Internships & Student Programming

Scottish Rite for Children offers a Multi-Site Practicum Program (MSPP) for individuals preparing for a child life internship. This program allows practicum students to become familiar with child life services at different facilities within the DFW metroplex. The MSPP allows students to observe child life specialists in a variety of contexts, including procedures, surgery, children of adult settings, and more. These observation experiences and assignments encourage the development of communication skills and provide a supportive environment to integrate theory with clinical practice. Our goal is to create a program that meets the needs of students while providing valuable and diverse experiences.

Candidates will be selected to participate in a virtual interview process called Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Students will rotate through timed stations and meet with site supervisors from each facility. At the end of the interview, there will be a group information session and Q&A time.

Following the interview, students will be contacted by phone with an offer for the practicum program.

Please email childlifepracticum@tsrh.org for additional questions.

To learn more about the field of Child Life and how to become a certified Child Life Specialist, please visit www.childlife.org.

Requirements:

• GPA 3.0 or higher on transcript
• Send all required application documents to childlifepracticum@tsrh.org
• Be enrolled as a current student at a university at sophomore level or higher (and remain enrolled during the practicum)
• Completion of typed SACLP Application
• Typed paragraph answering the following question: Are there any additional availability details that we would need to know about your schedule?
• Required courses
  • Play
  • Child Development
  • Child Life Course
• Unofficial transcripts from undergraduate and master’s level if applicable (must show final passing grade or “in progress” status for required courses)
• In Progress Form - This form is specifically for the class that is being taken during the semester of the practicum. Only one course can be in progress and must have an In Progress form completed.
• One-page resume
• Two “Practicum Reference Forms” from the SACLP application must be sent via email to childlifepracticum@tsrh.org.
  • One reference form must be from someone who observed you with direct interaction with children.
  • Reference forms must be sent to the email above directly from the reference and must include the applicant’s first and last name in the subject line of the email by the application deadline. Students are responsible for ensuring letters of recommendation and applications are turned in on time.
• Transportation not provided between facilities
• Applications mailed or dropped off in person will not be accepted.
• Please email childlifepracticum@tsrh.org for additional questions. Due to the large number of applicants, emails regarding application status may not be answered. Please check spam and junk folders for emails from this address.

Practicum deadlines for students

We do not offer a summer practicum placement or internship.

Back to top

Scottish Rite for Children offers a therapeutic recreation internship to students studying therapeutic recreation and/or taking classes to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). The internship is a 14-week nonpaid program to help prepare students for an entry-level position in therapeutic recreation. Interns work 40 hours per week and have the opportunity to work with inpatients and outpatients, as well as assist with community outreach programs. Our internship builds on what is learned in the classroom to prepare the student for success in whatever setting they choose to practice therapeutic recreation.

Our internship prepares students for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam, which each student must pass to become a CTRS.

Interns must complete the application form. Once submitted, we will contact you about interview opportunities. For more information, please contact the Therapeutic Recreation Department at 214-559-5179 or email therapeutic.recreation@tsrh.org.

Next available therapeutic recreation internship: Spring 2026 and Summer 2026
Deadline for Spring '26 Applications: September 15, 2025
Deadline for Summer '26 Applications: March 15, 2026

Scottish Rite for Children offers internship opportunities to students studying kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology and biomedical engineering in the Movement Science Lab on the Dallas campus.

Summer internships consist of an eight- to 10-week unpaid program and have a minimum requirement of 20 hours a week (preference is given to those able to work 40 hours per week). The goal of the internship is to provide students with an opportunity to observe motion analysis in a clinical setting. Each student is assigned a project based on their educational background and experience. Our summer curriculum series also includes weekly didactic lectures and assignments emphasizing clinical research design and practices, as well as basic biomechanics and motion analysis.

Semester internships are also available in both the fall and spring. Requirements and internship details vary based on the student and lab availability.

Students interested in an internship must complete the student interest application. To be considered, students must submit a resume with their application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however please note the following deadlines:

Summer Application Deadline: March 15
Fall Application Deadline: July 1
Spring Application Deadline: Nov. 15

If you have questions about internship opportunities in the Movement Science Lab, please contact gaitlab@tsrh.org.

Back to top

Scottish Rite for Children offers internship opportunities to students interested in studying sports medicine, orthopedics and clinical research at the Frisco campus, which could include sports injuries, concussions and fractures.

The sports medicine research internship program consists of a minimum eight-week curriculum. It is unpaid and requires a commitment of 10-20 hours per week. The goal of the internship is to provide students with a solid foundation in clinical research methodology. Each student is assigned a research topic, based on their educational background and experience, to develop over the course of the curriculum with the help of didactic lectures and focused assignments.

The internship also includes observation in clinics, operating rooms, the movement science lab and career development discussions (pre-med, pre-Ph.D., pre-P.T., etc.). Internships outside of the summer program are available but vary based on availability.

This internship is designed for incoming and established undergraduate students. Interested students must complete the application AND attach a resume. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

If you have questions about internship opportunities in sports medicine, please contact sportsresearch@tsrh.org.

