Master of Science in Child LifeHenry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, Education, and Health Sciences

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The Child Life program at Edgewood College is committed to educating and preparing future child life specialists of the highest caliber and quality. According to the Association of Child Life Professionals, a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a child development expert who works to ensure that life remains as normal as possible for children in health care settings and other challenging environments.

The Child Life program at Edgewood College, which is an Association of Child life Professionals endorsed academic program, is committed to educating and preparing future child life specialists of the highest caliber and quality. According to the Association of Child Life Professionals, a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a child development expert who works to ensure that life remains as normal as possible for children in health care settings and other challenging environments. Child life specialists provide services in a variety of health care settings, including inpatient units, surgery areas, intensive care units, emergency departments, clinics and outpatient treatment areas. Child life specialists also provide services in other settings such as dental offices, community organizations, special needs camps, and a variety of other areas. To an ever increasing extent, child life specialists are involved in providing grief and bereavement services not only in the hospital-setting, but in hospice programs, home hospice, community organizations, bereavement centers, support groups, and grief groups and camps.

Locations
Global

Formats
Hybrid

Number of Credits
39

Career in Child Life

Child life specialists provide services in a variety of health care settings, including inpatient units, surgery areas, intensive care units, emergency departments, clinics and outpatient treatment areas. Child life specialists also provide services in other settings such as dental offices, community organizations, special needs camps, and a variety of other areas. To an ever increasing extent, child life specialists are involved in providing grief and bereavement services not only in the hospital-setting, but in hospice programs, home hospice, community organizations, bereavement centers, support groups, and grief groups and camps.

Obtaining the master’s degree in Child Life will equip you with research, leadership, and administration skills that will increase your marketability for additional job opportunities.

$53,970

Average annual salary for a Child Life Specialist (hospital based)

Association of Child Life Professionals

Child Life Specialists may work in a variety of settings:

Community-Based Organizations
Hospitals
Outpatient Clinics
Rehabilitation Centers
Specialty Clinics

Student Spotlight

Shannon Kaufman

MS Child Life

“I am so thankful that I chose to attend Edgewood College and pursued a degree in Child Life within the accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program. The program was well developed by the academic team comprised of Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS). They shared knowledge and experiences that provided a unique outlook on the profession and were instrumental to my success as a student and now professional.”

ACLP Endorsed

The Edgewood College Child Life Program is an Association of Child Life Professionals Endorsed Academic Program.

Featured Courses in Masters in Child Life

CHLF610 – Infant, Child, Youth, and Adolescent Development for the Child Life Professional

This course will review all areas of development, from infancy, childhood, youth, and adolescent. The course will examine direct applications of the knowledge and use of developmental theory to the practice of an effective child life professional.

CHLF620 – Psychosocial Care of Hospitalized Children and Families

This course will look at effects of hospitalization on infants, children, adolescents and families at each stage of development. The course will focus on applied theory and interventions to lessen the stress of hospitalization. The role of family systems and the relationship with the child life specialist as a member of the health care team will be explored. A practicum is required.

CHLF640 – Child Life Seminar I: Communication and Collaboration

This seminar style course will examine a variety of communication styles, both verbal and written, that will ensure effective communication with patients and families, child life colleagues, and the interdisciplinary health care team. Additionally, strategies for effective collaboration these groups will be explored. Documentation and charting styles will also be reviewed.

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Faculty Spotlights

Katie Glass, EdD, CCLS

Associate Dean and Program Director, Child Life Program

KGlass@edgewood.edu

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Program Highlights

Edgewood College is the only college in Wisconsin that offers students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in Child Life. Students who graduate from the Child Life program go on to become child life professionals that serve children and families not only in Wisconsin, but throughout the United States, and in other countries around the world. Through the program, you’ll develop expertise in helping children and families cope with stressful and traumatic events, including acute and chronic illness, hospitalization and medical encounters, pain and medical procedures, grief and loss. You will benefit from:

One-on-one academic and internship advising
A cohort model program with small class sizes to enhance the therapeutic relationship
Courses offered either face-to-face or virtually (no campus visits)
Access and collaboration with numerous child life programs in Wisconsin and Illinois (Practicum placement only available to those in the face-to-face cohorts).

This program meets the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) requirements for coursework, internship and certification. The Edgewood College Child Life program will continue to follow the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) accreditation of master’s program requirements as they become available.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Masters in Child Life

How do I apply for this program?

To be considered for admission, applicants must provide all of the following items. Only completed applications will be reviewed by the Henry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, and Health Sciences, Child Life Program for admission consideration:

Provide evidence of a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The cumulative grade point average is computed on the highest degree held at the time of application to the Edgewood College graduate program.
Complete and submit graduate application (including $30 fee).
Request that official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic credits received from any post-secondary institutions be sent directly to Edgewood College Graduate and Professional Studies.
Two letters of recommendation speaking to applicant success within a master’s level program and the field of Child Life. One letter must be from a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).
25 hours of work with well children (paid or non-paid) Clinical Experience Hours Verification Form.
75 hours of volunteer work in a child life setting.
A written statement is required when applying to the Child Life Program. This essay should include the following:
1. Interests and motivation for wanting to be a Child Life Specialist
2. Ability to succeed in graduate school
3. What preparation, or accomplishments to date that impact your success as a future Child Life Specialist
An interview with the Program Director and an admissions team is mandatory. This interview can occur online or face-to-face prior to acceptance.

International students must contact the Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions Office regarding additional admission requirements.

Does this program require a background check?

All MS in Child Life students must comply with a Criminal Record Background Check as required by either the State of Wisconsin or the state in which placement is held to successfully complete the program.

What are the graduation requirements for this program?

To receive the Master of Science in Child Life, students must have:

Maintained a 3.0 GPA in those credits
Completed 600 clinical hours of Child Life internship
Earned 39 credits in prescribed Child Life Courses