The Child Life Graduate program at Illinois State University is a four semester experience resulting in a Master of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences.
Typically, students are on campus taking courses their first three semesters and complete their child life internship at a hospital under the direction of a certified child life specialist their fourth semester. As part of on-campus course work students spend time each week at either St John’s Hospital in Springfield or the Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF St Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
We offer a 32 hours program option which includes a thesis or a 39 hours non-thesis option of graduate coursework. For both the 32 hour program and 39 hour program students must complete the following course work:
The 32 hour program requires at least 15 semester hours numbered 400 and above and at least 16 hours in Family and Consumer Sciences.
The 39 hour program requires at least 18 semester hours in courses numbered 400 or above and at least 20 hours in Family and Consumer Sciences.
The Child Life Program suitably prepares students to successfully complete the Child Life Certification Examination and enter the child life profession by providing ample opportunities to increase their capacity for inquiry, logical thinking, critical analysis, and synthesis as they apply theory to practice.
