Child Life Specialty

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Illinois State University offers a master's degree with a specialty in Child Life. Students wishing to pursue this degree will attain the skills and knowledge base to become a Certified Child Life Specialist.

A Child Life Specialist is a professional who is specially trained to help children and their families understand and manage challenging life events and stressful healthcare experiences. Child Life Specialists are skilled in providing developmental, educational, and therapeutic interventions for children and their families under stress. Child Life Specialists support growth and development while recognizing family strengths and individuality, and respecting different methods of coping.

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, with an educational background that includes human growth and development, education, psychology, and counseling. They are required to complete an internship program and a rigorous application and examination process. Child Life Specialists are certified through a program administered by the Child Life Council (CLC).

For further information on what being a Child Life Specialist entails, visit the Child Life Council's web site.