Applicants must submit the following for admission consideration:

1. Online application for graduate admission and the nonrefundable application fee.

2. Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate credit from all institutions attended.

3. Undergraduate degrees from regionally accredited college or university accepted include human development and family science, family and consumer sciences, health sciences, nursing, social work, and psychology. Other undergraduate degrees not specifically listed here will be reviewed based on transcript content.

4. Prerequisite coursework is required. Students must have taken these courses from an accredited academic institution earning a grade of B or higher and completing courses within 5 years of application:

a. A minimum of 1 developmental course including ages 0-18 (early child, middle child, adolescent development). Lifespan development courses will not be considered, because in-depth knowledge of children and adolescents is required.

b. Anatomy and Physiology (minimum 3 credit hours)

c. Medical Terminology (minimum 1 credit hour)

Any deviations from this prerequisite coursework will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

5. Undergraduate Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

6. Volunteer/Work/Practicum Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer, practicum, or paid work experience in a child/adolescent focused or child and family services setting. Experiences with children in healthcare settings supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist are preferred.

7. References (2) – when the application is submitted provide the contact information for two references. An email will then be sent to these references to complete an online recommendation form.

a. At least one reference should be from a former college or university instructor.

b. The second reference should be from someone who has directly observed the applicant interacting with children and/or adolescents.

c. Both references must be able to speak to the applicant’s potential for success in a child life graduate program.

d. The application is not complete until these recommendation forms from your references are received by the graduate program.

8. Applicants will indicate on the graduate application the TRACK they are applying to

a. The MS Degree in Child Life AND Experiential Learning

b. The MS Degree ONLY

9. Resume – upload a professional resume (no more than 2 pages).

10. Personal Statement – This will serve as a professional writing example and must use professional, formal language and tone, correct grammar, spelling, and syntax. This statement should demonstrate your interest in TN Tech’s M.S. Degree in Child Life and how it will help you meet your career goals. Limit the Personal Statement to a maximum of 1,200 words (approximately 200 words per item) and specifically address the following questions in the personal statement.

Upload a separate document, which includes the following:

a. Explain what a child life specialist is and the child life specialist’s role on the healthcare team.

b. How has your undergraduate degree prepared you for this child life graduate program?

c. List your professional goals. How will a graduate degree in child life help you reach your goals?

d. Explain how two different experiences with children from your resume will assist you in succeeding in the child life graduate degree program?

e. How have you prepared yourself for success in this graduate degree program?

f. Elaborate on your unique story that motivates you to seek a child life graduate degree.

Notes:

1. Applicants determined to be competitive upon review of the application requirements will be invited to interview with the Program Director and an admissions team via a virtual platform with a functioning camera for further consideration in the selection process.

2. Applicants are selected on a competitive basis and, therefore, admission is not granted to all applicants who meet the minimum requirements.

Application deadline for degree seeking students varies based on the semester you wish to enroll. Application deadlines may be found on the College of Graduate Studies “How to Apply” section of the website.

Those interested in the experiential learning necessary to become a Certified Child Life Specialist, must apply by the December 15 deadline for a Fall start date. If a cohort does not fill (maximum 10 students), applications for a Fall start date will be accepted until April 15.

Additional Admission Requirements – Experiential Learning Track

In addition to the requirements for admission to the Master of Science in Child Life as stated above, applicants who want to also be admitted to the Experiential Learning Track must provide:

1. Evidence of Work/Volunteer Experience – documentation of 100 hours of work or volunteer experience in child or adolescent focused or child and family services settings must be completed within 4 years of application. Of the 100 hours, at least 50 hours must be in a child life setting supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist. The Experiential Track Supplemental Form must be completed to document these experiences. This form will be uploaded with the Graduate application and is available on the College of Graduate Studies Online Forms webpage.

2. Personal Statement: In addition to the questions listed above for the Personal Statement, applicants for the Experiential Learning Track should include why they are pursuing the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential in a minimum of 500 words and maximum of 1000 words.

CHL-MS - Child Life

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Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements and Requisites

Undergraduate Fast Track Program