Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences - Child Life

The Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences (Child Life track) prepares students to pursue a career in the child life profession. This 32 credit hour track (or 34 credit hour track if a Child Life practicum was not completed prior to entrance) involves course work aligned with recommendations and requirements of the Association of Child Life Professionals, the primary professional organization of child life specialists. The curriculum provides classroom and field experiences enabling students to build on skills and knowledge key to working as a child life professional.

Admission requirements for the child life program are:

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
A bachelor’s degree or minor in human development, family science, child and family development, health services, or a related field.
An undergraduate or graduate course in child development.
An undergraduate practicum/internship and/or volunteer or work experience with children, youth and/or families.
Recommended: Undergraduate coursework in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology with a grade of B or better.

Minimum English proficiency test scores:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 80 iBT

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6.5

Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE): 54

Michigan English Test (MET): 57

Application deadlines:

Child life application deadlines are January 15 (for summer session and fall semester), March 26 (for fall or spring semesters), and October 1 (for spring semester and summer session).