• To become more familiar with the child life profession.
• To integrate theory and research into practice.
• To understand the value of play in the health care setting and increase the student’s skills in facilitating therapeutic play through planning group and individual activities.
• To recognize the developmental, psychosocial, and medical needs of patients and families and how those needs are incorporated into goals.
• To recognize and understand patient’s and family’s reactions to stress, illness, and pain.
• To develop communication skills with patients, families, and other health care professionals.
• To recognize the importance of working with the interdisciplinary team.
• To continue to develop professional maturity, judgment and attitude.
• To set goals and evaluate performance.

• Current enrollment as a student at a college or university that is affiliated with Intermountain Health.
• Current Affiliations:
  • University of Utah
  • Brigham Young University
  • Weber State University
  • Utah Valley University
  • Brigham Young University-Idaho
  • University of Alabama
  • Utah Tech University
  • Idaho State University
  • Southern Utah University
  • Loma Linda University
  • Texas Women's University
  • University of La Verne
  • Utah State University
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Vanderbilt University
• Successful completion of a minimum of 15-hours of course work in areas relating to child life (ie; child development, family studies).
• 50 verified hours of experience working with children and families, preferably in a hospital or healthcare environment (as a student, volunteer, or employee).
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 of higher.

• Completed Application Face Sheet, Application & Questionnaire. Application must be typed.
• Unofficial transcript(s) verifying enrollment/completion of required coursework and from ALL post-high school institutions. All child development related courses must be highlighted on transcript.
• Two letters of recommendation or Child Life Recommendation and Verification of hours forms. These need to be from direct supervisors, or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge of your work with children and families. All letters of recommendation must be sent via author by email to childlife.practicum@imail.org. The students’ name must be in the subject line
• A professional resume
• Students must have verification of all hours listed on the application. Hours not verified will not be counted when reviewing the application. Verification of hours can be included in your letters of recommendation or using the Intermountain Child Life Recommendation and Verification of hours form. Hour verification must be sent via author to childlife.practicum@imail.org with student’s name in subject line.

Application due dates:

Winter or Spring Semester: First Monday in September

Fall Semester: Fourth Monday in March

Download an Application >

Each application is evaluated according to five components:

• Coursework
• Academic performance & GPA
• Professional recommendations
• Quality of application responses
• Quality and amount of volunteer and/or paid experience.

Students will be notified about practicum decisions according to the dates established by the ACLP. Invitation for an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the Intermountain Child Life practicum. Incomplete applications will not be considered for the practicum. Telepresence interview will be set-up for students who are outside of the local area. Email completed application materials to childlife.practicum@imail.org.

Late or incomplete application packets will not be reviewed. Once received, all applications will be thoroughly reviewed. Those individuals who qualify for an interview will be contacted by phone.

Those applicants who do not meet the requirements will be contacted by email. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to other sites, as spaces are limited.

Being invited for an interview does not guarantee acceptance to the practicum program. If applicants are not local, interviews will be completed virtually.

Please call Sheri Bothell at 801-662-3983 with any questions regarding our practicum program or your application.

Primary Children's Hospital and Eccles Outpatient Services
Number of staff: 43
Number of inpatient beds: 289 Level 1 Trauma Center
Inpatient and Outpatient Child Life Services
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah
(Accredited Internship site)

Primary Children's Hospital and Outpatient Services Lehi Campus
Number of staff: 18
Number of inpatient beds: 66 Level 2 Trauma Center
Inpatient and Outpatient Child Life Services
Located in Lehi, Utah

McKay Dee Hospital
Number of staff: 4
Inpatient and Outpatient Child Life Services
Number of inpatient beds: 310 Pediatric beds: 12
Level II Trauma Center
Located in Ogden, Utah

Utah Valley Hospital
Number of staff: 3
Inpatient and Outpatient Child Life Services
Number of inpatient beds: 395
Level II Trauma Center
Located in Provo, Utah

Riverton Hospital
Number of staff: 2
Emergency Child Life Services
Number of inpatient beds: 88
Located in Riverton, Utah

St. George Regional Medical Center
Number of staff: 2
Inpatient and Outpatient Child Life Services
Number of inpatient beds: 132 Pediatric beds: 12
Located in St. George, Utah

Primary Children's Outpatient Services at Riverton
Number of staff: 1
Outpatient Child Life Services Located in Riverton, Utah

Logan Regional Hospital
Number of staff: 1
Inpatient and Outpatient Child Life Services
Number of beds: 148 Pediatric beds: 6