Child Life, BS

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This major prepares students for the psychosocial care of children and youth in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The program provides a strong teaching and learning component together with a core of specialized child life courses. Satisfactory completion of the major provides access to the profession of Child Life. The program and degree prepare the candidate for an entry level position in the field of Child Life. To become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), one year of successful employment and the successful completion of the Child Life Exam are required. The rotation of child life courses is based on the semester of enrollment in the Child Life Program. Students should consult with an advisor for the most current information.

Required Courses

ED 210 J - Infancy and Childhood Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 220 J - Adolescent Psychology Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 301 - Introduction to Child Life Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 302 I - Technology & Assess in Classroom Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 306 - Exceptional Children and Youth Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 308 - History of Child Life Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 311 - Wellness in Education Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 360 - Medical Terminology for Child Life Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 370 - Psychosocial Care Hspt Hospital Fam Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 372 - Materials Methods Play Child Life Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 375 - Pediatric Conditions & Research Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 376 - Loss Bereavement Trauma Child Life Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 418 - Experiencing Laughter & Play Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 475 3 - Child Life Internship Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 6

Selected Course

Choose one of the following options:

ED 384 - Lit for Chilhd to Adolsen Hlthcare Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
OR
ED 382 C - Lit for Mid Chld Thru Early Adlscnc Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
AND
ED 383 C - Lit for Early Adolesc Thru Adolesc Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3

Recommended Courses

ART 240 GU - Introduction to Art Therapy Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ECON 315 - Health Care Economics Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 2
ED 324 - The Helping Relationship Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3
ED 422 - Integ Arts/Laughter/Play Elem Curr Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 3

Policies and Transition Steps

Child Life majors should have the following:

CORE Test (or a minimum score of 23 on the ACT)
Admission to the Child Life Program prior to beginning of Junior year
100 hours of pre-internship practicum experiences
Must have a minimum of 3.0 grade point average to apply
Must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 throughout major program