Academic Programs Offering Child Life Course

These programs are self-identified as offering a child life course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist. ACLP claims no responsibility for the academic quality of any course listed here. Listing here does not guarantee that a course will be approved unless otherwise noted.

To access the list of academic degree programs in child life, click here.

If you are looking for online education, please review the below thoroughly as many institutions offer both online and in-person courses.

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Alabama

Auburn University

Auburn, AL
Website: http://humsci.auburn.edu/hdfs/ugrad/program.php#clc
Department: Human Development & Family Studies
Contact: Amanda Newberry Butler, M.S., CCLS
Email: aln0002@auburn.edu
Phone: (334) 844-5132
Degree: Undergraduate - Human Development & Family Studies, with Child Life Concentration
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: 10 Required Courses; Undergraduate Program Endorsed
ACLP Endorsed: Yes
University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL
Website: www.ches.ua.edu/departments/hd/undergraduates/
Department: Human Devel. & Family Studies
Contact: Sherwood Burns-Nader, Ph.D., CCLS, Assistant Professor
Email: sburns@ches.ua.edu
Phone: (205) 348-6269
Degree: Undergraduate
Date of Origin: 1980

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Arizona

Arizona State University

Phoenix, AZ
Website: https://thesanfordschool.asu.edu/child-life
Department: T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics or School of Community Resources & Development
Contact: Academic advisors in either the T. Denny School of Social and Family Dynamics (SSFD) or School of Community Resources & Development (SCRD)
Phone: (480) 965-6978 (SSFD) or (602) 496-0550 (SCRD)
Degree: Undergraduate Degree with Certificate in Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Arizona Christian University

Phoenix, AZ
Website: https://arizonachristian.edu/academics/programs/family-studies/
Department: Family Studies
Contact: Rachel White, MA, Ph.D. Student, Contingent Faculty
Phone: N/A
Degree: Undergraduate - BA in Family Studies, Emphasis in Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Arkansas

Harding University

Searcy, AR
Website: www.harding.edu
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Contact: Brittany Blake, MS, CCLS
Email: bblake2@harding.edu
Phone: (501) 279-4680
Degree: Undergraduate - Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes
University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR
Website: http://www.uark.edu
Department: Dale Bumpers College
Contact: Rana Post, MBA, CCLS, CPST
Email: rlpost@uark.edu
Phone: (417) 730-7133
Degree: Human Development and Family Sciences
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, course is online
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes

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California

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.calstatela.edu
Contact: Liudmila Flores
Email:lflores@cslanet.calstatela.edu
Phone: (323) 343-6188
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved:
Research: CHDV 2000 Techniques for the Study of Children
Family Systems: CHDV 4300 Parent Child Development over the Family Life Cycle
California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA
Website: www.csus.edu

Contact: Ann Moylan, Ph.D., CCLS, CFLE

Email: moylan@csus.edu

Phone: (916) 278-6393

Distance Learning Opportunities: No

Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes(Summer semester only)
Courses Pre-Approved: None
San Diego State University

San Diego, CA
Website: http://go.sdsu.edu/education/cfd/Default.asp
Contact: Lisa Beltran, M.S., CCLS
Email: Lbeltran@mail.sdsu.edu
Phone: (619) 594-5380
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA
Website: www.apu.edu/childlife
Department: Psychology
Contact: Charity Vasquez, MS., CCLS, Program Director, Assistant Professor
Email: cvasquez@apu.edu
Phone: (626) 857-2237
Degree: MS in Child Life and BA in Psychology with Child Life Concentration

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA
Website: http://childlifespecialist.llu.edu
Department: Counseling and Family Sciences
Contact: Michelle Minyard-Widmann, M.S., CCLS, Program Director and Assistant Professor
Email: maminyard@llu.edu
Phone: (909) 558-4547 x 47072
Degree: Masters - Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes
Mills College

Oakland, CA
Website: www.Mills.edu
Department: Education
Contact: Linda Perez, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Clinical Licensed Psychologist
Email: lmperez@mills.edu
Phone: (510) 430-2328; (510) 430-3190
Degree: Undergraduate and Graduate - Child Life
Date of Origin: 1978

