better understanding of your
strengths.
 We interview between eight and ten students each semester
 When possible, interviews will be scheduled within four weeks of the application deadline

Additional requirements for applicants accepted as interns
 Clear background check
 American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification
 Current negative TB test
 Proof of immunity (MMR, varicella, adult Tdap, Hepatitis B series, current influenza)
 Negative drug screen
 Current health insurance
 Proof of individual liability insurance or coverage by university
10/29/2013
5
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
I understand and agree that in the performance of my duties as a student at Cook Children’s
Medical Center I must hold in strictest confidence any observations I may make or any
information I may hear regarding patients, patient families or staff.
Student’s signature:
Date: ________________________________________________________________________
10/29/2013
6
Application check-list – please submit your documents in the following order
Child Life Council Common Application
Written response #1
Written response #2
Professional résumé
Signed original of the “Confidentiality Statement” (available in this packet)
Child Life Council Course Work Review
Completed Child Life Course Verification Form or letter verifying registration or enrollment in
a child life course
All academic transcripts represented on the CLC Course Work Review
These letters will be submitted by the letter writer via email. Please be sure you provide the writer
enough notice to allow them to complete the request by the deadline date. Letters must be received
by the application deadline date in order for your application to be considered complete.
Letter of reference #1 (supervisor of experience with children)
Letter of reference #2 (supervisor of experience with children)
Letter of reference #3
Submit all documents listed above to:
Linsey Hammon, CCLS
Education Department
Cook Children's Medical Center
801 Seventh Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Please write ‘Internship Student Application’ on the bottom left hand corner of the envelope.
10/29/2013
7