Child Life pre-internship experiences
Practicum (San Francisco)
Our Child Life Practicum program is committed to providing meaningful education and training for prospective child life professionals. This 10-week course of study (totaling 100 to 120 hours) is organized to give students insight on and exposure to the profession and help them understand the unique needs of hospitalized children and their families.
The program includes two rotations and is modeled after the Association of Child Life Professionals' pre-internship modules.
Each module includes:
- Clinical learning goals and objectives
- Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Case study
- Foundational and supplemental resources
- Activities
- Next steps for further learning.
Module 1: Professional development
Clinical learning goals: Develop professional skills, including building therapeutic relationships, self-care, communication, ethics and reflective practices (such as daily journaling), to support growth and self-awareness.
Module 2: Observation
Clinical learning goals: Observe child life practices, documenting real-world responsibilities of child life specialists and interactions with children and families.
Module 3: Theory of practice
Clinical learning goals: Apply developmental theory to the work, understanding how children and families respond to stress and observing services that meet developmental needs and support needs.
Module 4: Diversity, equity and inclusion
Clinical learning goals: Reflect on personal beliefs and their impact on practice. Develop inclusive play activities that respect differences in race, identity and community.
Module 5: Power of play
Clinical learning goals: Explore the role of developmentally appropriate play in helping children cope with stress, and gain skills to facilitate play in various settings.
This structured practicum offers the hands-on experience needed to move toward becoming a certified child life specialist.
Requirements:
- Complete our online practicum application.
- Provide proof of completion of introductory child life theory course.
- Provide college transcripts.
- Provide name of academic reference.
Due dates for applications:
- Spring: Dec. 1
- Summer: April 1
- Fall: Aug. 1
If chosen, the participant must:
- Obtain health clearance, with proof of immunizations and an up-to-date tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Provide a photo ID.
- Provide an affiliation agreement with the university or private liability insurance. (Students do not have to be affiliated with UCSF.)
- Turn in weekly journals, complete assignments and present a case study.
Volunteer
There are many ways to volunteer through Child Life Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. Please visit Become a Volunteer to learn more and to apply for these opportunities.