Back to top

Scottish Rite for Children's orthopedic internship is a two-week program on the Dallas campus offered in the summer to highly qualified rising college freshmen, sophomores or juniors. The internship provides an opportunity to shadow in clinical environments and didactic instruction in health care leadership.

Interns will observe patient care with our doctors and advanced practice providers in both the clinic and the operating room; seeing a variety of orthopedic patients and diagnoses, including scoliosis, limb length discrepancies, hip dysplasia and clubfoot. Interns also have the opportunity to attend educational conferences open to orthopedic residents, fellows and Scottish Rite staff.

The internship also includes practical didactic instruction in health care leadership. Interns have assigned reading and participate in two networking lunches with the administrative leaders across Scottish Rite. Covered topics may include traits of high-performing leaders, incorporating personal values into leadership, inspiring vision and leadership and challenges in health care.

Requirements:

• Must be a rising college freshman, sophomore or junior, enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university at the time of application.
• Considering a career in medicine or health care.
• Available for the full two weeks and willing to commit a minimum of 30 hours each week.

The internship is unpaid. Parking is available at no cost.

The 2025 Orthopedic Clinical Summer Internship application period is March 3 - April 7, 2025. Applicants must complete all sections of our online application in order to be considered for acceptance.

If you have any questions about the orthopedics internship, please email orthopedic.summerinternship@tsrh.org.

Back to top

The Scottish Rite for Children Summer Nurse Extern Program offers a paid opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a pediatric setting while learning preformance expectations of an entry-level staff nurse. Externs get the chance to attend educational seminars and in-services and join patients at Scottish Rite's specialized summer camps. PRN Nurse Tech positions are also available. The program requires a 11-week commitment (May 19-Aug. 1) and participation in overnight summer camps.

Application Process

Application submissions will be accepted through March 21. Interviews will be held the week of April 7. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing and returning as a senior nursing student in the fall of 2025, graduating with a nursing degree in December 2025 or May 2026, and have a 3.25 GPA in nursing core courses and one clinical rotation by the program start date. Pediatric rotation completion is preferred. All applicants must be able to fully commit to the 11-week program and participation in overnight summer camps.

.

To apply, submit an online application and include the following information with your application:

• Your resume
• Official academic transcripts (Must include nursing core courses)
• A photocopy of your current American Health Provider BLS Card (exp date)
• A list of objectives you hope to fulfill through the program

For questions, please contact Hayden Hood at 214-559-7590 or email nurse.extern@tsrh.org.

Back to top

At Scottish Rite for Children, we believe in nurturing the future of healthcare through hands-on learning and mentorship. Our therapy department is proud to offer structured opportunities for students pursuing careers in Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT). Whether you're just beginning to explore the field or completing your clinical education rotation, we are here to support your journey.

Explore the opportunities below to learn more about shadowing, clinical rotations, and fieldwork experiences.

Shadowing Opportunities

Education is one of our core values, and we are thrilled to support the future generation of medical professionals.

Due to the high demand for shadowing experiences, we offer up to 15 hours of observation to eligible students. To qualify, you must:

1. Be 18 years or older. 2. Complete the Shadow Student Request Form 3. Fill out the Occupational Health Clearance Form and upload it through the request form.

Once your forms are submitted, our team will review your request and contact you with next steps.

We look forward to helping you take this next step in your journey toward a career in healthcare. For questions, contact us at: therapyservicesstudents@tshr.org

Physical Therapy

We welcome Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students for their final clinical rotations, offering 12–16 week experiences in our program. Program Directors of Clinical Education (DCEs) may submit their interest through the Exxat system beginning March 1st each year.

Selected programs will be notified and asked submit prospective students for consideration. Students will participate in an online interview and be required to submit application materials as part of the selection process.

Please note that clinical rotation slots are reserved one year in advance. While it is rare for a program to forfeit their rotation spot once offered, it does occasionally happen. If you are seeking a last-minute rotation slot, feel free to reach out—we will be happy to let you know if anything is available. Please reach out to therapyservicesstudents@tshr.org with any questions.

We offer clinical rotations in the following settings, with availability varying each year. Schools may submit their preferences; however, placement in a specific setting is not guaranteed until confirmed by the Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE).

Pediatric Orthopedic Inpatient Therapy

Students will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team, including orthopedic surgeons, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, and child life specialists to provide comprehensive care for children and adolescents requiring rehabilitation and medical management. These patients may have neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic, or other medical conditions and may be admitted for both acute and long-term care.

Throughout the rotation, students will develop critical thinking skills while gaining experience in post-operative protocols. They will learn to address a wide range of patient needs, including safe transfers and mobility, positioning, post-operative exercises, equipment recommendations, and caregiver education to support a safe discharge home.

This immersive experience is designed to strengthen both clinical knowledge and hands-on expertise, preparing students for future practice in pediatric rehabilitation.

Pediatric Orthopedic Outpatient Therapy

In our pediatric outpatient physical therapy setting, students will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for children with a wide range of conditions. These may include scoliosis, torticollis, toe walking, spina bifida, amputations, cerebral palsy, postoperative orthopedic cases, and other common pediatric orthopedic conditions.

