Program Description
Child Life Professionals are experts in the field of child development. They promote effective coping through evidence-based, developmentally appropriate intervention through therapeutic play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. Child Life Specialists provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to health care and hospitalization. Understanding that a child's well-being depends on the support of the family; child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators and the general public about the needs of children under stress (www.childlife.org). Program is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).Program Length
2 yearsPossible Careers
Child life is a growing but competitive field. Although child life has its traditional foundations in hospitals, an increasing number of child life specialists are applying their unique expertise to help children and families in other environments, including outpatient healthcare facilities, doctor offices, hospice care, specialized camps, schools, court systems, and funeral homes.Qualified graduates of the School of Behavioral Health are given priority interviewing for behavioral health positions with Loma Linda University Health.
Application Deadlines
There are currently no published application deadlines.Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences or equivalent
- Minimum grade point average 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) in bachelor’s coursework for at least the final 45 units prior to graduation
- GRE is not required
- Health clearance
- Prior to matriculation students must pass a background check
- Official transcripts on file
- Three letters of recommendation as specified
- Written statement of purpose for applying to the Child Life program
- Volunteer experience under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist is highly recommended
- Interview with department faculty as scheduled (on-campus group interviews are scheduled for mid-January through late March; other on-campus and phone interviews are scheduled individually)
- Those for which English is not their first language must present a minimum score of 80 for the computer test and 550 for the pencil test on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Prerequisites
Please reference Admissions Requirements.State Accrediting Agency
The academic programs at Loma Linda University are regionally accredited by the WSCUC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges [WASC] Senior College and University Commission).
Expected Cost of Attendance
Academic Year 2021-2022
| Year of Program: | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $38,025 | $26,605 |
| Fees | $2,757 | $3,676 |
| Books & Supplies | $2,500 | $1,500 |
| Instruments | — | — |
| Misc (e.g., Boards, Licensing exam, Uniforms) | — | — |
| Total | $43,282 | $31,781 |
Notes
Expected costs for the 2021-2022 academic year are based on full time attendance. From year to year, increases are anticipated consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
Estimated Living Expenses
Academic Year 2021-2022, off campus, with a roommate
| Year of Program: | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Months enrolled | 9 | 12 |
| Room & Board | $13,275 | $17,700 |
| Transportation | $2,880 | $3,840 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,250 | $3,000 |
Notes
- Amounts are what a student can apply to borrow for the number of months shown in each academic year based on living off campus with a roommate and not with a relative.
- International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on the numbers listed here.
- In general, to qualify for financial aid a student must be enrolled at least half time taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.