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About This Program
Those seeking child life specialist certification will find American Public University’s (APU) undergraduate certificate in child life helps develop the skills needed to work with children facing chronic or traumatic illness or events.
Coursework prepares you to provide coping mechanisms for children and their families during acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss, and bereavement. Expand your knowledge of therapeutic activities as you fulfill the academic requirements needed to sit for the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) examination.
As you search for child life specialist certification programs, you will discover APU’s child life certificate is a seven-course online program designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree but need additional coursework to prepare for the CCLS exam. To learn about additional requirements needed to sit for the CCLS exam, visit the Association of Child Life Professionals website.
NOTE: This program has specific admission requirements.
What You Will Do
- Explore child life theory and practice
- Understand the issues faced by children and their families during times of acute or chronic illness
- Gain professional-level academic training in the field of child life
Program at a Glance
$315**
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Want to Learn More?
Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3585
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3588
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4699
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4850
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4851
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Choose 3 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4217
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4200
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Choose 3 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 5009
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4897
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4965
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Admission Requirements
The following is required for admission into this program. All documentation must be provided prior to course registration:
- Your official bachelor’s degree transcript from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Signed statement of understanding (SOU)
Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
Please be prepared to submit a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students) upon request.
There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.
IMPORTANT NOTES
This program does not award professional licensure and does not qualify you to apply for teaching licensure.
This program may be helpful in preparing to earn certain professional certifications. Additional clinical requirements are needed to sit for the Child Life Certification exam. The University does not assist with practicum/internship placements, and you must self-place for these experiences.
Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many hospitals may be limiting internship placements at this time. We are making you aware as this may adversely impact your time to completion. Please speak with the practicum placement coordinator if you have questions by emailing [email protected].
Additional coursework beyond the 7 course certificate may be needed depending on your bachelor’s degree to fully meet the academic requirements to sit for the CCLS. In addition, all candidates for the CCLS examination must complete the required practicum/internship. Students must place themselves in a practicum or internship. The university does not offer assistance with placement, but is willing to negotiate affiliation agreements with hospitals that are open to the process. Practicum/internship support courses are offered for affiliated students. Additional information on these requirements can be found at www.childlife.org.
An APU admissions coach will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.
Need Help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].
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Disclosures
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1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
*Cost Per Credit Hour
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
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