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
UC Santa Barbara Extension

Santa Barbara, CA
Website: http://ucsb.pro/childlife
Contact: Sofia Muller
Email: help@extension.ucsb.edu
Phone: (805) 893-4200
Degree: Certificate in Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: EDX370.2 Child Life: Introduction to Theory and Practice
Child Development (both courses must be taken to meet the requirement): ED X370.10 Child Development Birth to 18 years, ED X370.19 Early Child Development Birth to Five
Family Systems: ED X370.12 Family Systems: Child, Family and Community
Play: ED X370.3 Therapeutic Role of Play in Pediatric Care
Loss and Bereavement: ED X370.4 Death, Dying & Grief in Pediatric Care
Research: EDX370.14 Introduction to Research
Additional 3 Courses: ED X370.5 Assessment, Preparation and Medical Terminology, ED X370.15 Child Life & Trauma, ED X370.17 Child Development: Challenges in Global Maternal and Child, ED X370.18 Child Life in Non-Traditional Settings: Beyond the Hospital, ED X370.20 Health Care Ethics, ED X370.21 Adolescent Development
University of La Verne

La Verne, CA
Website: http://www.ulv.edu/
Department: Education
Contact: Leslie Ann Young, CCLS
Email: lyoung@laverne.edu
Phone: (909) 593-3511 x 4640
Degree: Graduate - Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA
Website: http://hhd.fullerton.edu/cas/
Contact: Katherine Bono, Ph.D., Department Chair
Email: kbono@fullerton.edu
Phone: (657) 278-8458
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Child Life Course: CAS328 Child Life Theory and Practice
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Colorado

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO
Website: http://www.hdfs.chhs.colostate.edu/
Contact: HDFS Advising Office
Email: CHHS-HDFS_Advising@mail.colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-4947

Distance Learning Opportunities:
HDFS 404 – Child Life Theory and Practice (offered through CSU Online, typically in fall and summer semesters). Class available to non-matriculating students: With verified prerequisite of child development course; Practicum in Child Life available only to matriculating students; No Child Life internship opportunities available.
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Connecticut

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, CT
Website: http://southernct.edu/
Contact: Jim MacGregor, Ed.D., Department Chairperson, or Anita Trombley, M.S., ME.d., CCLS, Course Instructor
Email: Macgregorj1@southernct.edu or anita.trombley@ynhh.org
Phone: (203) 392-6385

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Florida

Nova Southeastern University

Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Website: http://www.nova.edu/humanservices/devdisabilities/curriculum.html
Department: Institute for the Study of Human Service, Health and Justice
Contact: Donna Hillier, Psy.D., Director of Academics
Email: donna.hillier@nova.edu
Phone: (954) 262-7264
Degree: MS in Developmental Disabilities, Child Life Specialist Concentration

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Georgia

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA
Website: www.georgiasouthern.edu
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Contact: Jerri Kropp, Ph.D.
Email: jkropp@georgiasouthern.edu
Phone: (912) 681-5537 or (912) 681-5809
Degree: Undergraduate - Child & Family Development
Date of Origin: 1993

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Georgia

Athens, GA
Website: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs/graduate-programs-m.s.-child-life
Department: Human Development & Family Science
Contact: Diane Bales, Ph.D., Child Life Director
Email: dbales@uga.edu
Phone: (706) 542-7566
Degree:
1. Master's in Child Life
2. Dual-Degree Program: Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Science and Master's in Child Life
Date of Origin: 1980

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Family Systems: HDFS/SOCI 4610E Sociology of the Family

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Illinois

Erikson Institute

Chicago, IL
Website: www.erikson.edu
Department: Child Development
Contact: Samina Hadi-Tabassum, Ed.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Child Life Specialist Program

Email: shaditabassum@erikson.edu
Phone: (312) 893-7187
Degree: Graduate - Child Development with Child Life Concentration

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Illinois State

Normal, IL
Website: http://fcs.illinoisstate.edu/
Department: Family and Consumer Science
Contact: Keri Edwards, M.S., CCLS, CPST, CIMI, Child Life Program Director
Email: kledwar@ilstu.edu
Phone: (309) 438-2648
Degree: Undergraduate - BS in Family and Consumer Sciences in Human Development Sequence and Graduate – MS in Family and Consumer Sciences with Child Life Concentration

