Child Life Specialist

provide support for families

Human Services Program

Study Child Life at ETSU

The Child Life Concentration, housed within ETSU’s undergraduate Human Services major, provides coursework that supports the academic preparation required to pursue the Child Life Professional Certification Examination. Students study child development, family systems, therapeutic play, and the foundations of child life practice to prepare for supporting children and families experiencing illness, injury, and other challenging life events.

Eligibility for the certification examination also requires completion of qualifying clinical training and verification of academic and clinical requirements by the Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC).

Courses within the concentration include:

  • HDAL 2001 – Introduction to Child Life
  • HDAL 3001 – The Hospitalized Child
  • ECED 2110 – Infant/Toddler/Child Development
  • HDAL 2330 – Adolescent Psychology
  • HDAL 4001 – Family Theories
  • HDAL 4897 – Therapeutic Play in Child Life
  • COBH 4357 – Thanatology
  • HDAL 4666 – Cultural Influences in Development
  • COBH 2750 – Medical Terminology
  • ECED 3150 – Creative Development of Young Children

HDAL 2001, HDAL 3001, and HDAL 4897 are taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).

Academic Requirements for the Certification Examination

The coursework pathway to certification requires a bachelor’s degree and 10 college or university courses addressing the following content areas:

  • One child life course taught by a CCLS
  • Two child development courses that together cover birth through age 18
  • One family systems course
  • One play course
  • One loss/bereavement or death/dying course
  • One research course
  • Three additional courses in related content areas

Research coursework is included within ETSU’s Human Services major. Students in other majors, as well as visiting and non-degree-seeking students taking individual courses, should ensure that their coursework includes research and all other required content areas.

Courses must meet the specific content requirements established by the Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC). Completion of the concentration or individual ETSU courses does not automatically establish certification eligibility. The CLCC verifies academic and clinical requirements through its Eligibility Assessment.

Experiential Learning and Child Life Preparation

Students are encouraged to seek experiences with children, youth, and families that support preparation for child life practice. Human Services majors complete practicum and internship as part of their degree requirements and are encouraged to choose approved placements that build relevant skills and provide exposure to different developmental stages, family needs, and settings.

Students in other majors with service learning or field experience requirements are also encouraged to select approved placements that align with child life preparation. Students without these course requirements are encouraged to pursue relevant volunteer opportunities.

Child Life Practicum 

HDAL 4610 – Practicum in Child Life is available to students who independently secure a qualifying child life practicum that provides structured, supervised learning about child life practice with a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). The placement site establishes its application requirements and determines student acceptance. Accepted students may request academic credit and/or university affiliation through ETSU, subject to review and approval. The course does not provide placement. 

A child life practicum is not required by ACLP/CLCC for certification. Individual placement sites may establish their own expectations for applicants.

Clinical Internship and Certification

In addition to the academic requirements, candidates must complete a minimum 600-hour child life clinical internship under the direct supervision of a CCLS who meets CLCC supervisor requirements. Internship application requirements and timing vary by site.

Candidates must document completion of the academic and clinical requirements through the CLCC Eligibility Assessment. Once eligibility is confirmed, candidates may register for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination. Passing the examination is required to earn the CCLS credential.

Visit ACLP’s website for details about academic requirements, the Eligibility Assessment, and clinical internships.

 

For more information about the B. S. in Human Services -Child Life Specialist, please contact Dr. Audrey Besch at bescha@etsu.edu

See the following links for more information: