Endorsement

Undergraduate Endorsement Manual

Graduate Endorsement Manual

Endorsement

Endorsement is a voluntary process of self-study and external review intended to evaluate, enhance, and publicly recognize academic programs which meet the standards set forth by ACLP. The purpose of this process is to promote the interests of students through improving the quality of teaching, learning, and professional practice.

If endorsed, the undergraduate or graduate program can provide assurance to their students that their offered coursework will meet ACLP certification requirements. Endorsement also allows the academic freedom to structure their programs as they see fit and cover required topics across their entire curriculum rather than prescribing specific courses.

ACLP is currently evaluating the endorsement program and is not accepting new applications at this time.

Endorsed Programs

The following list highlights the undergraduate and graduate programs that are endorsed.

Undergraduate Endorsed Programs

Graduate Endorsed Programs

Bank Street College of Education, Master of Science in Child Life, Effective until December 2024.
Azusa Pacific University, Master of Science in Child Life, Effective for students graduating between April 2020 and April 2025.
Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Master of Science in Child Life and Family Centered Care, Effective for students graduating between October 2018 and October 2025.
Erikson Institute: Master of Science in Child Development with a Child Life Concentration for students graduating between October 2020 and October 2025.
Loma Linda University, Master of Science, Child Life Specialist, Effective for students graduating between April 2019 and April 2025.
McMaster University , Master of Science in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care, Effective for students graduating between April 2019 and April 2025.
Ohio University, Master of Science in Child and Family Studies, Child Life Concentration, Effective for students graduating between April 2021 and April 2026.
The University of Iowa, Master of Science Health & Human Physiology, Sub-Track Child Life, Effective for students graduating between January 2019 and January 2024.
The University of Minnesota, Master of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Development, Child Life Concentration, Effective for students graduating between July 2019 and July 2024.
Towson University, Master of Science in Child Life, Administration and Family Collaboration, Effective for students graduating between January 2020 and January 2025.
Texas Woman's University, Master of Science in Child Life. Effective for students graduating between October 2020 - October 2025.
University of Georgia, Master of Science in Child Life program, combination courses in Human Development and Family Science, Effective for students graduating between January 2021 and January 2026.

Overview & Resources

Undergraduate Endorsement

ACLP is currently evaluating the endorsement program and is not accepting new applications at this time.

Currently endorsed programs will be required to submit their annual maintenance paperwork and fee ($250).

The following are resources designed to support undergraduate endorsed programs:

Overview & Resources

Graduate Endorsement

ACLP is currently evaluating the endorsement program and is not accepting new applications at this time. Currently endorsed programs will be required to submit their annual maintenance paperwork and fee ($250).

In order for an academic program to be eligible for graduate endorsement, it must provide a master's degree in child life or related area with a concentration in child life and employ at least 1.0 FTE faculty member who holds an advanced degree, is a Certified Child Life Specialist, and is involved in child life program decision making and curriculum development.

The following are resources designed to support graduate endorsed programs: