Child Life Internship
The child life department is offering internships for those wishing to pursue a career as a child life specialist. Be advised that if you are selected as an intern, your college/university must negotiate a contract with CHKD before the internship start date. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Hood, CTRS, CCLS at Shannon.Hood@CHKD.org.
Fall Internship 2026
Application Deadline: March 13, 2026
Initial Offer Date: May 5, 2026
Acceptance Date: May 6, 2026
Winter/Spring Internship 2027
Application Deadline: September 4, 2026
Initial Offer Date: October 6, 2026
Acceptance Date: October 7, 2026
Eligibility and Application Details
In order to apply for this internship, you must meet the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) certification eligibility course requirement, be affiliated with a college or university that has a standing agreement with CHKD, and you must have at least 100 hours of volunteer or paid experience working with children and/or have completed a child life practicum. For more information regarding ACLP’s course requirement please click here.
Please submit the ACLP Common Internship Application Form which includes a completed application, unoffical transcript and eligibility assessment.
Email your completed application to Shannon.Hood@CHKD.org.
An interview is required if your application meets the admission criteria. Upon review of your application, you will be notified of your selection status, which may include scheduling an interview. A personal interview is preferred if you live within 100 miles of Norfolk. However, a phone interview can be arranged if you live outside the 100 mile radius or are unable to attend a personal interview. If you are selected as an intern, an affiliation agreement must be negotiated between your college or university and CHKD prior to the start of your internship. If an affiliation fails to be negotiated, the internship offer becomes void.