Child Life Major Requirements

This major prepares students for the psycho-social 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 is required.

The rotation of child life courses is based on the semester of enrollment in the Child Life program. Please consult with an advisor in Child Life for the most current information.

I. FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION

• ENG 110 College Writing
• MATH 101
• COMMS 101 Speech
• PHIL 101 Logic: Critical Thinking
• Computer Competency (determined by major)
• Foreign Language (a two semester sequence is required)

For a B.S., at least 6 credits in one language; for a B.A., 16 credits in one language, or 14 credits in one and 8 in a second. High school coursework may fulfill the requirement, but credit is not given unless the student wishes to earn retroactive credit; see the college catalogue for policies.

II. FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN LEARNING

• An F1 course in literature (Pre-req is ENG 110 College Writing)
• An F2 course in history and appreciation of one of the fine arts
• An F3 studio experience course in one of the fine arts
• An F4 course in social science: economics, political science, psychology, sociology: PS 262
• An F5 sequence of two courses in one of the natural sciences, including experimental lab: NATS 106/107
• An F6 course in history
• An F7 course in philosophy other than PHIL 101 (Pre-req is PHIL 101 Logic): ED 271
• An F8 course in religious studies

III. HUMAN ISSUES STUDY

• Human Issues Seminar (3-4 credits) or
• Independent study on a Human Issues topic of the student’s choosing (min. 3 credits)

IV. MAJOR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1. Course requirements for the major:
   • ED 210 Infancy and Childhood
   • ED 211 Health Education
   • ED 220 Preadolescence, Adolescence and Young Adulthood
   • ED 302 Instructional Resources and Media
   • ED 301 Introduction to Child Life
   • ED 306 Exceptional Children and Youth
   • ED 324 The Helping Relationship
   • ED 337 Topics in Early Childhood Education
   • ED 360 Medical Terminology for Child Life
   • ED 370 Psychosocial Care of Hospitalized Children and Adolescents
   • ED 372 Materials and Methodology for Child Life
   • ED 375 Pediatric Conditions
   • ED 376 Crisis Intervention in Child Life
   • ED 382 Literature for Middle Childhood through Adolescence
   • ED 383 Literature for Adolescence through Young Adulthood
   • ED 475 Child Life Field Experience
      

Recommended courses: ART 240 Introduction to Art Therapy, BUS 302 Management of Human Performance and ECON 315 Health Care Economics.

2. Transition Steps
   • PRAXIS I
   • Admission to the Child Life program
   • Admission to Child Life internship
   • 100 hours of pre-internship practicum experiences
   • Exit GPA

Also Required: A minimum of 120 credits & a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0. Some majors may require more credits and a higher GPA for completion of the degree.