Programs Offering Pre-Approved Courses

The pre-approval process evaluates a program's course(s) utilizing course descriptions, syllabi and other materials to make a determination as to whether or not a specific course fulfills one or more of the 2019 course requirements. If pre-approved, academic programs can provide assurance to their students that their course offerings will meet one or more of the certification (2019) course requirements.

The following is a list of programs offering pre-approved courses. Please note students taking pre-approved courses will still be required to complete an Eligibility Assessment.

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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
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:
-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

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Colorado

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Website: https://www.msudenver.edu/psychology/
Contact: Dr. Lisa Badanes
Email: lbaadanes@msudenver.edu
Phone: 303-615-0142
Distance Learning Opportunities: All courses are offered online
Classes available to non-matriculating students: n/a
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Development (both courses must be taken): PSY 3250 Child Psychology, PSY 3260 Psychology of Adolescence
Play: PSY 3460 Psychology of Play
Death and Dying: PSY 2270 Death and Dying
Research: PSY 4700 Senior Experience in Human Development and Family Studies
Additional 3: PSY 2210 Psychology of Human Development, PSY 3340 Cognitive Development and Learning, PSY 3400 Child Psychopathology

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Georgia

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

Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: No
ACLP Endorsed: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Research: HDFS 2300 The Science of Studying Human Development and Families

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Florida

Nova Southeastern University

Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Website: http://www.nova.edu/humanservices/devdisabilities/curriculum.html
Department: Fischler College of Education
Contact: Emmy Maurilus, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Email: em986@nova.edu
Phone: (954) 262-6922
Degree: MS in Developmental Disabilities, Child Life Specialist Concentration

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

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Louisiana

Southeastern Louisiana University

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: 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 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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Massachusetts

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Michigan

Central Michigan University

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

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Minnesota

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Program/Department Website: https://ahn.mnsu.edu/fcs/

Contact: Heather Von Bank, Ph.D.

Email: heather.von-bank@mnsu.edu

Phone: (507) 389-2421

Degree Offered: Child Development and Family Studies, BS

Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: FCS 202: Introduction to Child Life Specialist

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New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community College

Website: https://www.cnm.edu/student-resources/class-schedule/topics-courses

Contact: Jennifer Kean or Ana Bacon
Email: jkean@salud.unm.edu alontiverozbacon@salud.unm.edu
Phone: 505 272-2671
Distance Learning: yes
Non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course Requirement: ECED 2096 Introduction to Child Life: Normalizing Hospitalization for Children, A Child Life Approach

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New York

Molloy College

Website: https://www.molloy.edu/academics/undergraduate-minors/child-life-minor
Contact: Melissa Gebbia
Email: mgebbia@molloy.edu
Phone: (516)323-3848
Distance Learning Opportunities: No
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: Undergraduate
Date of Origin: 2018
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Development (both courses must be taken to meet the requirement): PSY 2050 Child Development I: Pre-natal through Middle Childhood, PSY 2060 Child Development II- Middle Childhood Through Adolescence
Child Life: PSY 3800 Introduction to Child Life
Play: PSY 3810: Theory of Play and Creative Art Therapies

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Ohio

Miami University

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 0-12, FSW: 481/581 Adolescent Development
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 State University

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.

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Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg University

Website: https://www.bloomu.edu/coe
Department: Education
Contact: Michael Patte
Email: mpatte@bloomu.edu
Phone: 570-389-4026
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Degree: child life minor and certificate
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Development: PSYCH 211 Early Childhood Development, PSYCH 212 Adolescent Development
Family Systems: PROFSTUD 414 & EDL 507- Child, Family, & Community Engagement
Play: PROFSTUD 347-Play and Expressive Arts for the Developing Child
Loss and Bereavement: PROFSTUD 341- Death, Dying and Loss
Research: PROFSTUD 342 Applied Research Methods
CL Course: PROFSTUD 340-Children and Families in Medical Settings
Additional 3: PSYCH 210 Lifespan Development, PHIL 290 Medical Ethics, COUNSEL 420/520 Human Development, COUNSEL 400/500 Introductions to the Helping Professions, BIOL 173 Anatomy & Physiology 1, BIOL 174 Anatomy & Physiology 2, Communication Studies 324- Health Communication

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Texas

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: SOCI 30303: Marriage and Family

Loss and Bereavement: SOWO 40563.080: Death & Dying

Additional 3: CHDV 50533 Case Studies in Child Development, CHDV 40993 Senior Seminar in Child Development, CHDV 25053 Children in Global Community

Play: CHDV 30223 Fundamentals of Play
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

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Virginia

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
Website: www.gmu.edu
Contact: HDFS Program Coordinator
Email: HDFS@gmu.edu
Phone: (703) 993-5856
Distance Learning Opportunities: Yes
Class available to non-matriculating students: Yes
Courses Pre-Approved: Yes
Child Life Course: HDFS 301.DL1 - The Hospitalized Child and Family
Family Systems: HDFS 400- Advanced Family Processes

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Wisconsin

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 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

Programs Offering Pre-Approved Courses

California

Colorado

Georgia

Florida

Louisiana

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

New Mexico

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Texas

Virginia

Wisconsin

Certification