Child life specialists (CLSs) are highly trained health care professionals who work with children and families facing chronic or episodic health care needs. CLSs use their knowledge and training in development, play, stress and coping, and family systems, to promote adaptive coping with pediatric illness and injury. They are critical members of the interdisciplinary pediatric health care team. Through the MSCL program, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the medical issues and developmental and family factors impacting infant, child, and adolescent response to pediatric care.
The MSCL program is founded on a longstanding professional collaboration between the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). The program is intensive in terms of academic preparation, practical supervision, and close mentorship of students. A cohort of 10-11 students is admitted each fall, and they progress though the program together as a group, taking a set curriculum. The MSCL program is a full-time program with two required summer classes between the first and second program years.
Students in the MSCL program learn to develop and initiate effective family-centered-care intervention within the hospital and other community settings. They gain skills to work effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams so as to provide optimal psychosocial care to patients and families. Students will work with College of Charleston/University of Charleston South Carolina faculty and Medical University of South Carolina Certified Child Life Specialists in integrated coursework and practicum experiences. They also will have the opportunity to learn to initiate and execute child life program development working with a network of community non-profit agencies that serve as program community partners. Students apply for formal child life internship to be completed during the spring semester of the second program year. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to take the national Association of Child Life Specialists Certification Examination.
