Child Life (MS)

Program Chairperson: Leslie Anne Young
Program Includes: The Child Life Teaching Team

Program Length: 3 Years (including internship)

The Master of Science in Child Life prepares students to work with a special population: hospitalized children. Certified Child Life Specialists strive to educate and help children and their families cope with health care issues, thereby minimizing potential stress and anxiety for all.

Working with other health care professionals, Child Life Specialists empower children and adolescents to minimize anxiety, maintain relationships with their families, and retain their independence and self-esteem. The Child Life Specialist is a clinical educator who provides developmental coping and therapeutic interventions to help patients and families understand and cope with traumatic experiences, always respecting and honoring the family system and diversity. The inclusive program attracts diverse students from local, national, and international locations. Alumni are gainfully employed both nationally and globally. The comprehensive standalone program—including the Child Life core courses, eligibility assessment, clinical hospital internship, and eligibility to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination—is designed, implemented, and evaluated to meet the specific clinical and academic standards set forth by the National Association of Child Life Professionals.

The MS in Child Life curriculum consists of 36 total units and is typically completed in three (3) years of study. The program culminates with a graduate seminar. The University also has partnerships with more than 65 hospitals nationwide and several in Canada for child life practicums and internships; two internship experiences are included in the degree requirements. All Child Life courses are taught by Certified Child Life Specialists, and our teaching team has more than 60 years of combined hospital child life experience.

Program Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the program  under several circumstances, including but not limited to: academic dishonesty, academic disqualification, failure to maintain minimum academic standards, failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress, removal from a fieldwork placement, unethical or unprofessional conduct, failure of program activities measuring student competencies/or dispositions, circumstance interfering with training or well-being of others, and/or felony conviction.  Students dismissed from the program may not apply for readmission.

Admission Requirements for Child Life Masters

In addition to the requirements and application materials listed in the Graduate Admission section of this catalog, the following are required:

1. Completed Admission Application and application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended. A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred GPA of 3.0 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in any graduate work.
3. Two letters of recommendation: one from an individual who can comment on applicant’s ability to work with children, and the second from an individual who can comment on the applicant’s academic skills and ability to succeed in graduate school
4. A professional resume.
5. Statement of purpose (approximately 500 words) that includes 1) any personal or professional experiences and qualifications related to your field of study, 2) your perspective on the importance and role of cultural competence in child life and the health care environment, and 3) applicant’s motivation for seeking admission to the program
6. A individual interview (in person or virtually based on the location and availability).

Admissions Prerequisites

1. At least 15 semester hours or a minimum of 5 courses in Child Development or related fields approved by the M.S., Child Life Chairperson
2. 1 to 2 years of professional work experience with children in educational institutions or related institutions approved by the M.S., Child Life Chairperson.
3. A writing assessment with the chairperson

Child Life hospital volunteer experience is preferred.

Degree Requirements 

Total Program: 36 semester hours

Foundation/Prerequisite Courses

The foundation courses a student must fulfill is determined by the chairperson’s review of the student’s undergraduate coursework, professional work experience with children experience with children and the writing assessment. If foundation courses are needed, they must be among the first courses taken (unless approved by the chairperson).

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 350	Child Psychology and Development	4
EDUC 354P	Early Childhood Observation and Assessment Practicum	4
EDUC 451	Infant & Toddler Development & Pedagogy	4
EDUC 454P	Early Childhood Student Teaching	4
ASCD 550	Human Development	3
ASCD 551	Studies in Attachment	3
ASCD 558	Cognition and Brain Development	3
ASCL 599	Independent Study (Chairperson Approval Required)	1-4

Core Courses

33 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
ASCL 504	Research Methods	3
ASCL 530	Child Life Administration and Program Development	3
ASCL 530A	Multi-Cultural Family Centered Care Class	3
ASCL 530C	Outreach and Technology for Child Life Educators	3
ASCL 530H	Effects of Disease and Injury on the Hospitalized Child-Part A	3
ASCL 530I	Child Life Assessment, Preparation and Medical Terminology	3
ASCL 530M	Helping Children Cope in the Health Care and Medical Setting	3
ASCL 530S	Developmental Issues of Grieving	3
ASCL 530T	Pediatric Educational and Therapeutic Interventions	3
ASCL 553F	Child Life Internship I	3
ASCL 553P	Child Life Internship II	3
Total Semester Hours		33

Culminating Activity

3 semester hours

• ASCL 596 Advanced Studies in Child Life - Graduate Seminar