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Urbana, IL
Website: www.uiuc.edu
Department: Human Development & Family Services
Contact: Emily Hurth, CCLS
Email: ehurth@illinois.edu
Degree: Undergraduate in Human Development and Family Services

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, IL
Website: fcns@niu.edu
Contact: Kathleen Wallensack, ME.d., CCLS
Email: kmwallensack@msn.com
Phone: (630) 254-5524
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Indiana

Ball State University

Muncie, IN
Website: bsu.edu/childandfamily
Department: Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies
Contact: Robin Box, M.A., Family and Child Program Director, Assistant Professor
Email: rbox@bsu.edu
Phone: (765) 285-4066
Degree: Undergraduate – Family and Child: Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class Available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Indiana Wesleyan University

Marion, IN
Website: https://www.indwes.edu
Department: Division of Behavioral Sciences
Contact:
Betsye Robinette, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Lesley Barton, MA, ATR, CCLS, DT, Adjunct Instructor of Child Life and Art Therapy
Email: betsye.robinette@indwes.edu
lesley.barton@indwes.edu
Phone: (866) 468-6498
Degree: child life class offered yearly
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class Available to non-matriculating students: NA
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Iowa

The University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA
Website: https://clas.uiowa.edu/hhp/graduate/ms/child-life
Department: Health and Human Physiology
Contact: Emily Mozena, M.A., CCLS, CTRS
Email: emily-mozena@uiowa.edu
Phone: (319) 335-3822
Degree: MS in Health & Human Physiology Sub-Track Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, One Class Available
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes

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Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY
Website: http://nkuonline.nku.edu/smartcatalog/hsr-547-children-and-families-in-health-care-3-credits.htm
Contact: Lynn Sanner, M.A., CCLS, Instructor
Email: admitnku@nku.edu
Phone: (859) 572-5220
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes (hybrid course)
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Louisiana

Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, LA
Website: www.southeastern.edu/childlife
Department: Health and Human Sciences
Contact: Holly Kihm, Ph.D., CCLS, CFLE, Program Coordinator
Email: ho lly.kihm@selu.edu
Phone: 985-549-5693
Degree: Undergraduate - BS, Family and Consumer Science with a concentration in Child Life and Graduate - MS, Child Life (100% Online)
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, Graduate Program is 100% Online
Class Available to Non-Matriculating Students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved:

Online: FCS 320: Infant Development; FCS 322: Adolescent Development; FCS 441: Family Relations; FCS 324: Theory and Guidance of Play; FCS 412: Family Stress and Coping; FCS 326: Child Life Practicum; Child Life 404: Child Life Theory and Family-Centered Care; Child Life 602: Developmental Perspectives on Illness and Health; Child Life 608: Family Dynamics and Psychosocial Interventions; Child Life 622: Practicum; Child Life 624: Child Life Internship; Child Life 628: Child Life Administration and Program Development

In-Class: FCS 321: Child Development; FCS 325: Introduction to Child Life; FCS 328: Advanced Child Life
Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, LA
Website: http://www.latech.edu/ans/human-ecology/
Department: Human Ecology
Contact: Anita H. Pumphrey, CCLS, Instructor
Email: apumphrey@latech.edu
Phone: (318) 257-4517
Degree: Undergraduate
Date of Origin: 1990

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, LA
Website: https://www.lsu.edu/chse/socialwork/academics/child-family-studies-bs.php
Department: Child and Family Studies
Contact: Brittany Wittenberg, Ph.D., CCLS, CFLE
Email: bwittenberg@lsu.edu
Phone: 225-578-0908
Degree: Undergraduate
Date of Origin: 2018

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: SW4070 Special Topics in Social Work: Child Life Theory and Practice

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Maryland

Towson University

Towson, MD
Website: http://www.towson.edu/
Contact: Lisa A. Martinelli Beasely, Clinical Associate Professor
Email:lmartinelli@towson.edu
Phone: (410) 704-3766
Degree: Family & Human Services B.S./Child Life, Administration & Family Collaboration M.S.
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Endorsed: Yes

