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Admissions

Applications are now closed for the 2024/25 academic year.

Expandable List

Applicants will be required to meet the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies:

  • An Honours bachelor’s degree or the international equivalent from an accredited university
  • B+ average (77-79%, equivalent to a McMaster 8.5 grade point average) in the final year of undergraduate study
  • Applicants whose native language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language, as outlined in the Graduate Calendar. Similar to several other graduate programs, a minimum acceptable TOEFL (iBT) score  will be 92 overall with a minimum of 22 for reading 24 for speaking, 24 for listening and 22 for writing. Alternately an overall minimum IELTS score of 7.0 will be required.

For admission to the MSc in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care program, an applicant must also meet the criteria listed below to ensure the appropriate background and success of our learners.

  • Qualifications as a health professional; e.g. nurse, child life specialist, physician, social worker, art therapist, psychotherapist, etc.

Meeting the above minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee admission. Limited space will be available, and the admission process is expected to be competitive.

**Individuals interested in becoming a certified child life specialist (CCLS) should apply to our ACLP endorsed Stream 1 program. Stream 2 does not provide all requirements needed to certify?.**

More information can be found in the CLPPC Stream 2 Program Brochure.

In addition to fulfilling the Masters in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care program’s Admissions Requirements, please review the Stream 2 Application checklist.

An online application is required to be filled out through the School of Graduate Studies at McMaster University. Please visit the “How to Apply” section of the School of Graduate Studies for more information.

To begin the online application process, you will need to select the stream you are applying to so you can be directed to the appropriate page. Please refer to the application checklists for instructions.

Following successful submission of an online application, you will receive an email confirming that your application has been received by the department.

**Individuals interested in becoming a certified child life specialist (CCLS) should apply to our ACLP endorsed Stream 1 program. Stream 2 does not provide all requirements needed to certify.**

The Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care Program has a facilitated admission process for Indigenous applicants. In accordance with the Self-Identification policy of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) applicants who wish to apply through this process must complete the supplementary Self-identification Application. For information on the policy, application requirements and the online application please refer to the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge.

Consideration will be given to Stream 1 Indigenous applicants who do not have child life volunteer hours. Those Indigenous applicants who satisfy all other Stream 1admission requirements will be automatically invited to come for an interview. Interviews are not required for Stream 2 applicants. Indigenous applicants will be prioritized within this stream.