top of page
Students Connected Logo Graphic Only_edi

Students Connected

Are you pursuing a Child Life career and in need of mentoring, support, and/or guidance to successfully obtain an internship or to achieve certification? You have come to the right place!

Live Child Life Internship Prep Course

Interactive course to help you throughout the application process. Ideal for unaffiliated students and

those needing additional support and clarity as you apply.

NEXT COHORT: FEBRUARY-March 2026 

Limited spots available!

Course Disclaimer & Expectations

Course Objectives

Course Includes:

  • 7 live weekly lectures and student support sessions

  • 4 months access to our Internship Application Library including 25+ resources and guides, and easy access to all needed ACLP documents and links

  • Password access to paid version of the Clinical Sites List

  • Email access to CCLS instructor

  • 20% off all 1:1 student support services: Application Essay Review, Resume Review, Mock Interview, and Mentoring Session

*Capped at 25 students!*

woman-with-headset-having-video-call-laptop_1.jpg
Screen Shot 2024-03-07 at 11.50.29 AM.png

1:1 Student Support Services

Choose from a variety of 1:1 student support services to prepare you for applying and interviewing for a child life practicum, internship, or clinical position!

Our Academic & Student Support Advisors offer:

  • Mentoring Sessions

  • Mock Interviews

  • Resume and Cover Letter Reviews

  • Application Essay Reviews

* These offerings are available in the CL Internship Application Prep Course at a discounted rate!

Child Life Certification Exam Prep Program

Interactive 4 week course - best for students who have taken the exam 0-2 times and need guidance and support!

NEXT COHORT: FEBRUARY 2026 

Limited spots available!

Course Disclaimer & Expectations

  • Access to 8 curated packets of information focusing on each domain area

  • ACLP recommended reading list reference list detailing where to find specific exam information in each text book

  • Practice exams and many practice questions with answer rationale explained

  • 4 one hour LIVE classes focused on reviewing information and guiding you on how to effectively and strategically answer questions *recording available if unable to attend live

*CAPPED AT 25 STUDENTS*

​

Screen Shot 2025-01-09 at 12.14.28 PM.png

Meet our Academic
& Student Support Advisor

Meridith Headshot.jpg

Meet Meridith Bergquist, MS, CCLS

Meridith Bergquist, M.S., CCLS has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for 15 years, dedicating most of her career as a Child Life Specialist in the Emergency Department. With an undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a Master’s in Child Development with a concentration in Child Life Leadership and Advocacy from the Erikson Institute; she has always demonstrated passion about serving the next generation of Child Life Specialists. 

​

Meridith continues to be an advocate for continued growth and evolvement of the Child Life profession. She is a lifelong learner and strives to be an educator not only for students, but for other healthcare providers. As a presenter at the Midwest Child Life Conference, her expertise and dedication to students, providers, and Child Life is unwavering. Through her time supporting children and families in emergent procedures, emotional distress, and bereavement; she saw a need to bring students into the picture. She strongly believes that some of the hardest moments and lessons of the Child Life profession can only be taught through experience. Thus, she created and implemented a Minnesota-based practicum program for students to foster skills of their own while observing a variety of clinical experiences. She is proud to say this program continues to evolve and support students in the ever-changing world of child life. ​

Woman Writing Desk

Libraries

For those needing resources and guides only!

Child Life Internship Application Prep Library

Best for those who are confident going through the application process independently. 

  • Password access to our paid version of the Clinical Sites List

  • 4 months access to our Internship Application Library including 25+ resources and guides, and easy access to all needed ACLP documents and links

Child Life Certification Exam Prep Library

Best for those who are confident going into the certification exam!

  • Access to all course presentation slides and domain study guides

  • Our curated ACLP Recommended Readings Guide

What Students are Saying

Click Here to Join Students Connected Today!

"Students Connected Community (SCC) changed my path in ways that I was not expecting. I stumbled across Hearts Connected and their services through a random posting on a Child Life Facebook group when I was feeling discouraged and isolated after yet another round of disappointing news through the internship cycle. After connecting and sifting through resources, I felt the courage to reach out to Suzan W regarding some support with the upcoming application cycle. We met through Zoom and I literally cried with joy as Suzan gently, firmly and with great skill catapulted me forward through re-writing, re-structuring and practicing my application, supplemental essays and videos. Why did I cry with joy? I had never felt more ME peeking through the questions and answers of the application.

​

I had tried, and failed for several (more than three) rounds of internship applications, each that changed questions, or length of answers, or number of answers, or KSA focuses. As an independent student especially, I felt my application was no longer a representation of me, but a representation of what I thought internship committees wanted, and I was desperately grasping at straws. This past cycle was my last round of trying to get a Child Life internship. If I did not get an offer, I was going to move on and give up my dream of Child Life. I can say, with absolute certainty, that the difference SCC, Hearts Connected and Suzan made for me was immeasurable. Suzan never gave up on me, and was excellent in immediately identifying things in myself, my writing and my application that needed work. With that guidance, I am still a bit in disbelief, but am happy to say that I am packing my bags to complete my internship this fall! Highly recommend!"

- Leslie, SCC Member

National List of Clinical Sites

This is a comprehensive list of clinical sites (both practicum and internship) nationwide! We cannot guarantee information will not change, but this list is consistently updated monthly. To access the full list, join SCC!

ChildLife_(J170602128)_710x743.jpg

Nationwide

Camp List!!

Gain incredible experience and boost your resume by volunteering at a camp! Check out our extensive list of hundreds of camps, organized by state.

Photo-by-Artem-Kniaz-on-Unsplash.jpg

Child Life Academic Programs

This is a list of child life academic programs nationwide, organized by state. We cannot guarantee information will not change, but we consistently update this list monthly!

bottom of page