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Massachusetts

BU/Wheelock College

Boston, MA
Website: http://bu.edu/wheelock
Contact: Paul Thayer, Clinical Associate Professor and Claire White, Clinical Instructor, Co-Program Directors, Child Life
Email: pthayer@bu.edu, cmwhite@bu.edu
Phone: 617-353-1420, 617-353-1448
Degree: MS, Child Life and Family Centered Care
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Date of Origin: 1972
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes

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Michigan

Central Michigan University

Mt. Pleasant, MI
Website: www.cmich.edu
Contact: Pam Sarigiani, Ph.D., Professor, Child Development
Email: sarig1pa@cmich.edu
Phone: 989-774-6451
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved:
Child Life Course: HDF 404: Children and Hospitalization
Concordia University-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI
Website: https://www.cuaa.edu/programs/familylife/index.html
Department: Family Life
Contact: Jennifer Fieten, CFLE, Child Life Concentration Coordinator
Email: jennifer.fieten@cuaa.edu
Phone: (734) 995-7426
Degree: Undergraduate - Family Life with Child Life Concentration

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

Website: www.wmich.edu

Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Contact: Bethany Folsom, MS, CCLS Adjunct Professor
Email: bethanyfolsom9@hotmail.com
Phone: ??
Degree: Graduate - concentration in child life

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI

Website: http://catalog.ferris.edu/catalog/2017-2018/program/5478

Department: Education
Contact: Dr. Liza Ing, School of Education Director
Email: lizaing@ferris.edu
Phone: 231-591-5362
Degree: BS in Early Childhood Education with Child Life Concentration

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Available upon request
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Aquinas College

Grand Rapids, MI
Website: https://www.aquinas.edu/psychology/degrees/child-life-specialist-concentration-within-psychology-major
Department: Psychology
Contact: Amy Davis, CCLS
Email: ald007@aquinas.edu
Degree: Undergraduate – Child Life Concentration within the Psychology Major

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Minnesota

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, MN
Website: www.dctc.edu
Contact: Dawn Braa, M.A., ECYD Instructor
Email: dawn.braa@dctc.edu
Phone: (877) 937-3282 ext. 8315
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN
Program/Department Website:http://z.umn.edu/ICDMA
Contact: Sarah Wiebler, MS, CCLS
Email:grab0099@umn.edu
Phone: 612.626.2259
Degree Offered: Online graduate degree in Applied Child and Adolescent Development with concentration in Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes - undergraduate child life course only (Undergraduate contact: cpsyadvis@umn.edu)
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes

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Mississippi

Mississippi State University

Starkville, MS
Website: http://www.humansci.msstate.edu/students/human_science.asp
Department: Human Sciences
Contact: Julie C. Parker, Ph.D., CCLS

Email: jparker@humansci.msstate.edu
Phone: 662-325-0828
Degree: Undergraduate - Human Development & Family Studies with Child Life Concentration

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Missouri

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO
Website: http://hdfs.missouri.edu/
Contact: Nora Hager, M.A., CCLS, Child Life Program Coordinator and Instructor
Email: hagern@missouri.edu
Phone: ???
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Missouri State University

Springfield, MO
Website: http://education.missouristate.edu/childlifestudies/
Department: Childhood Education and Family Studies
Contact: Dr. Lindsey Murphy, PhD, CCLS
Email: LindsayMurphy@MissouriState.edu
Phone: (417) 836-4492
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes (100% Online)
Class available to non-matriculating students: No

Degree: Graduate – M.S. in Child Life Studies, and Undergraduate – B.S. in Child and Family Development with Child Life Option
Date of Origin: Graduate – 2016, Undergraduate – 2006
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Nebraska

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, NE
Website: http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/nondegreeseeking.htm
Contact: Debbie Wagers, MHA, CCLS
Email: dwagers@nebraskamed.com
Phone: 402-559-6397
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire

