This blog post is aimed towards all the students out there hoping to make their way into the field of Child Life. Recently there have been lots of changes in the path to become a CCLS. So, the following is my best explanation of the changes to the first step in that process: the eligibility assessment. The new eligibility requirements go into effect January of 2019.... which is only 3 months away!
Step 1: Figuring out if the new 2019 eligibility requirements apply to you
This may seem self explanatory, but there is the potential for it to become somewhat confusing. The gist is this: If you will take the certification exam after the November 2018 testing period you will need to make sure you meet these new requirements. This includes those students who are completing internships this fall and will not have enough clinical internship hours to sit for the November test. When you were applying to internships you may have passed the 2018 eligibility assessment, but since you won't take the test in 2018 you may need to go back and take another course or two to become eligible again.
Step 2: Option 1 or Option 2?
The ACLP has listed two options on their 2019 requirements explanation page which is linked here. I'm going to start backwards with 'Option 2' because it involves the least amount of effort on the students part. 'Option 2' states, the student has degree from an ACLP-Endorsed Academic Program. ACLP-Endorsed programs are those that have been reviewed by the ACLP and meet the standards and requirements set forth in the Standards for Academic and Clinical Preparation Programs found in the most current Official Documents of the ACLP. You can find the Endorsed Program Directory on the ACLP website by clicking the link. Currently, Syracuse University is the only ACLP-Endorsed academic program. So to those lucky students, congrats you can stop reading this post now because you will be eligible through 'Option 2'. For everyone else...... sorry keep reading to learn about 'Option 1'
Step 3: So you need Option 1....Coursework Requirements
The basics of 'Option 1' are this, you need at minimum a Bachelor's degree and within your degree coursework you must successfully complete 10 specified classes. The 2019 requirements explanation page linked above is a great resource for figuring out if your college classes meet these specific class requirements. The explanation page also provides guidelines for what classes WILL NOT be accepted for each area.
The first class is still the requirement of passing a Child Life course that is taught by a CCLS and covers the six areas of study set out by the ACLP. But, this is where the similarities of the requirements from past years and the new 2019 requirements stop. Previously the other nine classes were labeled as "additional classes in Child Life or a related subject area." Now, there are six specific courses listed with only three being allowed from related subject areas.
1.) Child development course
2.) Child development course
3.) Family systems course
4.) Play course
5.) Loss/bereavement or death/dying course
6.) Research course
7.) Related subject area course
8.) Related subject area course
9.) Related subject area course
What is also really important to note is that the ACLP has stipulated that one class may not be used to count for multiple coursework areas. So if you took a play class (ex: CLP110) that also reviewed family systems theories you would NOT be able to list CLP110 for both the play course and family systems course on your eligibility assessment. Once you meet all ten of the class requirements you have a complete eligibility assessment and will be able to sit for the exam, assuming you also have completed the required clinical hours.
Navigating all of these changes can be difficult, but it is ALWAYS acceptable to reach out and ask questions for clarification. Many of you may have advisors familiar with the ACLP guidelines/standards so can easily go to those advisors with your questions. However, some students may feel like they are walking this path alone with no one to guide them. What other parts of the path to certification are confusing or tough to navigate?
-K
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