This rotation requires a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Students will refine their skills in conducting detailed assessments and developing individualized treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique needs. This immersive experience is

designed to enhance clinical knowledge, hands-on expertise, and critical thinking, helping students develop the skills necessary for entry-level practice in pediatric physical therapy.

Pediatric Sports Outpatient Therapy

Our pediatric sports outpatient therapy setting offers a fast-paced and dynamic environment, working with highly motivated young athletes who are dedicated to excelling in their sport—many with aspirations of competing at the collegiate or professional level. Students will gain hands-on experience treating athletes recovering from both acute and chronic injuries, as well as postoperative rehabilitation following orthopedic procedures.

This rotation requires a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. A background in sports and a passion for athletic performance are highly encouraged. Students will be actively involved in return-to-play testing, injury prevention strategies, and sport-specific rehabilitation to help patients safely and effectively return to the field, court, or arena.

Evidence-based practice is a key component of this experience, with frequent reference to research articles and current best practices in sports rehabilitation. This immersive rotation will challenge students to refine their critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and hands-on skills in a high-performance setting, preparing them for future work in sports medicine and orthopedic physical therapy.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Opportunities: We provide rotations for students in their final Level IIB fieldwork rotations. We offer 3 highly specialized occupational therapy fieldwork opportunities in pediatric orthopedics.

Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy

In our pediatric hand therapy setting, students will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including our hand therapy team, fracture team, and sports medicine/orthopedic physicians. You will be involved in providing comprehensive care for children with a variety of conditions, including congenital hand differences, brachial plexus injuries, traumatic and sports-related injuries, as well as rheumatic and neurological conditions.

This rotation will require a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and tissue healing. Students will enhance their skills in performing detailed assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and applying hands-on techniques in orthotic fabrication and casting. This immersive experience is designed to build both clinical knowledge and hands-on expertise, essential for a future in hand therapy.

Pediatric Orthopedic Inpatient Therapy

In our pediatric inpatient occupational therapy setting, students will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including our orthopedic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and child life specialists. You will be involved in providing comprehensive care for children and adolescents who require rehabilitation and medical management due to neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic or other medical conditions during both acute and long-term admissions.

Students will enhance their critical thinking skills and learn appropriate post-operative protocols to address a variety of needs including safe transfers and mobility, positioning, adaptive ADLs, equipment needs and caregiver training to prepare patients and their caregivers for safe discharge home. This immersive experience is designed to build both clinical knowledge and hands-on expertise, essential for a future in inpatient occupational therapy.

Pediatric Orthopedic Outpatient Therapy

In our pediatric outpatient occupational therapy setting, students will work closely with a multidisciplinary team. You will be involved in providing comprehensive care for children with a variety of conditions, including spina bifida, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, cerebral palsy, congenital hand differences, and more.

This rotation will require a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Students will enhance their skills in performing detailed assessments and developing individualized treatment plans. Students will gain exposure related to pre-operative therapy evaluations, durable medical equipment assessments, and orthopedic-focused therapy interventions such as constraint induced movement therapy and self-care skills training. This immersive experience is designed to build both clinical knowledge and hands-on expertise.

Other opportunities during your rotation may include:

• Observe a surgery
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration
• Participate in weekly focused learning discussions
• Observe other hospital departments such as Orthotics and Prosthetics, Movement Science Lab, Fracture clinic, Therapeutic Recreation, and Child Life.
• Participate in summer camp

Our Commitment to You We are committed to providing you with a highly skilled occupational therapist who is motivated to offer hands-on instruction and constructive feedback. Your learning experience will include weekly topics and meetings to ensure consistent progress. We are here to support you throughout this journey.

Our Expectations of You: Come prepared and open to learn! We have a deep passion for what we do and for the patients we work with, and we want to share that passion with you. While we value academic knowledge, we also have high expectations for professionalism. Expect this rotation to be challenging—it will push you to grow into the best occupational therapy practitioner you can be.

Our Core Values Our CARE RITE core values are who we are, what we stand for and what we want to become. They are at the very heart and soul of who we are. Behind every decision we make and every direction we journey, our values shape and guide us. These core values are the very essence of our culture. And our culture is something that lives in each and every one of us. Our culture is why we walk someone who is lost to their destination rather than just telling them where to go. Our culture is why we pop fresh popcorn. Our culture is why we treat the whole child and never just the condition. It’s also something we must protect, because it’s through our values and our culture that our foundation is strong and we can continue to build for a better tomorrow.

Students interested in completing a Level IIB FW rotation at SRC will need to:

1. Submit an application via the provided form (Scottish Rite Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Request).

2. Participate in an interview as part of the selection process

Key Dates for 2026 rotations:

• Applications Open: January–May 2025
• Interviews Conducted: June–July 2025
• Final Acceptance Notifications: By July 31, 2025

If the application and final acceptance dates present a challenge for your school timeline, please have your school reach out to therapyservicesstudents@tsrh.org to discuss options.