Durham, NH
Website: https://chhs.unh.edu/hdfs/child-life-minor-new-requirements-2018
Department: Human Development and Family Studies
Contact: Trish Cox, M.S.Ed, MSW, CCLS, Assistant Clinical Faculty and Kerry Kazura, Ph.D., Department Chair & Associate Professor
Email: trish.cox@unh.edu, Kerry.kazura@unh.edu
Phone: (603) 686-1853, (603) 862-2135
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: Undergraduate minor - Child Life Minor offered by the Department of Family Studies, must be matriculated at UNH to do minor.
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Research: SW 601: Research Methods
Child Life Course: HDFS 565: Introduction to Child Life
Loss and Bereavement: NURS 535: Death and Dying
Child Development: HDFS 623 DEVELOPMENTAL PERSPECTIVES ON INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD, HDFS 624: Developmental Perspectives on Adolescence and Early Adulthood
Family Systems: HDFS: 641 Parenting Across the Lifespan
Additional 3 Courses: HDFS 697: Intensive Child Life Design and Programming, HDFS 709 Advanced Child Development Practicum, HDFS 734 Curriculum for Young Children

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New York

Bank Street College

New York, NY
Website: www.bankstreet.edu
Department: Education
Contact: Troy Pinkney-Ragsdale, Director of Child Life Program
Email: tpinkney@bankstreet.edu
Phone: (212) 875-4473

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: Graduate - Child Life (Online Program Began Fall 2015
Date of Origin: 1988
Courses Pre-Approved:
-Child Life Course: EDUC 821: Child Life in Healthcare Setting: A Family Centered Care Approach
-Child Development (both courses must be taken in order to fulfill th requirement): EDUC 500: Child Development, EDUC 503 Development: Adolescence through Emerging Adulthood
-Family Systems: EDUC 832: Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Families and Ethica Issues in Child Life Practice
-Play: EDUC 829: Therapeutic Play Techniques for Child Life Specialists
-Loss and Bereavement: EDUC 828 Loss in Children's Lives: Implications for Hospital, Home and School
-Research: EDUC 830: Research for Child Life Specialists
-Additional 3 Courses: EDUC 621: Documentation for Child Life Specialists, EDUC 822: Children with Special Health Care Needs: In the Hospital at Home and in School, EDUC 826: Medical Aspects of Illness: A Child Life Perspective
Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY
Website: http://falk.syr.edu/ChildFamilyStudies/Undergraduate.aspx
Department: Child and Family Studies
Contact: Robert Moreno, Ph.D., Department Chair
Email: rmoreno@syr.edu
Phone: (315) 443-1715

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: B.S. - Child and Family Studies with a specialization in Child Life
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes
Utica College

Utica, NY
Website: https://www.utica.edu/academics/programs/psychology-child-life
Contact: Melissa Racioppa, MS, CCLS
Email: mjraciop@utica.edu
Phone: 315-792-3006
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: Undergraduate
Date of Origin: 1978
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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North Carolina

University of North Carolina-Charlotte

Charlotte, NC
Website: www.uncc.edu
Contact: JaneDiane Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Special Education & Child Development
Email: jdianesm@uncc.edu
Phone: 704-687-8850
Distance Learning Opportunities: ?
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Meredith College

Raleigh, NC
Website: www.meredith.edu
Contact: Pamela Linton Norcross, PhD, CCLS; Assistant Professor Child Development
Email: plnorcross@meredith.edu
Phone: 919-760-2357
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Wilmington, NC

Website: www.uncw.edu
Contact: Sara Miller, M.S., CCLS, LRT/CTRS - Lecturer
Email: millersm@uncw.edu
Phone: (910) 962-7901
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
Website: www.ecu.edu
Contact: Dr. Sandra Triebenbacher, Child Life Program Coordinator
Email: triebenbachers@ecu.edu
Phone: (252) 328-1336
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No

Degree: Undergraduate and Graduate - Child Development & Family Relations with a Specialization in Child Life
Date of Origin: 1990
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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North Dakota

