Learn the field. Support the next generation of doulas.
A placement for a student who wants a real, hands-on look at birth doula education. The focus is doula training and education, and much of it is remote and online; built to fit around your semester.
Apply for This Placement~hours across the semester, meet program requirements. Largely remote and online. A full doula training, valued at $580, is included at no cost to you.
Glad You Are Here
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this placement, and for thinking about where you want to grow this year. Hosting practicum students has been a rewarding part of this work for me, and it has been a great experience on both sides.
The focus of this internship focuses on the work of the doula; but does not automatically include attendance at births. It centers on doula training and education, and much of it is remote and online; with a few in-person requirements. Have a look and see if it feels like the right fit for what you are hoping to get out of the semester before you apply.
Warmly, Melissa
What This Role Is Really About
Capital City Doula Services supports families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum season, and works to strengthen the wider community of birth professionals. Our work is more heavily weighted on doula education and continuing education. This practicum is built around one goal: learning how doulas are trained and supported, and helping shape that work.
A note on scope: this role does not include shadowing at births as a doula. The focus is on training and educating other doulas, and much of the work is designed around that goal. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in a doula training and can pursue doula certification on their own time, if they choose to.
What You Will Focus On
Learn the Foundations
Understand what a doula does, and how we support the next generation of doulas coming up behind us.
Complete Your Own Training
At no charge, and not counted toward your required course hours. Then help support and run trainings for others.
Build the CE Program
Contribute to the continuing education program we are building, which may include developing online classroom curriculum.
Video & Production
Assist with recording and producing the continuing education courses.
Share Your Ideas
If you notice a gap in the curriculum or the experience, we are collaborative and genuinely open to your point of view.
Assist with Practice Admin
Help with social media, podcast editing, writing, and the administrative side of birth and postpartum work.
Doula Training, Provided
You complete a full doula training as part of the placement, valued at $580, at no cost to you. It is offered during the semester and is not counted toward your required course hours, so your training is a gift rather than a task on the clock.
Certification, If You Choose
There is no need to certify ahead of time, and you may pursue it afterward if you like. Birth attendance and other certification steps sit outside the internship hours, since they belong to your own path. DONA gives doulas three years after training to certify, so there is no rush.
After a training is complete, there may be an opportunity for a client referral. In that case you would be the doula attending the birth, while Melissa won’t be attending the birth with you, she will be available to mentor you through it. There are no guarantees around assigned births, since that depends on timing and what comes our way.
Why Intern With CCDS?
There are many ways to spend a practicum semester. Here are a few reasons we think this one is valuable.
Learn From a Leader
More than 24 years as a doula and over 1,500 doulas trained. Melissa is a past president of DONA International and a recipient of the 2025 Penny Simkin Award.
Real, Useful Work
We’ll encourage learning about adult education and welcome you to and bring your own ideas to shape the curriculum and the experience.
Mentorship That Lasts
A past practicum student stayed on in an assistant paid role for a while after her hours were complete; as she waited to attend nursing school. The relationship does not have to end of the course required hours if it is a good fit on both sides.
A Welcoming Space
Professionalism and kindness are cornerstones. We value inclusivity and meeting people where they are, and we ask our interns to carry that same spirit.
Our doula trainings run on a regular schedule throughout the year. If getting a head start feels right to you, we can talk about whether an upcoming session makes sense before the semester begins.
What You Are Agreeing To
By submitting your application, you are confirming that you can commit to the tasks and expectations of this placement.
Ready to Apply?
Send your resume, a few examples of any social media work you have done, and a little about what you are hoping to gain and where you picture yourself heading afterward. That helps us shape the placement so it is genuinely useful for you.
Internship Application Form
Prefer to reach out directly? Email mharley@capitalcitydoulaservices.com.