Academic Requirements

Academic Requirements (PDF)

Academic Coursework Video

Pre-Approval of Academic Courses

Academic Endorsement

Steps to Become Certified (PDF)

Certification Candidate Manual

Go Back to Become Certified

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

OVERVIEW

Pre-Approval of Academic Courses

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

The pre-approval process evaluates a 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?

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

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

Where can I take the required courses?

Are there online options to take the required courses?

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

I’m wondering if a certain class will count.

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

How recently do I need to have taken the courses?

In what should I major?

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

What does it mean to be affiliated with a university?

Do unaffiliated/independent students need affiliation agreements?

Do all programs accept affiliated and unaffiliated/independent students?

Should I get a master’s degree?

Glossary of Terms

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

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