Department of Family Studies and Community Development
Child Life
 The goal of a child life specialist is to promote effective coping in children and their families who are undergoing stressful medical experiences. Child life specialists attend to the emotional and developmental needs of both the child and their family. They use their knowledge of child development and creativity to reach out to patients and their families, build rapport, and provide appropriate services. Child life specialists utilize a number of methods to promote effective coping including, but not limited to, play (therapeutic and recreational), preparing patients and their families prior to medical procedures or admissions, and providing emotional support to patients and their families. Child life specialists also work to promote an environment of family centered care.
In the Department of Family Studies and Community Development, we offer a track that provides courses appropriate for those wanting to pursue child life. Our Child Life Advisory Board helped develop the track to meet the needs of future child life specialists. It consists of members from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Children's Hospital at Sinai, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, Children’s National Medical Center, and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Child Life Track provides intense training for students pursuing child life. A list of required courses can be found in the Child Life Track section of the Degree Requirements page.
Certification Requirements
The Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential, issued by the Child Life Council, is the exclusive certification for this profession. Prior to sitting for the Child Life Certification Exam, applicants must meet three eligibility requirements.
| Eligibility Requirements |
1. Minimum of Baccalaureate Degree - Applicants must have either completed a bachelor’s degree, or be in the final semester of study for that degree. |
2. Course Work - Applicants must have completed a total of 10 college-level courses in child life or a related department/subject. Departments/ subjects include: Child Life; Child, Family, or Human Development; Family Dynamics; Psychology; Counseling; Sociology; Therapeutic Recreation; Expressive Therapies; Death & Dying; Biomedical Ethics; Cultural Diversity (Courses in world religions do not fall into this category)
Courses from other subjects/ departments may be acceptable depending on content. |
3. Clinical Child Life Experience - Applicants must have completed a minimum of 480 hours of child life clinical experience under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist who meets specific qualifications. |
For additional information, please visit the Child Life Council website
Department of Family Studies and Community Development
College of Liberal Arts Building, Suite 2210
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 410-704-5851
Fax: 410-704-3612
E-mail: fmst@towson.edu
|
