Academic Programs Offering Child Life Course

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, Graduate - Masters of Science in Child Life

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: 10 Required Courses; Undergraduate Program Endorsed
ACLP Endorsed: Yes

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

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

Phoenix, AZ
Website: https://arizonachristian.edu/academics/programs/family-studies/
Department: Family Studies
Contact: Carolyn Pela, PhD, LMFT, CFLE
Phone: 602-489-5300
Email: Carolyn.Pela@arizonachristian.edu
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

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

 

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

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

Website: www.csus.edu

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, 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
ACLP Endorsed: Yes

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

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

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:
-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 

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

Fullerton, CA
Website: http://hhd.fullerton.edu/cas/ 
Contact: Katherine Bono, Ph.D., Department Chair
Email: casdepartment@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

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

New Haven, CT
Website: http://southernct.edu/ 
Contact: Jim MacGregor, Ed.D., Department Chairperson, or Victoria Isaacson, CCLS, NCC, Course Instructor
Email: Macgregorj1@southernct.edu or isaacsonv1@southernct.edu
Phone: (203) 392-6385
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Department: Fischler College of Education
Contact: Emmy Maurilus, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Email: em986@nova.edu
Phone: (954) 262-6922

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes

Degree: MS in Developmental Disabilities, Child Life Specialist Concentration
Website: http://www.nova.edu/humanservices/devdisabilities/curriculum.html

Child Life Course: HSDD 5510 foundations of child life and family centered care
Family Systems: HSDD 5518 Family Systems and the Hospitalized Child 
Death and Dying: HSDD 5534 Death and Dying
Child Development:  HSDD 5522 Theories of Child Growth and Development, HSDD 5523 Theories of Adolescent Growth and Development (both courses must be taken to meet the requirement)
Play: HSDD 5532 Therapeutic Benefits of Play
Additional 3: HSDD 5515 Ethics in Child Life, HSDD 5530 Interventions in Child Life, HSDD 5525 Medial Terminology for the Child Life Professional  
Research: HSDD 5100 Program Design & Evaluation

Degree: BS in Child Development, Child Life Concentration
Website: https://education.nova.edu/degrees/bachelors/child-development/index.html 

Child Life Course: ECDP 3510 Foundations in Child Life and Family Centered Care
Family Systems: ECDP 4518 Family Systems 
Death and Dying: HUMN 4100 Death Dying
Child Development:  ECDP 3321 Infant and Toddler Development , ECDP 3334 Preschool, Primary, and Middle Development, EECP 3351 Adolescent Development  (three courses must be taken to meet the requirement)
Play: ECDP 4367 Play and Children Curricular Applications
Additional 3: HS 3300 Ethical and Professional Issues in Human Services, EDEC 4320 Cultural Perspectives in Working with Children and Families, ECDP 3341 Child and Adolescent Mental Health, EDEC 2405 Supporting Children and Adolescents with Special Needs
Research: ECDP 4510 Research Methods and Program Evaluation

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

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. Joint Undergraduate Child Life Program with Augusta University
Date of Origin: 1980

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

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

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

DeKalb, IL
Website: https://www.chhs.niu.edu/facs/programs/human-development
Department: Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS)
Contact: Stephanie Lipira, MS, CCLS
Email: slipira1@niu.edu
Phone: None
Degree: Undergraduate and Graduate in Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS)
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class Available to Non-Matriculating Students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

Eureka, IL
Website: https://www.eureka.edu/academics/find-your-major/profile/child-life-specialist
Department: Social Science
Contact: Austin Blair, Director of Admissions
Email: ablair@eureka.edu
Phone: (309) 467-6678
Degree: Bachelor of Science Child Life Specialist
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

