Ascension Illinois offers comprehensive child life internship training during fall, winter/spring and summer sessions. Internship training is required for those students who are planning a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist. The internship is completed at Ascension Saint Alexius Women & Children’s Hospital.

At this time, we will not be accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Child Life Internship. Please check back in August for an update about Winter/Spring 2026 applications.

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Internship Requirements

About the program

Students are involved in the planning and implementation of a developmentally and emotionally supportive program for children and adolescents. Students are expected to incorporate play, emotional support, healthcare education and family involvement in order to help enhance the social, emotional, intellectual and physical well-being of children and families in the healthcare setting.

Students rotate through several different areas of the hospital during their experience. Rotations include the pediatric emergency room, pediatric outpatient services, the pediatric intensive care unit and general pediatrics. Students will also participate in community classes taught through Child Life Services. Internship students must be college seniors or graduates with a strong background in child development, psychology or a closely related field.

For more information, call 224-299-6607.