Child Life and Family Development student opportunities

The Nebraska Medicine Child Life and Family Development team offers practicum opportunities for student during the spring and fall semesters. At this time, we do not offer internships. 

All students applying for a practicum must be affiliated with a university. Please review our hospital-specific application requirements carefully.

Please email the Child Life and Family Development team at childlifeandfamilydevelopment@nebraskamed.com with additional questions.

Child Life Practicum 

The practicum is designed to help students: 

• Feel comfortable in a hospital setting.
• Learn about common diagnoses and treatments.
• Observe a wide range of child life services and interventions.
• Engage hospitalized children in play.
• Become an educated observer of hospitalized children’s play.
• Gain a greater understanding of the child life profession.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Have 40-60 hours of experience interacting with children in a health care setting.
• Have completed the required ACLP child life course taught by a certified child life specialist at the time of application (in-progress forms not accepted).
• Preference is given to applicants who have completed additional developmental courses and the required courses by ACLP.
• Students applying must be affiliated with a university that will supply a background check and liability insurance. The inability of a university to agree to these terms may result in the practicum placement being revoked.
  • Note: Students not currently enrolled in a university are encouraged to look at child life extension programs or local colleges that offer affiliation agreements. These agreements must be in place before submitting an application.

Things to note:

• The practicum is 150 hours spread over five weeks. Our pediatric population comprises solid organ transplant, bone marrow transplant, hematology/oncology, trauma patients and general pediatrics. Experience will be gained with inpatient and outpatient populations.

How to apply 

We follow the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) application deadlines. 

Visit the ACLP website regarding dates for each cycle. 

Email your completed application to: childlife@nebraskamed.com 

Mail: 

Child Life Department – Attn: Practicum Coordinator
Room 7420
4400 Emilie St.
Omaha, NE 68198
Mailed applications must be postmarked by the deadline.

Your complete application must include: 

• Application form and essays.
• Unofficial transcript.
• One letter of recommendation from someone who has observed your interactions with children.
• Resume.
• A completed Child Life Course Verification form (in-progress forms are not accepted).

How to apply 

We follow the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) application deadlines. Refer to the ACLP website regarding dates for each cycle. Email your completed application to childlife@nebraskamed.com or print and mail it to the address listed below.

Child Life Department – Attn: Internship Coordinator
Room 7420
4400 Emilie St.
Omaha, NE 68198

Your complete application must include:

• Application form and essays.
• Unofficial transcript.
• Two letters of recommendation, preferably one from a child life specialist and someone who has observed your interactions with children in a health care setting (recommendation forms not required/accepted).
• Resume.
• Cover letter.
• Verification of Child Life Practicum Experience Hours form.
• Proof of coursework (option A or B):
  • A – If all ACLP-required coursework has been completed, only a copy of the eligibility assessment is required.
  • B – If some coursework is still in progress at the time of application, you must submit an eligibility assessment (for proof of courses that have been completed) AND must also submit Confirmation of Child Life In-Progress: Additional Required Courses forms for classes that are in progress.

No additional forms are required other than what is listed above.

Music Therapy Practicum 

Nebraska Medicine also hosts music therapy practicum students through university-affiliated contracts upon request.

• The Music Therapy Practicum provides opportunities to:
• Observe a board-certified music therapist.
• Lead music therapy sessions within the pediatric medical setting.
• Learn about a variety of medical procedures and treatments.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (e.g., OT, PT, SLP, Child Life, Nursing).
• Learn hospital policies and procedures.  
• Be exposed to an integrative approach to music therapy in family-centered care.
• Build professional skills in preparation for a music therapy internship.

Please email the Child Life and Family Development team at childlifeandfamilydevelopment@nebraskamed.com with additional questions.