Muncie, IN
Website: bsu.edu/childandfamily
Department: Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies
Contact: Robin Box, M.A., Family and Child Program Director, Assistant Lecturer
Email: rbox@bsu.edu
Phone: (765) 285-4066
Degree: Undergraduate – Family and Child: Child Life
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, the following courses in the child life program periodically have options for online learning: Child and Family Wellness, Family Relations, Families Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Parenting, Promoting Prosocial Behavior in Young Children, Guidance and Cultural Factors, Intro to Psychological Science, Family Policy, Anatomy, Adolescent Psychology, Terminology for Health Care Professionals and Consumers, and Health Behavior: Cultural Variations
Class Available to non-matriculating students: Yes, students may enroll at the university as a guest. Apply here
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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

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

Hammond, LA
Website: http://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/depts/hhs/grad_prg/childlife_graduate.html
Department: Health and Human Sciences
Contact: Holly Kihm, Ph.D., CCLS, CFLE, Program Coordinator
Email: holly.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

Ruston, LA
Website: http://www.latech.edu/ans/human-ecology/
Department: Human Ecology 
Contact: Keeley Machen Schares, MS, CCLS, Instructor

Email: kmmachen@latech.edu
Phone: (318)257-3034
Degree: Undergraduate 
Date of Origin: 1990
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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

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

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

Mt. Pleasant, MI
Website: www.cmich.edu
Contact: Tierney Popp, PhD, Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
Email: popp1tk@cmich.edu
Phone: 989-774-7608
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: 
Child Life Course: HDF 404: Children and Hospitalization

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

Kalamazoo, MI
Contact: Karin Rourke, MS, CCLS
Email: karin.rourke@wmich.edu
Phone: 269-387-3734
Degree: Graduate - concentration in child life

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

Big Rapids, MI
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

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

    

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

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

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

Columbia, MO
Website: http://hdfs.missouri.edu/
Department: Human Development and Family Science
Contact: Nora Hager, M.A., CCLS, Child Life Program Director and Instructor
Email: hagern@missouri.edu
Phone: 573-884-5997
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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

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

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
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

Play: HDFS697: Special Topics: Learning Through Play

 

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

 

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
ACLP Endorsed: Yes

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, 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

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

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

Wilmington, NC 
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

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

Fargo, ND
Website: https://www.ndsu.edu/hdfs/
Contact: Andrea Richard
Email: andrea.a.richard@ndsu.edu
Phone: 701-231-9849
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, online.
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes, if space is available.
Courses Pre-Approved: None
Child Life Course: HDFS 350 Fundamentals of Hospital Child Life

Oxford, OH
Website:  https://miamioh.edu/ehs/academics/departments/fsw/academics/majors/family-science/child-life/index.html
Contact: Elise Radina
Email: childlife@miamioh.edu
Phone: 513-529-2323
Distance Learning Opportunities: Some core courses are available online.
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes 
Programs: Child Life Specialist Certificate (Undergraduate), Graduate Child Life Specialist Certificate
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Development (Both courses must be taken to meet the requirement.): FSW 245: Children & Families Ages Conception-12, FSW: 481/581 Adolescent Development in Diverse Families
Research: FSW 295: Research and Evaluation Methods, FSW 616: Research Methods I, PSY 294 Writing and Research Methods, KNH 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    

Bowling Green, Ohio
Website: https://www.bgsu.edu/catalog/colleges-and-programs/college-of-education-and-human-development/child-life-minor.html 
Department: College of Education and Human Development 
Contact: Brittany Mikuluk, CCLS Adjunct Instructor 
Email: bmikulu@bgsu.edu 
Phone: 419-372-7401
Degree: Undergraduate
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes. Introduction to Child Life is offered by Remote Synchronous Online.
Courses Pre-Approved: HDFS 2210 (Child Development) or consent of instructor.

