Carissa Howard, MS, CCLS

Assistant Professor, Department of Child Life

Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 0263

Email: [email protected]

Carissa Howard, MS, CCLS, has worked in the field of child life since 2004. Her first job was in a child life program for a pediatric subacute unit; from there she completed an MS in Child Life at Loma Linda University and spent more than 10 years at a large children’s hospital in Southern California. Howard worked as a child life specialist in a level 1 pediatric emergency department for 9 years, helping children and their families cope through accidents, trauma, and loss, and at a pediatric palliative care program providing therapeutic activities, sensory play, and legacy building for patients and their families. Throughout her career in child life, she has provided supervision and mentoring for countless child life students and interns as they complete their degrees and training.

Education

• MaEd, Educational and Clinical Counseling, Azusa Pacific University, 2025
• MS, Child Life Specialist, Loma Linda University, 2008
• BS, Sociology, Azusa Pacific University, 2002

Credentials/Certifications

• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
• Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC)
• People and Personal Services Credential (PPS)

Academic Area

• School of Health Sciences

Courses Taught

• PCLS 501 – Advanced Child Development
• PCLS 502 – Applied Child Development and Medical Terminology
• PCLS 511 – Family Systems Theory and Applications
• PCLS 512 – Theories and Practices of Grief and Loss
• PCLS 520 – Infants and Toddlers: Development and Interventions
• PCLS 521 – Introduction to Child Life
• PCLS 522 – Therapeutic Interventions and Play-Based Techniques
• PCLS 523 – Adaptive Coping Strategies
• PCLS 524 – Adolescent Development and Interventions
• PCLS 525 – Assessment and Documentation
• PCLS 527 – Supporting Children with Special Needs in the Healthcare System
• PCLS 531 – Ethics, Cultural Humility, and Professional Practice
• PCLS 542 – Practicum in Child Life
• PCLS 543 – Internship in Child Life