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 refer to the FAQ section of our website or 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 45 Certified Child Life Specialists. Other department members are child
life activity coordinators, Child Life Zone staff, music therapists, art therapists, school teachers,
therapeutic clowns, artists in residence, and the resident dogs in our Sit-Stay-Play program. 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 health care environment and we are evolving 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.
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Your application will not be reviewed if you fail to follow these
practices.
1. Submit all required documents in one envelope (exception: reference
forms)
2. Envelope must be postmarked by the Child Life Council deadline
3. Remove all staples and paperclips
4. Submit only single-sided copies of documents—this helps us save
trees later in our process (exception: documents from a third party – i.e.: transcripts)
5. Correctly follow all application instructions
6. Do not include additional items; however, a cover letter is
acceptable if you would like to submit one
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Child Life Internship 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)
 We choose to comply with the Child Life Council Internship Learning Modules
 Interns will obtain 600 hours of clinical experience
 Interns 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
 A minimum of 100 hours of direct experience interacting with typically developing children in group
settings
 A minimum of 150 hours of direct experience with children and families experiencing stress, crisis,
or trauma
 At least 100 hours must be from a child life practicum experience. The child life practicum
may be in progress at the time the child life internship application is submitted, but at least
100 completed hours of child life practicum is required before beginning the child life
internship.
 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 the fulfillment of any academic requirements, it is the
applicant’s responsibility to verify the child life internship at Cook Children’s Medical Center fulfills
the expectations of the academic program. If you are unsure, please email
ChildLifeStudents@cookchildrens.org for clarification.
Application deadlines*
Internship Session
**Application
postmark
Winter/Spring
September 5
Summer
January 5
Fall
March 15
Initial Offer Date
2nd Tuesday of
October
2nd Tuesday of
February
1st Tuesday of May
Student must
accept position by
the following
Wednesday
the following
Wednesday
the following
Wednesday
2nd Offer Date
the following
Thursday
the following
Thursday
the following
Thursday
*These are the deadline dates recommended by the Child Life Council. The Cook Children’s Child Life Student
Program chooses to follow these recommendations. (http://childlife.org/StudentsInternsEducators/InternshipCoordinators/InternshipDeadlines.cfm)
**In the event that the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day will become the
adjusted deadline.
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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 Internship webpage)
 Validation of coursework by CLC Eligibility Assessment Report (online at www.childlife.org)
 All academic transcripts represented by accepted courses on the CLC Eligibility Assessment –
unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
 Completion of the Child Life Course validated by the CLC Eligibility Assessment indicating completion
of all six topic areas
 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 CLC Course
Verification Form or Eligibility Assessment; however, should you be accepted into the
internship, the Eligibility Assessment verifying completion of all six topic areas, must be
provided prior to the beginning of the internship semester.
 Professional résumé
 Signed original of the “Confidentiality Statement,” which is available in this packet
 Verification of Hours Form for child life practicum experience
 Three (3) Cook Children’s 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 (waiving your right or not, and your name). Then save the document
and forward to your references.
 Must be the current reference form which includes the accurate application deadline date
at the top of the form
 Two (2) must be completed by a person that has directly observed and/or supervised your
experience with children.
 One (1) may be completed by a person (non family member) of your choice.
 Your application will be considered incomplete if all reference forms are not received via
email by the CLC application deadline date (deadline dates are posted on p. 3 of this packet)
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Application reminders
 Late or incomplete applications will not be considered

Please note: Reference Forms submitted via email by your references will not be accepted
after the application deadline date and your application will be considered incomplete
 Each application will be examined to ensure that the student meets the program’s basic
requirements as outlined in this packet
 Submitting a complete application does not guarantee an applicant an interview or internship
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. Emails requesting confirmation of receipt may not receive a reply.
 Remove all staples and paperclips
 Do not send double-sided documents—this helps us save trees on our end.
Documents you receive
rd
from a 3 party (i.e.: transcripts) which are already double-sided are fine
Interview information
 We use an interview format called Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
 Typically, interviews are held the week before offers are made
 Only the most qualified of the applicants will be offered interviews


An on-site interview is preferred, though phone or Skype interviews may be 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 applicants each semester
Additional requirements for applicants who are accepted as child life interns – Costs associated
with each requirement are approximations
 Clear criminal background check ($50)
 American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification ($50)
 Current negative TB test
 Proof of immunity (MMR, varicella, adult Tdap, Hepatitis B series, current influenza)
 Current negative drug screen ($25)
 Current health insurance
 Proof of individual liability insurance or liability coverage by university ($35)
 General volunteer orientation
 Patient care volunteer orientation
 Signed individual educational experience agreement or a signed affiliation agreement between your
university and Cook Children’s
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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: ________________________________________________________________________
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Application check-list – please submit your documents in the following order
Child Life Council Common Application
Professional résumé
Verification of child life practicum hours (form is available on the Cook Children’s internship
webpage)
Signed original of the “Confidentiality Statement” (available in this packet)
Child Life Council Eligibility Assessment Report
Validation of completed child life course via Eligibility Assessment or Course
Verification Form or verification of registration or enrollment in a child life course
All academic transcripts represented on the CLC Eligibility Assessment (unofficial
transcripts are accepted)
Submit all documents listed above to:
Linsey Hammon, MS, CCLS
Education Department
Cook Children's Medical Center
801 Seventh Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Please write ‘Child Life Internship Application’ on the bottom left hand corner of the envelope.
The reference forms will be submitted by the reference via email. Please be sure you provide
references 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 (child life practicum supervisor or supervised your experience with children)
Letter of reference #2 (supervised your experience with children)
Letter of reference #3 (your choice, must not be from a family member)
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