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Ohio

Miami University

Oxford, OH
Website:http://miamioh.edu/ehs/academics/departments/fsw/
Contact: Dr. Elise Radina, Professor and Department Chair
Email:radiname@miamioh.edu
Phone: 513-529-2323
Distance Learning Opportunities: Core courses are available online. Concentration courses are in person.
Class available to non-matriculating students: yes
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Family Science with Child Life concentration
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Development (both courses must be taken to meet the requirement): FSW 245- Children & Families Ages 0-12, FSW-481 Adolescent Development
Research: FSW 295: Research and Evaluation Methods
Family Systems: FSW 261: Diverse Family Systems Across the Life Cycle
Play: FSW 445/545 Therapeutic Play
Child Life Course: FSW 318 Child Life Theory and Practice
Death and Dying: SOC/FSW 435/535 – Death Studies
Ohio University

Athens, OH
Website: http://www.ohio.edu/chsp/sph/academics/cfs.cfm
Contact: Dr. Jenny Chabot, CCLS, Associate Professor, Child & Family Studies/Child Life
Email: chabot@ohio.edu
Phone: (740) 593-2871
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No

Degree: Undergraduate and Graduate - Child and Family Studies with Concentration in Child Life
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Oklahoma

University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond, OK

Website: http://sites.uco.edu/ceps/dept/Professional-Studies-Programs/hes/index.asp

Department: Human Environmental Sciences

Contact: Erin Bailey, MA, CCLS Adjunct Instructor; Dr. Kaye Sears Department Chair

Email: ebailey9@uco.edu or ksears@uco.edu

Distance Learning Opportunities: no

Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Family Life Education; Master of Science in Family and Child Studies

Courses pre-approved: None
Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK
Website: http://education.okstate.edu/index.php/leisure-studies-tr-overview
Department: Applied Health & Education Psychology
Contact: Tim Passmore, Ed.D., CTRS, Associate Professor
Email: tim.passmore@okstate.edu
Phone: (405) 744-1811

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: Undergraduate - Leisure Studies-Therapeutic Recreation with concentration in Child Life Therapy
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Ontario (Canada)

McMaster University

Hamilton, ON
Website: https://childlife.mcmaster.ca/
Department: Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences
Contact: Cathy Humphreys, Assistant Dean
Email: humphrc@mcmaster.ca
Phone: (905) 525-9140 x 22795
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, blended program with online and in-person residency courses.
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: Masters of Science, Child Life & Pediatric Psychosocial Care; Stream 1 (Entry to Child Life Practice); Stream 2 (Advanced Skills in Pediatric Psychosocial Care)
Date of Origin: 1989
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes

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Oregon

Portland State University

Portland, OR
Website: http://www.pdx.edu/ssw/child-and-family-studies
Contact: Jana Meinhold
Email: meinhold@pdx.edu
Phone: ???
Distance Learning Opportunities: Hybrid course - half in classroom, half online
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Pennsylvania

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA
Website: http://chpsw.temple.edu/rs/therapeutic-recreation
Contact: Heather Burket, Ed.M., CTRS, CCLS
Email: hburket@temple.edu
Phone: 215-204-3947
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Messiah College

Mechanicsburg, PA
Website: http://www.messiah.edu/departments/family/academic_programs/programs/hdfs.html

Contact: Joan McGeary, M.S., CCLS, Adjunct Instructor, Human Development and Family Science
Email: jmcgeary@messiah.edu
Phone: 717-766-2511 x. 2850 (Dr. Raeann R. Hamon, Chair of HDFS Dept.)

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes (Summer Sessions Only)

Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA
Website: http://www.education.pitt.edu/adp/
Department: Applied Developmental Psychology
Contact: Robert Gallen, Ph.D.
Email: robert.gallen@pitt.edu
Phone: (412) 780-0462

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, some courses available online or in hybrid formats
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: B.S. in Applied Developmental Psychology with Child Life Option
M.S. in Applied Developmental Psychology with Child Life Concentration
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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South Carolina

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC

Website: http://www.cofc.edu/academics/graduate-degree-progs/graduatedegreeslist/child-life.php
Department: Child Life

Contact: Susan J. Simonian, Ph.D., ABPP
Phone: (843) 953-8271

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: M.S. - Child Life
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Columbia College

Columbia, SC

Website: www.columbiasc.edu
Department: Child and Family Studies / Child Life
Contact: Dr. Joyce Fields

Email: jfields@columbiasc.edu
Phone: 803-786-3688

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: B.A. - Child & Family Studies with Child Life Emphasis
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Tennessee

