Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care, M.Sc.

MSc General Regulations for Admissions

Applicants are expected to meet the School of Graduate Studies requirements for admission. Post-graduate coursework will also be considered in this GPA calculation, and calculated on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants whose native language is not English, will be required to demonstrate evidence of proficiency in the use of the English language, as outlined in the General Regulations of the Graduate School. The minimum acceptable TOEFL (iBT) score is 92 overall with a minimum of 22 for reading 24 for speaking, 24 for listening and 22 for writing, or 600 (paper based) with a minimum of 45 for speaking score and a minimum of 50 in the other areas. Alternately an overall minimum IELTS score of 7.0 will be required.

MSc degree - Stream 1 option

Stream 1 of the Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care program provides academic and clinical training including two clinical internships to prepare students with knowledge, clinical skills and professional behaviours to practice as entry level child life specialists. Graduates of this Stream 1 will meet child life professional certification eligibility requirements. This stream is only offered full-time.

The anticipated completion of all program requirements for students enrolled in stream 1 is 2 years from initial enrollment.

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 June 30 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
Answering the specific questions posed within the online application.

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

Students will be required to successfully complete graduate course work in addition to clinical internships and clinical skills seminars. All courses are required, with the exception of course CLPPC 720 which is offered to students eligible for remediation. The 24 month program schedule is as follows:

First Year Fall Term:

First Year Winter Term:

First Year Summer Term:

Second Year Fall Term:

Second Year Winter Term:

Second Year Summer Term:

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)

These modules must be completed within the first month of a student’s first term in Year 1.

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.

MSc degree - Stream 2 Option

Stream 2 of the Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care program provides advanced practice skills in pediatric psychosocial care. It is offered on both a full and part-time basis to applicants who already hold qualifications as a healthcare professional with an interest in pediatric psychosocial care to enhance their practice. Clinical internships and clinical skills seminars are therefore not required. The anticipated completion time of all Stream 2 program requirements for full-time students is 1 year, and 2-4 years from initial enrollment for part-time students.

Individuals interested in becoming a certified child life specialist (CCLS) should apply to the Stream 1 program. Stream 2 does not provide all requirements needed to certify. Students admitted as a Stream 2 student are not permitted to transfer to Stream 1. Changing streams requires reapplication.

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 addresses the specific questions posed in the application checklist.

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 6 core and 3 elective graduate courses. Stream 2 students will also be required to complete the Pediatric Psychosocial Care Milestone. This milestone will provide students with the opportunity to engage in 3 interactive virtual workshops and develop ways to integrate pediatric psychosocial simulation and debriefing within their roles and in interprofessional education with others. Each learner will collate an e-portfolio with their reflections and assessment components. A 4th virtual session will be scheduled with the Centre for Simulation-Based Learning to participate in standardized patient scenarios to apply and integrate clinical skills and clinical reasoning within the presented scenarios on psychosocial topics.

Core Courses:

Elective Options

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

Course CLPPC 720 is only offered to students eligible for remediation.

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 within the first month of a student’s first term in Year 1.