Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Child Life Specialist is a 74 quarter-credit program, which includes a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. Students are admitted into the program during the fall quarter.

Program Description

As one of the few graduate programs in the nation that is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals, students can expect a high level of both preparation and personal interaction as they embark on their career. Since inception, the program has kept its commitment to maintaining small class sizes. The program provides in-class clinical training by utilizing the hospital staff and their facilities as a working lab. All of the core child life courses are taught by certified child life specialists that have ten or more years of experience working in a clinical setting.

Program Length

The program is 2 years in length.

Possible Careers

The field of Child Life is expanding and becoming more competitive. While its roots are traditionally in hospitals, an increasing number of Child Life Specialists are using their specialized skills to support children and families in a variety of settings, such as:

• Outpatient healthcare facilities
• Doctors' offices
• Hospice care
• Specialized camps
• Schools
• Court systems
• Funeral homes

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted into the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelors degree in the Social Sciences or equivalent
• Minimum grade point average 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) in bachelors coursework for at least the final 45 units prior to graduation
• GRE is not required
• 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
• 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.

Accreditation

Loma Linda University is regionally accredited by the WSCUC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges [WASC] Senior College and University Commission).

Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors.

Required Program Costs

• Tuition & Fees: $48,600 (Year 1), $36,210 (Year 2)
• Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance: $4,500 (Year 1), $2,500 (Year 2)

Other Educational Costs

• Living Expense (Food & Housing Allowance):
  • On Campus Dorm: $12,447 (Year 1), $16,596 (Year 2)
  • LLU Owned Rental Property: $21,942 (Year 1), $29,256 (Year 2)
  • LLU Owned Rental w/ Dependents: $22,437 (Year 1), $29,916 (Year 2)
  • Undergraduate Dependent w/ Parents: $7,650 (Year 1), $10,200 (Year 2)
  • Off Campus: $21,942 (Year 1), $29,256 (Year 2)
• Transportation Allowance: $3,150 (Year 1), $4,200 (Year 2)
• Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $3,285 (Year 1), $4,380 (Year 2)
• Federal Student Loan Fees: $216 (Year 1), $216 (Year 2)
• Cost of Obtaining Professional License: $0 (Year 1), $0 (Year 2)
• Dependent Care: Available upon Request
• Disability-Related Expenses: Available upon Request

Notes

• Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
• Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
• To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.