Child Life Specialist

Association of Child Life Professions Website

Programs:

University of MN online certification program for Adolescents and Children

Programs offering pre-approved courses: Minnesota State University, Mankato

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 a specific course fulfills one or more of the 2019 course requirements. If pre-approved, academic programs can provide assurance to their students that their course offerings will meet one or more of the certification (2019) course requirements. 

The following is a list of programs offering pre-approved courses. Please note students taking pre-approved courses will still be required to complete an Eligibility Assessment. 

 Minnesota:
Minnesota State University, Mankato (2022-2024)
Program/Department Website: https://ahn.mnsu.edu/fcs/

Contact: Heather Von Bank, Ph.D. , heather.von-bank@mnsu.edu (507) 389-2421

Degree Offered: Child Development and Family Studies, BS, Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes 

Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes 
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: FCS 202: Introduction to Child Life Specialist
Play Course: FCSD 402: The Role of Play in Child Development


Experiences:

 Children's Minnesota: Child life informational sessions and interviews
We offer child life informational sessions several times a year. This is an opportunity to learn from and connect with a Certified Child Life Specialist. One-on-one informational interviews are available based on staff availability. Find out more.

Child Life Specialist Practicum (Mayo Clinic)

 Program overview
Program length: Minimum of 120 hours between the months of May-August
Class size: 2 students
Location: Rochester, Minnesota

 Application: Opens Nov. 1- Deadline Jan. 1 
Online application 

The Child Life Specialist Practicum at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, is an introductory experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a child life specialist.

Through experiential learning and observation of certified child life specialists, you will begin to increase your knowledge of evidence-based, developmentally-appropriate interventions to reduce fear and anxiety for infants, children, youth, and families as they cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, and treatment. Through these experiences, you will enhance your knowledge of the child life profession and investigate the process of applying child life and developmental theory to practice.

Child Life Specialist Internships (Mayo Clinic)

 Application process
The program begins in January and runs through April. For the Winter/Spring 2025 Internship, your application and all supporting documentation must be postmarked by Sept. 6, 2024.

As an accredited institution, the Child Life Internship at Mayo Clinic follows the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) guidelines for the application process.

Eligibility assessment documents must arrive at the ACLP office: Aug. 19, 2024
Application deadline: Sept. 6, 2024
Initial offer date: Oct. 8, 2024
Acceptance date: Oct. 9, 2024
Prerequisites
To be eligible for the internship, you must be a senior in college or have completed a bachelor's or master's degree with a major in:

  • Child life
  • Child development
  • Human growth and development
  • Child psychology
  • Other related fields