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Academic Requirements

Academic Requirements (PDF)

Academic Coursework Video

Child Life Store

Certification Candidate Manual

Academic Requirements to Become a Certified Child Life Specialist

There are two academic requirements to become a Certified Child Life Specialist:

  • Bachelor's degree

  • Specific coursework which can be obtained by graduating from an ACLP-Endorsed Academic program or by completing 10 specific college courses (see more on these two options below)

Option 1: Obtaining Specific Coursework

Graduating from an ACLP-Endorsed Academic Program

If an individual graduates from an ACLP-Endorsed Academic Program, this will satisfy the academic requirements to apply to take the Child Life Certification Exam.

The purpose of program endorsement is to promote the interests of students through improving the quality of teaching, learning, and professional practice.

ACLP Endorsed Program Directory
OPTION 2

Option 2: Obtaining Specific Coursework

If an individual does not graduate from an ACLP-Endorsed Academic Program, they can obtain the required academic coursework needed to take the Child Life Certification Exam by completing 10 specific college courses.

Those courses are:

  • 1 child life course taught by a CCLS
  • 2 child development courses
  • 1 family systems course
  • 1 play course
  • 1 loss/bereavement or death/dying course
  • 1 research course
  • 3 additional courses in related areas

ACLP Pre-Approved Course List

Academic Institutions

Pre-Approval of Academic Courses

Academic course pre-approval is a voluntary process by which graduate and undergraduate academic programs can identify which of their course offerings would be accepted towards the academic eligibility requirements for certification.

The pre-approval process evaluates an academic program's course(s) utilizing course descriptions, syllabi, and other materials to make a determination as to whether or not the course fulfills requirements.

If pre-approved, academic programs can provide assurance to their students that their course will meet the certifications requirements. 

View Pre-Approved Courses

FAQs: Academic Requirements

Read the frequently asked questions related to the academic requirements necessary to sit for the Child Life Certification Exam.

What credit level courses should I take?

What credit level courses should I take?

For each of the 10 required courses, it is recommended that students take a 3-credit course or the equivalent to have an appropriate depth of instruction. However, there is no minimum number of credit hours per class at this time. For a course to count, the required content must be the primary focus of the course.

Do the required courses have to be taken for college credit?

Do the required courses have to be taken for college credit?

Yes. Non-credit or audited courses are not accepted.

Is there a certain order in which the required courses need to be taken?

Is there a certain order in which the required courses need to be taken?

No. Courses can be taken in any order.

Where can I take the required courses?

Where can I take the required courses?

The courses that are required must be taken for credit and appear with a passing grade on an official transcript from an academic institution that has been accredited by an organization recognized by either the US Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. 

Are there online options to take the required courses?

Are there online options to take the required courses?

Yes. In the Academic Directory section of the ACLP website, you can find a list of academic institutions offering child life courses. This information is self-reported by the academic institution and may not be comprehensive or up-to-date. 

Do all of the courses need to be completed before I apply for an internship?

Do all of the courses need to be completed before I apply for an internship?

Generally speaking, most internships prefer that most of the courses are already completed or are in progress. Some internships may require that all minimally required coursework be completed at the time of application. This is a great question to ask when inquiring about individual internships. 

I’m wondering if a certain class will count.

I’m wondering if a certain class will count.

For any course which you are uncertain about meeting requirements, check the most recent requirements, and submit documentation for the course to be reviewed through the Eligibility Assessment.

Please note that only courses that have been completed will be reviewed. To determine if a course may meet the requirements share the details of the requirements with your academic advisor or instructor. If you are seeking assurance that a course you hope to take will be accepted, please see the list of pre-approved courses. ACLP does not pre-approve courses for individuals.

How do I find a course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist?

How do I find a course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist?

On the Academic Course Pre-Approval webpage, you can find a list of programs offering coursework taught by a CCLS. This information is self-reported by the academic institution and may not be comprehensive or up-to-date. 

How recently do I need to have taken the courses?

How recently do I need to have taken the courses?

As long as the coursework you have completed meets the requirements of the CLCC, it does not matter when the course was taken. You will be required to submit official transcripts for the Eligibility Assessment. 

In what should I major?

In what should I major?

The degree that you earn may be in any field of study. However, the individual coursework that you have taken must fulfill the requirements set forth by the CLCC. 

What if I don’t have a degree in child life?

What if I don’t have a degree in child life?

A degree in child life is not required for certification. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required; it may be in any field of study. There are specific courses that must be completed either as part of the degree program or in addition to it. The curriculum for certain degrees will align more closely than others. For instance, a degree in Early Childhood Education will align more closely than a degree in Electrical Engineering. The Eligibility Assessment will determine if your completed coursework meets the CLCC requirements or if additional coursework will be required. 

What does it mean to be affiliated with a university?

What does it mean to be affiliated with a university?

“Affiliated” and “unaffiliated/independent” are terms used to describe the connection with universities or colleges. Many healthcare facilities mandate that a legal agreement (an affiliation agreement or contract) must be in place before accepting a student or before a student begins the child life practicum or internship. University affiliation means that a student is either taking at least one class from a university, or it could mean that the student is full-time and/or degree seeking. Students who are not affiliated with a university or college are often referred to as “independent.” Most independent students are required to obtain personal liability insurance and a few institutions also require workman’s compensation coverage. These requirements are usually shared on the websites of individual institutions.  

Do unaffiliated/independent students need affiliation agreements?

Do unaffiliated/independent students need affiliation agreements?

Unaffiliated students are often referred to as “independent” and they also require affiliation agreements. In this case, the agreement (contract) is directly between the healthcare institution and the student. Unaffiliated students are often required to obtain personal liability insurance and a few institutions also require workman’s compensation coverage. These requirements are usually shared on the websites of individual institutions. 

Do all programs accept affiliated and unaffiliated/independent students?

Do all programs accept affiliated and unaffiliated/independent students?

No. It is best to find this information on individual program’s websites. It is unprofessional to ask for an exception to a program’s stated policy.  

Should I get a master’s degree?

Should I get a master’s degree?

While obtaining a master’s degree might make you a more competitive applicant for internships, and jobs, it is not currently required for certification. However, many institutions do require a master’s degree to hold a leadership position

Glossary of Terms

The following is a list of terms and definitions commonly utilized during the becoming certified process.

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  • Become Certified
    • Academic Requirements
    • Eligibility Assessment
    • Pre-Internship Experiences
    • Clinical Internship
    • Certification Exam
  • Maintain Certification
    • Annual Maintenance
    • Recertification
  • Resources
    • Forms and Manuals
    • Child Life Code of Ethics
    • CCLS Digital Badge
    • PDU Pre-Approval
    • CCLS Directory
  • About CLCC
    • Governance
    • CLCC Policies
    • CCLS Connection Newsletter
    • Contact Us
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