Child Life, Master of Arts (MA)
In the child life field, students who obtain a master's degree are more competitive for clinical practicum, internship, and in the job market. Additionally, this program provides students with research skill sets unique to the child life field, in addition to supervisory and managerial skills for administrative level child life positions.
Program Prerequisite: Prior to beginning the Advanced Standing students must complete a BA in Children’s Studies or a related field that includes all 10 academic courses required for certification eligibility through the Association of Child Life Professionals.
All MA in Child Life students complete the required core, four electives, and a clinical experience.
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If a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) at program entry: Clinical experience is waived (no child life internship or applied fieldwork required). Total credits: 44–45.
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If not a CCLS at program entry: Must complete a Child Life Internship or Applied Child Life Fieldwork to meet the clinical requirement. Total credits: 48–49.
| Required Core Courses | 25 | |
| FAMILY SYSTEMS IN HEALTHCARE | ||
| CHILD LIFE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES | ||
| ADMINISTRATION IN CHILD LIFE PROGRAMS | ||
| CHILD LIFE GRANT WRITING | ||
| CHILD LIFE THESIS | ||
or CDST 601 | CHILD LIFE RESEARCH PROJECT | |
| Required Electives–All students are required to take four electives. Additional electives available with prior approval from Program Director. | 19-20 | |
| DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN CHILDHOOD | ||
| TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | ||
| MINDFULNESS AND ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN | ||
| THERAPEUTIC PLAY | ||
| DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN | ||
| TOPICS IN CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH | ||
| CHILD ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | ||
| CHILD LIFE PRACTICE ASSESSMENT AND PREPARATION | ||
| PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE | ||
| CHILD LIFE IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS | ||
| Required Clinical Experience- All students complete either a child life internship or applied child life fieldwork; CCLSs are exempt. | 0-4 | |
| CHILD LIFE INTERNSHIP | ||
or CDST 594 | APPLIED CHILD LIFE FIELDWORK | |
| Total Credits | 44-49 | |
Students who earn an MA in Child Life from EWU should be able to:
- integrate relevant theory to plan, develop, and justify child life services across settings, including basic program development and design for new or evolving services,
- assess child and family needs and implement developmentally appropriate interventions;
- communicate effectively with children, caregivers, and interprofessional teams using family- and trauma-informed practices;
- advance equity and ethics in practice, demonstrating cultural humility, adherence to scope and policy, and ethical decision-making in service delivery, program evaluation, and research activities;
- collaborate and lead to advocate for children and families, develop and improve programs and systems of care, and pursue resources through basic grant writing and stakeholder engagement;
- generate and apply evidence by using core research skills, evaluate programs, and translate findings to child life practice and dissemination;
- generate and apply evidence through inquiry and translate findings to child life practice.