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

Dayton, OH
Website: https://catalog.udayton.edu/undergraduate/schoolofeducationandhealthsciences/programsofstudy/
Contact: Sabrina Neeley
Email: sneeley1@udayton.edu
Phone: (937) 229-3572
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Programs: Education & Allied Studies
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Development (2 courses must be taken to meet the requirement): EDT 211 Child Development Birth to Age 8, EDT 222 Middle Childhood to Young Adult Development, PSY 351 Child Psychology
Research: HSS 428 Research in Sport & Health Sciences
Family Systems: SOC 331 Marriage and Family
Death and Dying: SWK 331 Death and Dying
Additional 3: HSS 201 Medical Terminology, HSS 206 Anatomy & Physiology, PHL 315 Medical Ethics Section 1

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

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

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

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

Mechanicsburg, PA 
Website: http://www.messiah.edu/departments/family/academic_programs/programs/hdfs.html
Email: jmcgeary@messiah.edu
Phone: 717-766-2511 x. 2850 (Dr. Raeann R. Hamon, Chair of HDFS Dept.)

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

 

Charleston, SC
Department: Child Life
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, SC
Department: Child and Family Studies / Child Life
Contact: Dr. Joyce Fields
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

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

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

Cookeville, TN
Website: http://www.tntech.edu/cahe/hec/programs/child-life.php
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

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    

Stephenville, TX
Contact: Dr. Deborah Anne Banker
Email: banker@tarleton.edu
Phone: 254.968.9441
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes, program is entirely online
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Research: CHFS 4356: Online Research Methods in Human Sciences
Child Life: CHFS 4345: Child Life Theory and Practice
Child Development: CHFS 3300: Child Development Theory, Research and Practice, CHFS 1304: Infant and Toddler Development-both courses must be taken in order to meet the requirement.
Family Systems: CHFS 4309 Parenting
Play: CHFS 4340: Play Theory and Research
Loss/Bereavement or Death/Dying: CHFS 4355 Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
Additional 3 Courses: TECA 1318 Wellness of the Young Child, CHFS 4320 Early Intervention Services, CHFS 4350 Policies and Ethical Standards

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

Houston, TX
Website: www.coe.uh.edu
Contact: Zoe McCoy, ME.d., CCLS, CIMI
Phone: (713) 743-9830
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes, with consent from the instructor
Courses Pre-Approved: None

Austin, TX
Website: www.utexas.edu
Contact: Farya Phillips, Ph.D., CCLS
Phone: ???
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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

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

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 (taught by a CCLS)
Child Development: PSYC 30323: Child Psychology & EDUC 30143: Child & Adolescent Development (both courses must be taken to meet the requirement)
Play: CHDV 30223: Fundamentals of Play (taught by a CCLS)
Research: PSYC 30533:Developmental Research & Evaluation
Family Systems: CHDV 40493: Family Systems 
Loss and Bereavement: SOWO 40563: Grief and Loss
Additional 3: CHDV 20123: Trauma-Informed Interventions, CHDV 25053: Global Advocacy, CHDV 50533: Case Studies in Child Development

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 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

Dallas, TX
Website: http://www.utdallas.edu/bbs/degrees/hdcd
Department: School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Contact:  Jill B Cook, MS, CCLS
Email: Jill.Cook@utdallas.edu; jbc14043@utdallas.edu         
Phone: (972) 883-2588
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
Degree: Master of Science in Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders (HDCD)
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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

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: 254-710-4273
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: None

 

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

 

Salt Lake City, UT
Website: https://fcs.utah.edu/undergraduate/child-life.php
Department: Family & Consumer Studies 
Contact: Ashley Johnson, Graduate Advisor
Email: ashley.johnson@fcs.utah.edu
Phone: (801) 585-3047

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

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

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

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, M.A. - Child Life
Courses Pre-Approved: None

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

Eau Claire, WI
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 

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

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

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 350/550 Child Life Principles and Perspectives

  Child Development (all courses must be taken in order to fulfill the requirement): HD 361/561 Development & Guidance of Children, HD 466/666 Development & Guidance of 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 and Methods for the Health Sciences, COL/FN 720: Outcome Based Program Evaluation
Loss and  Bereavement: HD 465 / 665 Grief and Loss
Additional 3 Courses: HS 295 Medical Terminology, BIOL 287 Essentials of Human Anatomy, FCS 295 Ethics and Professional Development in Human Services 

   

Website: http://apu.apus.edu