Child Life and Community Health — graduate certificate

Program Overview

The Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate from UFV prepares students to support the well-being of children and youth facing challenges. Through a supportive learning environment, students gain expertise in therapeutic play, child development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program meets ACLCP certification requirements and offers career opportunities in healthcare, education, and community organizations.

Program Outline

Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate - University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)

Degree Overview:

• Focus: Supporting the physical and emotional well-being of children and youth who have experienced traumatic events, illnesses, or injuries.
• Goal: Prepare students to become agents of change in the lives of youth and their families.
• Program Length: 15 credits, completed over four or five semesters.
• Certification: Meets the professional requirements of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLCP) for eligibility to write the Child Life Professional Certification Exam.

Outline:

• Learning Environment: Supportive and personalized, with a small cohort of 12 peers.
• Curriculum:
• Theories specific to child life and community health
• Therapeutic play
• Expressive therapies
• Child development
• Working with grief and loss
• Interdisciplinary healthcare team collaboration
• Community engagement
• Meeting the developmental needs of children and youth
• Course Schedule: Available upon request.
• Modules: Course descriptions are available upon request.

Assessment:

• Evaluation methods:
• Assignments
• Exams
• Clinical internship performance
• Assessment criteria:
• Demonstration of knowledge and skills in the field of child life and community health.
• Successful completion of the clinical internship.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods:
• Interactive lectures
• Group discussions
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Clinical supervision
• Faculty: Experienced and qualified professionals in the field of child life and community health.
• Unique approaches:
• Emphasis on experiential learning through the clinical internship.
• Opportunity to work with diverse populations of children and youth.
• Collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and community professionals.

Careers:

• Career paths:
• Child Life Specialist
• Community Health Worker
• Mental Health Counselor
• Special Education Teacher
• Youth Advocate
• Parent Educator
• Recreation Therapist
• Career opportunities:
• Hospitals
• Community health centers
• Schools
• Residential treatment facilities
• Advocacy organizations
• Government agencies
• Typical job titles:
• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
• Child Life Specialist
• Community Health Worker
• Mental Health Counselor
• Youth Worker
• Special Education Teacher

Other:

• The program is also designed to prepare students for further graduate studies in the field of child life and community health.
• Upon graduation, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with children and youth, their families, and healthcare professionals.