Overview
The Child and Family Life Services department with M Health Fairview Pediatrics currently offers learning opportunities at two of our facilities. Fairview Ridges Hospital offers practicums during the winter and summer semesters and Masonic Children’s hospital offers practicum and internship opportunities in the fall and spring semesters.
Our certified clinicians educate students on how each assessment is based on theory and observation valuing the unique differences of each individual and their family including, but not limited to their cultural backgrounds, developmental and physical abilities.
Our goal is to provide students with supportive learning experiences that are individualized for their learning goals while encouraging self-reflection and self-evaluation throughout their time. Reflective feedback is highly encouraged.
- "As an intern, my supervisor and preceptors supported me through all the successes and challenges that come with an internship. This support allowed me to learn on my own and gave me the space to grow as a child life professional. As I reflect on my internship experience at Masonic, I learned so much about the field of child life and have been able to grow as not only a CCLS but also a member of the Twin Cities community." – Sarah O -former student intern
Selected students will have opportunities to observe child life interactions in a variety of clinical settings which may include:
- Pediatric inpatient units
- Pediatric outpatient specialty clinics
- Radiology
- Surgery
- Adult units
- Emergency departments
Child Life Specialist Practicum
Child life practicum experiences are offered at two sites within the M Health Fairview system. Fairview Ridges Hospital offers practicums in spring and summer season. Masonic Children’s Hospital offers practicums during fall and spring season.
Our practicum experiences provide an observational opportunity to individuals interested in the child life profession. This practicum offers at least 120 hours of supervision designed to prepare the participant for an internship experience in child life. The participant will gain a better understanding of the role of a child life specialist in a healthcare team.
Fall or summer applications are due by the first Friday in May.
Spring practicum applications are due by the first Friday in October.
MHealth Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital is a free-standing Children’s hospital located in Minneapolis, MN. The student program coordinator at Masonic Children’s hospital for practicum and internship experiences is Kristen Weston, CCLS. You can contact her at Kristen.Weston@fairview.org.
Apply here for the child life practicum:
MHealth Fairview Ridges Hospital is a community hospital in Burnsville, MN, serving pediatric patients. The student program coordinator for practicum experiences at Fairview Ridges Hospital is Meridith Bergquist, CCLS. You can contact her at Meridith.Bergquist@fairview.org
Apply here for the child life practicum:
Child Life Specialist Internship
M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital offers a 16-week, 640-hour full-time internship. The internship shifts and rotations may include other local M Health Fairview sites. The number of interns accepted each semester varies depending on staff availability.
Eligibility Requirements
The following minimum requirements are consistent with national standards endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
- Completed bachelor’s degree or in final semester of undergraduate program. We accept both affiliated AND unaffiliated interns.
- Required coursework identified by the ACLP
- Strong foundational knowledge and exposure to child life theory, child development and family systems through coursework and experience
- Experience with children both in and outside of a healthcare environment
- Experience with all age groups and a variety of developmental levels is preferred
- Experience with children and families from a variety of cultures is preferred
- Ability to participate in a two-part interview process. All interviews will be virtual
Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to provide additional information supporting their application. Such information may include references, course descriptions, etc. If offered an internship, the candidate will be expected to complete a background check and health screening.
Internship Application Process
Individuals who have successfully completed the ACLP Eligibility Assessment may apply using this ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application. Once you have completed and downloaded your application as a ZIP file, please submit the ZIP file as an attachment in an email to DEPT-UMMCH-CHILDLIFE-STUDENTS@fairview.org
ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application
Internship Selection Process
Following the application deadline, all complete applications will be reviewed and considered by the Child Family Life Department education committee. Candidates will then be notified if they are being advanced to the interview process. All internship placement offers will be made according to ACLP guidelines and published offer dates.
For more information about the application process, deadlines, and whether we are currently accepting applications, please contact our student program coordinator for internship and practicum experiences, Kristen Weston, CCLS, at Kristen.Weston@fairview.org.