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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.
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.
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.
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M.S. in Child Life 
