Child Development & Family Science
Michaelsen 100
(509) 963-2766
Amy.Claridge@cwu.edu
Major in Child Life |
Child life specialists are child development experts who help children and families cope in medical settings such as hospitals. They provide education about medical diagnoses and treatments and promote coping through procedural support, play, and therapeutic activities. Graduates of the child life specialization are prepared to pursue child life graduate studies, internships, and certification as Certified Child Life Specialists.
Alternately, child life students bring a unique foundation of knowledge and skills to graduate programs for other healthcare professions in pediatrics such as nursing, pre-med, physician assistants, and physical or occupational therapy. Future healthcare professionals may decide to take child life classes through the major or as part of the Child Development minor
Child Life Specialization Program Required Courses
Interested in the Major? Contact Information
Child Development and Family Science Majors with a Child Life Specialization will:
What is Unique about the Child Life Specialization at CWU?
Our Child Life program is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
All Child Development and Family Science students complete a multi-term practicum or internship experience in an agency suited to their particular professional goals. Students who specialize in child life will select a site where they gain experience working with children. This may include a day care or preschool, community program for youth, medical facility, WIC office, or any of a variety of programs that serve the needs of children and families. Many students choose to earn some of their practicum credit by volunteering at a local summer camp for medically-fragile children. The Child Life Club is also actively involved in volunteering at local children's hospitals.
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Child life students take several applied skills courses taught by practicing child life specialists and family therapists. In these courses, students develop therapeutic skills and are well-prepared to work with children and families in many settings following graduation. The program requirements include the 10 courses required for certification as a child life specialist by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE CORE | ||
Course # | Title | Credits |
CDFS 101 | Skills for Marriage and Intimate Relationships | 4 |
CDFS 232 | Child Development | 3 |
CDFS 234 | Contemporary Families | 4 |
CDFS 235 | Relationships and Personal Development | 3 |
CDFS 236 | Parent Education and Guidance | 4 |
CDFS 344 | Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy | 4 |
CDFS 405* | Professional Obligations and Responsibilities | 4 |
CDFS 419* | Research in Child Development and Family Science | 4 |
CDFS 436 | Diversity and Families | 4 |
CDFS 492* | Child Development and Family Science Practicum | 12 |
CDFS 495* | Undergraduate Research | 1 |
CHILD LIFE SPECIALIZATION | ||
CDFS 339 | Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood | 4 |
CDFS 340 | Supporting Children with Special Needs and their Families | 4 |
CDFS 345 | Advanced Concepts in Child Development | 4 |
CDFS 414 | Coping with Grief and Loss | 4 |
CDFS 415 | Therapeutic Play | 4 |
CDFS 416 | Child Life I: Child Life Scope of Practice | 4 |
CDFS 417 | Pediatric Diagnoses and Medical Terminology | 4 |
CDFS 418 | Child Life II: Impact of Child Hospitalization | 4 |
CDFS 432 | Theories in Child Development | 3 |
CDFS 438 | Attachment Theory and Practice | 4 |
Approved Specialization Electives | 7 | |
Total Credits for Child Life Specialization | 94 |
* For Child Development and Family Science Majors Only
Child Life Two Year Graduation Plan
Admission and Graduation Requirements
Students wishing to declare a major in Child Life must be incoming first-year or transfer students or have a cumulative CWU GPA of 3.0. Child Life majors must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher to remain in the major and must earn a “C” or higher in all courses used to satisfy the major.
Application Process
To apply for the major, complete the major application form and send it to Dr. Amy Claridge.
The Child Development and Family Science major has three specializations: Child Life, Child Development, and Family Science.
For information about the Child Life Specialization or other Child Development and Family Science programs, please contact Dr. Amy Claridge.
For more information about the child life profession or certification requirements, visit the Association of Child Life Professionals website. We also offer a Master's degree in Child Development and Family Science with a specialization in Child Life.
Lisa Blumenthal graduated in 2020 with an MS in Family and Child Life after defending her thesis on
Former MS Student Publishes Article With FacultyGraduate of the MS Family and Child Life program and a current faculty member, Olivia Powell, recent
CDFS Faculty Featured In The ACLP BulletinProf. Katy Tenhulzen was featured in the Association of Child Life Professionals Spring 2021 Bulleti