Child Life, Minor

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The minor in child life is designed to support students who are pursuing a career as a child life specialist in healthcare and community settings (e.g., clinical hospital settings, court and foster care systems, trauma teams, and bereavement support services). Child life specialists help children and their families cope with the stress and ambiguity of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss and bereavement. Specific aims of the minor are to educate students in child life theory and practice, child development principles, trauma-informed practice, medical terminology, and play activities that aid effective child coping. A family-centered approach is emphasized. The minor consists of 21-23 credit hours including a relevant practicum experience.

Required Courses

(21-23 Credits)

Note:

*May be taken as an elective in the HDFS major to satisfy 3 of the 6 required credit hours in the development stage core of the HDFS major. HDFS majors must take two of the following four courses from the HDFS curriculum: HDFS 2200 - Infant and Toddler Development , HDFS 2210 - Child Development , HDFS 2280 - Preadolescent and Adolescent in Family and Community and HDFS 2290 - Adult Development and Aging . HDFS 2210 and HDFS 2280 may be used to satisfy requirements of the HDFS major and child life minor.