Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care, M.Sc.

Stream 1 Application Requirements

Stream 1 applicants are required to submit:

• An official transcript(s) of academic work completed to date at all post-secondary institutions attended, sent directly from the issuing institution(s). Non-English transcripts must be translated and notarized. Applicants may apply during the fourth year of their degree. In such cases, the pre-admission GPA for eligibility purposes is calculated using the most recent 10 courses towards their degree. Should an applicant in this category be offered admission to the program, the offer is “conditional” upon successful completion of their four-year degree by June 30 in that year, and maintenance of a B+ average in their final year of study.
• A minimum of two undergraduate courses in child development. This course work must cover growth and development from birth to 18 years of age as a requirement for child life specialist certification eligibility through the Association of Child Life Professionals. Should an applicant still completing this course work be offered admission to the program, the offer is “conditional”. Admission will be contingent upon confirmation of these courses being successfully completed by June 30 in that year.
• A current CV
• A volunteer work form demonstrating completion of 100 volunteer hours in a child life setting. Applicants who have not fully completed these hours may still apply. Should an applicant who has not demonstrated completion of these hours be offered admission, the offer is “conditional”. Admission will be contingent upon confirmation of these 100 hours being complete by August 15 in that year. 
• Three confidential reference forms:
  • Two confidential academic reference forms from an instructor most familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
  • One confidential reference form from a supervisor familiar with the applicant’s work with children
• A personal statement (maximum 750 words) of intent that explains:
  • ways in which the work of a child life specialist contributes to the health care experience of a child and family
  • what prior knowledge, skills and experience they will bring to the program
  • what is desired from this degree

Stream 1 Additional Admission Requirements

• Successful completion of the program’s multiple-mini-interviews.
• An offer of admission is contingent upon a “clear” approved police check, or approval by the Program Director. This condition of admission follows the Police Records Check Policy - Faculty of Health Sciences.

Meeting the above minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee admission. Limited space will be available.  The admission process is competitive.

Course Requirements

Complete with at least a B- standing 48 units of mandatory courses. All courses are half courses with the
exception of 4 quarter courses (*) and clinical incternships (6 units) and are scheduled as follows:

First Year Fall Term:

• Child Life Residency Week 1*
• The Child, Youth and Family in Healthcare
• Educational Research Methods in Health Sciences Education

First Year Winter Term:

• Pediatric Psychosocial Assessment
• Grief, Loss and Bereavement in Childhood and Adolescence
• Evaluating Evidence: An Approach to Critical Evaluation of the Literature

First Year Summer Term:

• The Vulnerable Child and Youth
• Child Life: Foundations of Play
• Professional Ethics
• Child Life Residency 2*

Second Year Fall Term:

• Clinical Internship 1 (360 hours)
• Clinical Skills Seminar 1

Second Year Winter Term:

• Clinical Internship 2 (360 hours)
• Clinical Skills Seminar 2

Second Year Summer Term:

• Program Planning and Evaluation
• Independent Master’s Project

All courses are offered online with the exception of the mandatory on-campus residency week courses, and clinical internships.

Required Online Modules

Online modules must also be taken by all graduate students:
• SGS 101/ Academic Research Integrity and Ethics
• SGS 201/ Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities act (AODA)

The School of Graduate Studies SGS 101 and 201 courses must be completed in the Year 1 Fall term. 

Students are required to successfully complete the above graduate course work in addition to clinical internships and clinical skills seminars. All are required, with the exception of course 720 which is offered to students eligible for remediation.

Clinical Internship Requirements

In addition to the required coursework, students in Stream 1 will be required to successfully complete two twelve-week internships to establish minimum entry-level competence within the scope of child life practice across identified domains. Internships and competency areas follow the criteria set forth by the Child Life Council (CLC). Clinical internships will be evaluated utilizing an internship evaluation tool designed to assess skills and knowledge base reflective of the CLC Child Life Competencies, and the Child Life Professional Certification Exam Classification System. It will be utilized a minimum of twice per internship with the clinical preceptors in each internship, and the faculty Internship Coordinator/Clinical Educator to assess student progress and professional competencies. Internship locations at children’s hospitals, general hospitals, and/or community settings vary each year, and may occur in different regions and cities. Students are responsible for their own transportation and all associated costs in order to meet this program requirement.

Health Sciences Graduate programs with clinical courses requires that all clinical activities associated with such courses must be successfully achieved for attainment of a passing grade in the course. Unsatisfactory standing or serious deficits in matters related to work in clinical settings (e.g. patient safety, ethical behaviour, professional competence), or professionalism when interacting with patients and families may result in termination of the clinical internship. In most situations termination of the clinical placement constitutes a failure and will result in the student receiving a grade of F in the Clinical Internship course, and may result in dismissal from the program. Students will receive a Program Handbook, and Clinical Education Handbook which provide additional information and details regarding procedures, guidelines and requirements. In the event of a discrepancy between these documents and the
Graduate Calendar, the Graduate Calendar represents the official policy.

Stream 2 Application Requirements

Stream 2 applicants are required to submit:

• An official transcript(s) of academic work completed to date at all post-secondary institutions attended, sent directly from the issuing institution(s). Non-English transcripts must be translatedand notarized.
• A current CV
• Proof of active registration in a professional association (e.g. membership number, certification or licensure number) must be included on the applicant’s resume.
• Two confidential reference forms from an instructor most familiar with the applicant’s academic work. Consideration on the use of an employer reference will be provided on a case-by-case basis.
•  A personal statement (maximum 750 words) of intent that explains:
  • why they are seeking graduate education in this program
  • what they will bring to the program such as prior experience in a field related to healthcare
  • what is desired from this degree

Meeting the above minimum admissions requirement does not guarantee admission. Limited space will be available. The admission process is competitive.

Course requirements

Complete with at least a B- standing 7 core and 3 elective graduate courses. All courses are half courses
with the exception of 4 quarter courses (*).

Core Courses:

• Pediatric Psychosocial Care Residency 1*
• Educational Research Methods in Health Sciences Education
• Evaluating Evidence: An Approach to Critical Evaluation of the Literature*
• Professional Ethics*
• Pediatric Psychosocial Care Residency 2*
• Current Issues in Pediatric Psychosocial Care
• Independent Master’s Project

Elective Options

• Special Topics in Pediatric Psychosocial Care
• RS 708 Reasoning and Decision Making
• RS 770 Leadership in Rehabilitation
• The Vulnerable Child and Youth
• Pediatric Psychosocial Assessment
• Grief, Loss & Bereavement in Childhood and Adolescence
• Program Planning and Evaluation
• Children, Youth and Families in Healthcare
• Other graduate elective(s) approved in advance by the program

All courses are offered online with the exception of the mandatory on-campus residency week courses.