Student Information

Child Life Practicum Program

*PRACTICUM ON HOLD TILL 2026*

At Covenant Children’s, our child life team is committed to providing a practicum experience for those who wish to pursue a child life internship

Developing child life specialists

This practicum experience allows students to learn through reading, observing and interacting. The practicum student can expect to gain knowledge from all of these interactions as well as those with certified child life specialists. The practicum experience will allow the student to apply developmental theory while working with children and families, as well as integrate knowledge and theory into clinical interactions. 

The practicum curriculum involves both clinical and non-clinical requirements, including:

  • Complete required readings.
  • Reflect on experiences in daily journals.
  • Plan activities.
  • Complete an assignment about a diagnosis.
  • Perform developmental assessments.

The practicum student must complete a minimum of 120 hours. Practicum placements are unpaid positions and do not guarantee future admission into the internship program or employment at Covenant Children’s.

Goals and objectives

  • Become familiar with the child life profession.
  • Recognize the value of play in the healthcare setting.
  • Learn to plan and facilitate a variety of activities for children and families in the healthcare setting.
  • Develop communication skills with healthcare professionals as well as children and families.
  • Recognize developmental, emotional, psychosocial and medical needs of children and families in the healthcare setting.
  • Gain knowledge of medical terminology, diagnosis and procedures.
  • Begin to develop professional attitudes, growth and maturity by functioning as a member of the healthcare team.

Prerequisites

  • Be currently enrolled as a student at a college/university OR obtained a bachelor’s degree in a related field
  • Successful completion of 3 ACLP required courses prior to practicum start date (child life course; play course; child development course). In-progress forms are attached to the application.
  • Minimum of 50 documented hours of volunteer or work experience with children and families. 25 of these hours with children MUST be in a healthcare or stress/crisis related environment.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • If the child life practicum is for academic credit or the fulfillment of any academic requirements, it is the applicants responsibility to verify the child life practicum at Covenant Children’s Hospital fulfills the expectations of the academic program.

Practicum requirements

  • If chosen for a practicum, proof of the following will be required:
    • Immunizations (MMR titers, Chicken Pox, TB, TDAP, COVID-19)
    • Flu shot (seasonal)
    • Complete background check

Application Information

  • Practicums are offered during the summer semester (deadlines are listed below).
  • We utilize the SACLP application
  • Students must meet the requirements listed above to be considered for an interview.
  • Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview or placement.
  • Late applications will not be accepted.

Application Checklist

  • Typed Child Life Practicum Application (SACLP version)
  • Professional resume outlining academic and other relevant experiences
  • Current transcripts indicated GPA
  • Two typed and sealed reference forms. One must be from a facility supervisor or employer that has observed your work with children and families. The forms must be enclosed in an envelope and signed across the seal by the author. Please include reference forms in your application packet.

Practicum deadlines

  • Application deadline: January 10.
  • Interviews: January.
  • Offer notifications: February 11.
  • Applicant acceptance of practicum position: Within 24 hours of offer.

Please send application and all related materials in one envelope to:
Covenant Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
Attn: Practicum Application
4000 24th St.
Lubbock, TX 79410

Please direct questions or concerns to lauren.bergmann@covhs.org.

Child Life Internship Program

The child life internship at Covenant Children’s consists of 20 weeks and 800 hours if you have not had a practicum or 16 weeks and 640 hours if you have had a practicum of clinical experience under the supervision of a certified child life specialist (CCLS).

Training child life specialists

Our certified child life specialists have at least 4,000 hours of paid experience as a CCLS and are precepted by the student coordinator, who has previously served as a child life practicum supervisor and has more than 6,000 hours of paid experience as a CCLS.

The student coordinator works with the child life supervisor to maintain continuity throughout the program. Our internship is an intensive experience as we require weekly readings and assignments as well as clinical time with patients and families.

During the internship program, our interns complete at least two rotations: one inpatient and one outpatient. Occasionally, our students complete a mini rotation in an area of interest.

What to know

  • Students are encouraged to have a diverse set of experiences working with children in health care settings, camps, support groups as well as other settings.
  • Complete the Internship Readiness Common Application. Detailed instructions on how to complete the application can be found on the ACLP website.
  • Email the downloaded application to lauren.bergmann@covhs.org
  • The email subject line should include Applicant Name, Internship Session (Fall, Spring) and Year.
  • The PDF downloaded as part of the ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application is the only component that will be reviewed. No additional documentation will be required or reviewed for a candidate’s initial submission.
  • Applicants will receive an email after the application has been received.
  • We require at least a 3.0 GPA in your major.
  • $2,500 stipend is offered each semester.

Internship application deadlines

We only offer internships in the spring and fall.

Internship Session   Application Deadlines   Initial Offer Dates   Acceptance Dates  2nd Offer Date  
Spring September 6 2nd Tuesday of October Following Wednesday  Following Thursday
Fall March 15 1st Tuesday of May Following Wednesday Following Thursday

Please direct questions or concerns to lauren.bergmann@covhs.org. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have about the application process.

Music Therapy Practicum/Internship

In partnership with AMTA compliant universities, Covenant Children’s offers practicum/internship opportunities to these institutions:

  • West Texas A & M University (Practicum or Internship)
  • Texas Women’s University (Internship)
  • Sam Houston State University (Internship)
  • Colorado State University (Internship)

If you are a Music Therapy student at one fo these institutions and would like to complete a practicum/internship with Covenant Children's Hospital, please contact our integrative care director, Dr. Christine Neugebauer, for an application.

Submit your completed application:

  • Option 1: Please e-mail applications to Christine.Neugebauer@stjoe.org
  • Option 2: Please mail applications to:
    Covenant Children’s Hospital
    Integrative Care Dept. (Music Therapy)
    Attn: Practicum Application OR Internship Application
    4000 24th St
    Lubbock, TX 79410

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Please direct questions or concerns to Christine Neugebauer or Deborah Stevens.