Are you looking for a job in the medical field that doesn't involve clinical care? Do you enjoy working with children? Would you like to help them navigate the life changes that come with injuries and illnesses?
If so, why not become a child life specialist?
In this article, we'll take a look at some online child life specialist degree programs and answer questions you may have about this difficult, but rewarding, profession.
What Is a Child Life Specialist?
A child life specialist is a non-clinical healthcare professional who works with sick or injured children and their families.
Child life specialists typically work in hospitals and care facilities, helping children and families adjust to new diagnoses and helping them develop coping strategies.
They may also work with children who are suffering from mental or emotional trauma due to abuse, neglect, bereavement, and other circumstances.
Child life specialists work to develop a safe environment for children to open up and express themselves. They work to develop bonds of trust with young patients and their families.
They endeavor to help children feel safe and welcome, even in the unfamiliar and often scary environment of a hospital.
They utilize play therapy to allow children to express their concerns and to explain medical procedures and other care techniques.
They work with doctors and other clinical professionals to develop a care plan for the child, aiming to meet their mental, emotional, and developmental needs, as well as their physical needs.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Child Life Specialist?
Child life specialists must be caring, compassionate, and have excellent communication skills. They must be skilled at working with children and advocating for them.
Any aspiring child life specialist must hold a bachelor's degree at minimum. The degree can be in any field; common choices include:
- behavioral studies
- human development and family studies
- child psychology
It's also important to take training that's specifically related to child life development. You can receive this training in the form of an undergraduate or graduate certificate program.
You can also choose to obtain a master's degree specializing in child life studies. While a master's degree is not required to work in the field, it can give you a professional edge.
Finally, aspiring child life specialists must meet all requirements for the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential, which is offered by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
Requirements include holding a bachelor's degree, graduation from a child life program endorsed by the ACLP, and proof of completion of a 600-hour internship program.
What Does a Child Life Specialist Degree Program Include?
Child life degree programs include many foundational courses in child psychology, developmental play, and healthcare-related counseling.
Additionally, you will learn about how to help children dealing with bereavement and loss, hospitalization, and negative cultural influences.
Other major courses may cover topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and medical ethics.
Most child life degree and certificate programs also include an internship program, enabling students to satisfy the requirements of ACLP certification.
Some of these types of programs are available online; however, internship portions of the degree will need to be completed in person.
What Are Some Online Child Life Specialist Degree Programs?
If you are looking to enter a child life degree program online, there are a few options. Most of them are graduate-level programs and short-term certificates.
Let's take a look at a few top options.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama offers an online child life bachelor's degree program.
Officially, the degree is a Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies with a concentration in family life.
The program consists of 120 total credits. All coursework can be completed online. An internship will need to be completed as part of the program.
Maryville University
Maryville University is a private school in Missouri offering a wide range of online degree programs for busy students.
If you are interested in child life, you can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in human development and family studies. This versatile program offers several concentrations, including a child life specialist one.
All classes are completed online, and the program prepares students to sit for the CCLS exam.
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota provides an advanced program of study for aspiring or current child life specialists hoping to pursue a broader range of career opportunities.
The school's Master of Arts in child life studies is available entirely online, with the option to complete an internship in your area if you are not already a certified child life specialist.
The internship is not required for those who are already certified. Instead, a capstone project prepares them for leadership or specialized roles within child life services.
Your Guide to Online Child Life Specialist Degree Programs
Online degrees and certificate programs are available for aspiring child life specialists. If you need a flexible degree to fit your busy life, check out each of the programs discussed in this article.
