I recently received an email from the Child Life Council discussing upcoming changes to their certification requirements.
“The CLC Board of Directors has approved a series of changes to the eligibility requirements for candidates for the Child Life Professional Certification Exam. These changes will not affect anyone currently certified or anyone who has already established eligibility and successfully completes the exam before 2019, as long as they do not allow their certification to lapse.”
The course work requirement will require candidates for the Child Life Professional Certification Exam to have completed:
- A minimum of 1 child life course taught by a CCLS
- A minimum of 2 child development courses (growth and development for all ages from birth to 18 years must be covered)
- A minimum of 1 course on family systems
- A minimum of 1 course on the therapeutic benefits of play
- A minimum of 1 course on loss/bereavement or death/dying
- A minimum of 1 course on research
- A minimum of 3 additional courses in child life or a related content area.
It is strongly recommended that applicants pursue this course work in the following areas: - human anatomy/physiology
- medical terminology
- ethics
I’m happy to announce that many of the courses in our Early Childhood and Youth Development (ECYD) program here at Dakota County Technical College could meet these requirements! We offer a child life course taught by a CCLS (online). We have a Child Growth and Development course, as well as many other early childhood courses (many available online). Our program also offers courses such as Working with Diverse Families and Children and Creative Development Activities. DCTC also offers the following courses: Medical Terminology, Medical Ethics, Anatomy and Physiology, and Death and Dying.
If you just need to pick up a few courses, you can register through us without declaring a major or being admitted to our ECYD program. You’d register as an undeclared student. Undeclared students are limited to 11 or fewer credits per semester. If you’re just beginning your educational journey, you might be interested to know that we offer a Child Life Assistant degree. We have transfer agreements with universities in MN, WI, and NY for this degree for continuation with your education after DCTC.
Tuition rates are the same for students whether you live in or out of MN. Currently, online tuition is approximately $200 per credit. Most of our courses are 3 credits.
Please contact me if you’re interested in learning more about what our program offers! You’ll find my contact information below.
Dawn Braa
ECYD Instructor
651.423.8315
dawn.braa@dctc.edu
https://blogs.dctc.edu/ecyd
https://www.facebook.com/EarlyChildhoodIdeasResources
http://www.pinterest.com/dbraa/child-life/