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN
Website: https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/psych/med_in_child_studies/
Department: Psychology and Human Development
Contact: Vicki Harris, PhD, program coordinator
Email: vicki.s.harris@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-1896
Degree: M.Ed. - Applied Child Studies with Pediatrics Healthcare Concentration
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN
Website: www.lipscomb.edu
Contact: Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS
Email: jcboles@lipscomb.edu
Phone: (901) 300-0519
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN
Website: www.TNtech.edu
Contact: Cara Sisk, PhD, CCLS, Child Life Program Director & Instructor
Email: csisk@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-6017
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: B.S. - Human Ecology with Child Life Concentration
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes
Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN
Website: http://www.mtsu.edu
Department: Child Development and Family Studies
Contact: Jaime E. Bruce, DrPH, CCLS
Email: jcboles@lipscomb.edu
Phone: (615) 898-2300
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: by instructor permission

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Texas

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX

Website: www.tarleton.edu
Contact: Kimberlee Spencer, Ph.D.
Email: spencer@tarleton.edu
Phone: (512) 245-9196
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX
Website: www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/
Contact: Gwendolyn Gerber, M.S., CCLS
Email: Gwendolyn.Gerber@ttu.edu
Phone: ???
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Houston

Houston, TX
Website: www.coe.uh.edu
Contact: Zoe McCoy, ME.d., CCLS, CIMI

Email: zomccoy@gmail.com
Phone: (713) 743-9830
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes, with consent from the instructor
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX
Website: www.utexas.edu
Contact: Farya Phillips, Ph.D., CCLS

Email: farya@utexas.edu
Phone: ???
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Texas State University- San Marcos

San Marcos, TX
Website: http://www.txstate.edu/
Department: School of Family and Consumer Sciences
Contact: Farya Phillips, Ph.D., CCLS
Email: F_p30@txstate.edu
Phone: (512) 245-2401

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: Graduate - Family and Child Studies with Graduate Child Life Track
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX
Website: www.twu.edu
Department: College of Professional Education, Department of Family Sciences
Contact: Elizabeth McCarroll, Ph.D., CCLS Child Life Advisor and Coordinator
Email: emccarroll@twu.edu
Phone: 940-898-2686

Distance Learning Opportunities: Online section coming soon
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: Bachelor and Master degrees in child development with a child life track (face-to-face) and Master of Science in Child Life (100% online)
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX
Website: https://child.tcu.edu
Department: Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, Psychology Department
Contact: Casey Call, Ph.D., Assistant Director
Email: c.d.call@tcu.edu
Phone: (817) 257-7415
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Degree: Undergraduate – Child Development, BA or BS
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: CHDV 40223:Fundamentals of Child Life Practice
Research Course: PSYC 30503: Behavioral Research
Family Systems: Marriage and Family - SOCI 30303
University of North Texas

Denton, TX
Website: https://www.unt.edu
Department: Department of Educational Psychology
Contact: Cynthia A. Frosch, Ph.D., IMH-E® (Infant Mental Health Mentor), Research
Assistant Professor
Email: Cynthia.Frosch@unt.edu
Phone: (940) 369-8369
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Degree: Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Science and a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Learning and Development
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Abilene Christian University

Abilene, TX
Website: www.acu.edu
Contact: Heidi Morris
Email: hwm97t@acu.edu
Phone: 325-674-2000
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: FAM 325: Child Life
Child Development Courses: FAM 275: Child Development Ages 0-11, FAM 280: Child Development 12-28
Family Systems: Fam 362: Families in Society
Play: Fam 440: Therapeutic Play
Loss/Bereavement: FAM 440.01 Death and Bereavement
Research: FAM 440: Research Methods in Child and Family Services
Additional 3 Courses: BIOL 291: Anatomy and Physiology 1, BIBP 352: Biomedical Ethics, KINE 302.01 Medical Terminology
Baylor University

Waco, TX
Website: www.baylor.edu/chhs/
Department: Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Contact: Nicole McAninch, PhD, Division Leader for Child and Family Studies
Email: nicole_mcaninch@baylor.edu
Phone: 254-744-6367
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Utah

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT
Website: https://familylife.byu.edu/Pages/Home.aspx
Department: School of Family Life
Contact: Debbie Hema, M.S., CCLS, Instructor
Email: debbiehema@gmail.com
Phone: ??

