Child Life Specialist (CHLS) < Loma Linda University

Courses

CHLS 501. Hospitalized Infant and Toddler Development. 3 Units.

This course focuses on infant and toddler development (birth to age 3), emphasizing developmentally appropriate activities in healthcare and community settings. Students will identify risks for delay, adapt child life skills to meet needs, and promote positive caregiver-child attachment. Emphasis is placed on professional and caregiver relationships. Students will build competencies to support healthy development and positively impact the lives of infants and toddlers.

CHLS 502. Introduction to the Child-Life Profession. 3 Units.

This course aims to instruct on the evolution and historical background of child life, along with the theoretical foundation that shapes the profession. Students will explore the six essential content areas outlined by the Association of Child Life Professionals: official documents, scope of practice, impact of illness, family-centered care, therapeutic play, and preparation. Additionally, pertinent research will be covered, forming a crucial part of evidence-based practice of the profession.

CHLS 503. Preparation for Clinical Placement. 3 Units.

Preparation for Clinical Placement helps students develop a child-life specialist identity for clinical practice through readings, discussion of clinical practice placements, and formation of a personal philosophy. Students construct a cover letter, resume, and portfolio; as well as research clinical placement sites and become aware of the child-life specialist placement application and interviewing requirements. Discusses ACLP eligibility requirements and internship curriculum modules. Prerequisite:
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: CHLS 502.

CHLS 504. Child Life Administration and Program Development. 3 Units.

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the role of the Child Life Program Administrator, focusing on effective child life practice, program development, and administrative leadership in both hospital and community settings. Students will explore key topics such as organizational structure, ethical and legal considerations, budgeting, staffing, and team collaboration. Emphasis is placed on designing sustainable, evidence-based programs that meet the needs of diverse populations.

CHLS 505. Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Health Care. 3 Units.

This course introduces cultural diversity and its impact on healthcare delivery. Students explore cultural practices, values, and healthcare beliefs, and how they influence patient and family experiences. Topics include human differences, cultural preferences, implicit bias, and stereotypes, emphasizing equitable care. Through reflection and applied learning, students develop the cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence needed to support diverse populations and promote inclusivity.

CHLS 506. Therapeutic Play for Children Affected by Illness and Injury. 3 Units.

This course explores the developmental and therapeutic roles of play in pediatric healthcare. It examines how play supports the growth and well-being of children, adolescents, and families, and its integration into evidence-based child life practices. Through experiential learning, students gain insight into play's importance in holistic care, developing skills to use play as a powerful tool for healing, coping, and communication in clinical settings.

CHLS 507A. Aspects of Illness and Disease. 3 Units.

This course provides learners with a comprehensive overview of common childhood diseases, including an understanding of pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment options. Emphasis is placed on how illness impacts the behavioral, emotional, and social development of children, as well as the coping responses of both patients and their families.

CHLS 507B. Aspects of Illness and Disease. 3 Units.

This course explores the impact of illness and injury on the development of children and adolescents, and their families. Students will learn medical terminology relevant to pediatric healthcare and hospitalization, focusing on behavioral responses to medical diagnoses or hospital stays. Emphasis is placed on supporting pediatric patients and promoting family-centered care through an integrated approach, incorporating medical, psychological, spiritual, and social perspectives in clinical setting.

CHLS 508. Grief and Loss. 3 Units.

This course explores theories and evidence-based interventions related to death, loss, and grief in children, adolescents, and families. Emphasizing a family systems approach, students develop clinical sensitivity and competence in various settings. Reflective practice enhances self-awareness and growth, helping students examine personal beliefs and values to provide compassionate, professional support during times of acute loss.

CHLS 509. Child-Life Assessment. 3 Units.

Orients students to child life in hospitals and other health-care environments; and gives attention to stress and coping assessments, along with other interventions used to assist patients and families. Examines additional interventions and significant variables, such as providing emotional support for families and encouraging optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences. Addresses roles and responsibilities of membership on an interdisciplinary team.

CHLS 584. Advanced Child and Adolescent Development: Theory, Context, and Application. 3 Units.

This course examines child development from preschool through adolescence through a biopsychosocial–spiritual lens. Students review major theories and research, applying them to healthcare and other stressful contexts such as hospitalization, trauma, grief, and diverse family systems. Case studies and projects build skills in interpreting developmental behavior, anticipating stress responses, and planning evidence‑based child life interventions.

CHLS 604. Child Life Internship Seminar I. 4 Units.

Blends didactic and experiential learning in order to bridge the gap between child-life theory and the application of child-life principles. Prepares students for clinical work in the field of child life. Discusses the clinical requirements recommended by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), with emphasis on the ACLP's standards of clinical practice. Enrollment requires registration for CHLS 701: Clinical Training.
Prerequisite: CHLS 608.

CHLS 605. Child Life Internship Seminar II. 4 Units.

Blends didactic and experiential learning in order to bridge the gap between child-life theory and the application of child-life principles. Prepares students for work in the field of child life through the principles of clinical coursework shared in class. Discusses the clinical requirements recommended by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) and gives special attention to the standards of clinical practice set forth by the official documents of ACLP.
Prerequisite: CHLS 608.
Corequisite: CHLS 702.

CHLS 606. Parenting Medically Fragile Children. 3 Units.

Introduces students to parenting issues related to the medically fragile child. Provides knowledge of theories, techniques, skills, available community resources, and legal and ethical considerations that pertain to this specific group.

CHLS 607. Child Life Professional. 3 Units.

Prepares students for entering the professional field of child life by demonstrating clinical assessment, documentation, and skills related to child life practice. Includes application of ethical principles, as well as issues of professionalism. Requires a 100-hour practicum.

CHLS 608. Child Life Practicum. 1 Unit.

Students carry out assigned playroom duties: supervise activities that foster creativity, divert patients from stress and worry, and normalize their environment; and provide opportunities for patients and families to socialize and engage in developmentally appropriate activities. Students assist with bedside interaction and interventions and assist staff with escorting patients to other locations of the hospital for special programming.

CHLS 609. Global Practice: Child Life Specialist. 3 Units.

Introduction to child life practice in a global context. Examines ethical and practice issues associated with delivery of pediatric psychosocial services in health-care systems in underdeveloped and developed environments. Gives critical attention to issues of pediatric and adolescent growth and development, family-centered care, grief and loss, and advocacy. Shares models for learning and collaboration within the context of health-care delivery.

CHLS 611. Child Life Internship: Clinical Practice 1. 2 Units.

Provides didactic instruction with the clinical internship. Emphasizes integration of theory with hospital based practice through focused learning on assessment, interventions, and therapeutic communication. Supports development of professional competencies in psychosocial care, coping facilitation, and interdisciplinary collaboration within pediatric healthcare settings. Evidence informed approaches to patient and family support, reflective practice, and ethical decision making are applied.

CHLS 612. Child Life Internship: Clinical Practice II. 2 Units.

CHLS 700. Clinical Training. 2 Units.

A child-life practicum designed as an introductory experience for individuals interested in pursuing the child-life profession. Students enroll in an approved hospital site, complete 100-120 hours, and meet with a supervisor who meets ACLP requirements.

CHLS 701. Clinical Training. 6 Units.

Hands-on clinical training experience that provides the student with an opportunity to build on coursework and put theory into practice while working in a variety of hospitals and related settings under the direction of a certified child-life specialist (CCLS). 600 hours required through ACLP.

CHLS 702. Clinical Training. 6 Units.