spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
Click to return to Child and Family Development front page
     
 
 Graduate Programs M.S. in Child Life
bullet 

child life

The program with an emphasis in Child Life is offered for students wishing to pursue a higher academic education and who are interested in working with children and families in healthcare settings. This program allows a dual focus on the study of issues and development in children and families, along with theory, practice, and research in Child Life. Students in this emphasis will complete the required Child and Family Development and Child Life coursework listed in their program of study. Upon fulfillment of the program requirements, students will graduate with a Master of Science degree in Child and Family Development with an emphasis in Child Life.

The program with an emphasis in Child Life at the University of Georgia works in congruence with the Child Life Council’s requirements for becoming a certified Child Life Specialist. Child Life Council website: www.childlife.org

The Child Life Curriculum

The curriculum combines courses in child and family development with classes specific to issues in child life. Coursework also includes opportunities to apply theory and research in a hospital setting. Courses are organized that students will receive adequate preparation for the Child Life internship as well as the Child Life certification exam.

child life

The curriculum includes courses in the following areas:

  • Human development and family studies
  • Theories and issues in family relationships
  • Research methods
  • The hospitalized child and family
  • Teaching and counseling children with chronic illnesses
  • Hospital practicums at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
  • Hospital internship
  • Clinical project or thesis

Internship

After coursework is completed, a Child Life internship is a requirement of the program.  An internship allows students to work with Certified Child Life Specialists in healthcare settings and participate in preparation, developmental assessments, support groups, procedural support, normalization activities, bereavement activities, and documentation.  Students also work directly with patients and learn how theory is applied to their work.  The internship experience provides students with hands-on clinical training and the ability to develop professionalism and knowledge of Child Life practice.  Students initiate the internship application and interview process with the hospitals of their choice. Internships are then contracted between UGA and the specific hospital.

child life

Program Graduates

Graduates of this program have obtained positions within various hospitals, pediatric hospice settings, and other child or family support organizations.  Positions held by some of the previous graduates include child life specialist, community-physician liaison, national outreach coordinator for local hospitals, extension agent, program coordinator of Children’s Miracle Network, hospice specialist, and director of marketing and public relations at the Georgia Transplant Foundation.  By completing a degree in Child and Family Development with an emphasis in Child Life, students are able to study diverse issues on children and families, while maximizing their career potential.

For Further Information about Child Life

To obtain further information concerning the Child Life program or to make an appointment for an interview, contact:

Dr. Charlotte Wallinga
Director Child Life Program
Department of Child and Family Development
The University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-3622
(706) 542-4899
cwallinga@fcs.uga.edu

Please note that admissions applications are due December 1 of each year for the following fall.  Assistantship funding is available.  Please see  http://www.fcs.uga.edu/cfd/graduate/prospective.html for additional information about assistantships and the application process.


 
 

Undergraduate

Four great programs, excellent advising, and lots of applied experiences!
Undergraduate

Graduate

PhD, MS, MAT programs preparing future scholars - learn more!
Graduate

Faculty & Staff

Excelling in instruction, research and outreach - discover who we are.
Faculty and Staff

Child Development Lab at the McPhaul Center

Researching, developing teachers, enriching children
Child Development Lab

Marriage & Family Therapy Program and Aspire Clinic

Preparing future therapists and scholars.
McPhaul Family Therapy Clinic

Research & Outreach

Making an impact on scholarship and in the lives of real people.
Research & Outreach

Contact Us

We're here for you.
Contact Us
spacer
spacer Study Here · About Us · Faculty & Staff · Alumni · Tech Services · Departments · Contact · Help · Search · en español · Text Only
spacer
Dawson Hall · The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Telephone: (706) 542-4860