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: B.S. - Human Development
Date of Origin: 2014
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT
Website: www.fcs.utah.edu/undergrad/clp/
Department: Family & Consumer Studies
Contact: Jenny Stout, Academic Advisor
Email: jenny.stout@fcs.utah.edu
Phone: (801) 581-4431

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: Undergraduate, Graduate
Date of Origin: 1989
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Weber State University

Ogden, UT
Website: https://www.weber.edu/chfam/
Department: Child and Family Studies
Contact: Darcy Gregg. MEd, CFLE, Senior Academic Advisor
Email: dgregg@weber.edu
Phone: (801) 626-6411
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: Undergraduate, Graduate
Date of Origin: 2012
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Washington

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA
Website: https://www.cwu.edu/family-consumer/child-life
Department: Family & Consumer Sciences
Contact: Amy Claridge, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Family and Child Life Director
Email: claridgea@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-2758
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: B.S. - Family and Child Life, Child Life Specialization; M.S. - Family and Child Life
Courses Pre-Approved: None
ACLP Endorsed: Yes
Eastern Washington University

Cheney, WA
Website: http://www.ewu.edu/csbssw/programs/childrens-studies.xml
Department: Children's Studies
Contact: Katie Riley, CCLS (On Campus)
Email: kriley4@ewu.edu
Phone: (509) 359-4549
Contact: Belinda Hammond, CCLS (Online Courses)
Email: bhammond4@ewu.edu

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: B.A. - Children's Studies, Child Life Track
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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Wisconsin

Concordia University

Mequon, WI
Website: http://cuw.edu
Contact: Emily Kittell, M.S., CCLS, Adjunct Professor
Email: Emily.Kittell@cuw.edu
Phone: ???
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Eau Claire, WI

Website: www.uwec.edu
Contact: Jessica Wasko, M.S.-Ed., CCLS, Child Life Instructor
Email: waskoj@uwec.edu
Phone: (515) 890-7194
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
University of Wisconsin-Superior

Superior, WI
Website: www.uwsuper.edu
Contact: Jim Geidner, Ph.D.
Email: jgeidner@uwsuper.edu
Phone: (715) 395-4690
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Edgewood College

Madison, WI
Website: www.edgewood.edu
Department: Education/Child Life
Contact: Dr. Katie Glass, CCLS, Child Life Director/Professor
Email: KGlass@edgewood.edu
Phone: (608) 663-4433
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: Bachelors of Science: Child Life and/or Masters of Science: Child Life
Date of Origin: 1972
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Endorsed Program: Yes
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, WI
Website:http://www.uwsp.edu/fcs
Contact: Becky Konietzki, Academic and Career Advisor
Email:Becky.Konietzki@uwsp.edu
Phone: (715) 346-3233
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: Undergraduate - Child Life and Family Studies
Date of Origin: 2018
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: HD 490/690 Workshop in Human Development: Child Life
Child Development (all courses must be taken in order to fulfill the requirement): HD 362/562 Middle Childhood Development, HD 363/563 Development of the Preschool Child, HD 364/564 Infant Development and Programming, HD 466/666 Development and Guidance of Children & Adolescents
Family Systems: HD 367/567: Intentional Intimacy and Family Systems
Play: HD 455/655: Child Life and Therapeutic Play
Research: HS 360: Research Design & Methods for Health Sciences
Loss and Bereavement: HPW 465/665 Grief and Loss
Additional 3 Courses: Biology 287: Essentials of Human Anatomy, HS 295: Medical Terminology, Phil 302: Medical Ethics

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Online Only

American Public University

Website: http://apu.apus.edu

Department: Human Development & Family Studies

Contact name: Kathleen Mangeri

Email: kmangeri@apus.edu

Phone: (304) 224-5813

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: B.A. Human Development & Family Studies, M.A. Psychology
Courses Pre-Approved: None

Academic Programs Offering Child Life Course

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Florida

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Illinois

Indiana

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North Carolina

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Ontario (Canada)

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Washington

Wisconsin

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