Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy

Music Therapy Student Program

Music Therapy training opportunities exist for second year graduate students. Candidates must be enrolled in an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)-approved graduate Music Therapy program. Application is not a guarantee of acceptance, and a limited number of students will be accepted each year as space allows.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A strong background in child development
• A strong background in the application of music therapy in child development
• Knowledge of psychosocial issues related to illness and hospitalization
• Student or work experience with children (experience with hospitalized children and/or children with special health needs strongly preferred)

To apply to the Music Therapy student program, please download the application.

For more information about the Music Therapy education program, please contact the Child Life, Education & Creative Arts Therapy Department at 215-590-2001 or e-mail creativearts@email.chop.edu.

Student Program Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to complete a student experience?
No, the Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy department provides student education free of charge.

Are student experiences paid?
No, none of the student experiences are paid.

Are start/end dates flexible?
Start/end dates depend on several variables, including Hospital orientation dates and the length of the student experience. Check with the student program coordinator for the program you are interested in for more specific information on the flexibility of start/end dates, as they will vary as well from program to program.

How many students do you accept at a time?
The number of students accepted will vary from semester to semester due to the number of applicants and supervisor availability. Generally we accept two to four child life students, four creative arts therapy students (art/music therapy) and one dual child life/therapeutic recreation student.

Do you provide housing for out-of-town students?
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia does not provide housing for students. However, rooms and apartments are available for rent from Sansom Place Guest Accommodations through The University of Pennsylvania, located adjacent to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Students who are accepted to the student program who contact Sansom Place Guest Accommodations for housing must notify the staff at Sansom Place that they are CHOP-Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy department students.

Child Life/Therapeutic Recreation

Do I get to pick where I'm placed?
Interns have the ability to give feedback about which areas in the Hospital are most interesting to them. Final placement decisions are made at the discretion of the student program coordinators.

What are the prerequisites for applying for an internship?
Potential interns must have completed a minimum of 100 hours volunteer or paid work experience in the pediatric healthcare setting.

I have experiences working with children in other settings. Do they count towards my 100 hours?
While all these experiences with children are extremely valuable in the selection process and your career overall, the 100 hours in a pediatric healthcare setting are a requirement. Additional hours in other settings should be included on your application.

If I do a dual internship, will I have met the requirements to be certified in both CL and TR?
Upon completion of a dual internship, the intern will meet the eligibility requirements of an internship experience for both NCTRC and CLC.

Do I need to get my bachelor's degree in child life to do a practicum or internship in child life, or to be a child life specialist?
No, you don't need a bachelor's degree in child life.

How do I know if I have the correct coursework to do an internship in child life or to be a child life specialist?
The Child Life Council is the governing organization for the child life profession. Information on coursework can be found on their Web site, www.childlife.org. CLC can also review your transcript for you.

What major should I pursue to be a CLS?
Information on career planning can be found on the Child Life Council Web site, www.childlife.org.

Do you accept interns that are not currently enrolled in/affiliated with a college or university?
Yes. If you are in your last semester of your senior year or if you have completed your bachelor's degree, you are able to apply for our internship.

Is the internship full-time?
Yes. Child Life or Therapeutic Recreation: 14-15 weeks, 40 hours per week.
Dual Child Life/Therapeutic Recreation: 18 weeks, 40 hours per week.

Is an onsite interview required?
No, because the majority of our applicants are not from the local area, a phone interview is sufficient, although all applicants are welcome to come for an on-site tour and interview.

Art Therapy

At the end of my student experience, will I be able to get certified as an art therapist?
No. Certification requirements differ based on a number of variables. Please visit www.arttherapy.org and www.atcb.org for more information on certification eligibility requirements.

Can I volunteer with the Art Therapy program?
No, the Art Therapy program does not currently accept volunteers. However, you may contact the Volunteer Department at 215-590-1093 or volunteers@email.chop.edu to explore other opportunities for volunteering at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.