Seriously ill and hospitalized children and adolescents, and their families have special needs beyond ordinary family concerns. The child life major will prepare you to work with these children and their families to promote optimum development by minimizing psychological trauma, providing opportunities for age-appropriate activities, and helping families maintain normal routines. Some specific responsibilities of a child life specialist include helping children gain mastery by teaching them ways to cope with painful medical procedures, helping them understand their diagnosis in an age appropriate manner, supporting families during stressful situations, and promoting play and normal childhood development in the healthcare setting. A child life specialist is an integral member of the healthcare team working to improve outcomes for the hospitalized child by advocating for the child’s unique needs. In addition, a child life specialist may visit classrooms and other community programs to conduct educational seminars for well children about hospitals and medical procedures.

Jobs within the child life field are very competitive. Most positions are located in children’s hospitals. Students interested in this major must be willing to go where the jobs are located, usually in large cities.

The child life program includes course work in the areas of infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescent development, family interaction throughout the life span, special education, and early intervention. The child life major requires students to learn the variables surrounding the hospitalized child including: medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and strategies for working with children in health care settings. Internships in an on-campus child development laboratory and in a healthcare setting, under the supervision of a certified child life specialist, are required. The child life curriculum of East Carolina University follows the academic program guidelines established by the Child Life Council. The curriculum meets the guidelines set by the Child Life Certifying Commission of the Child Life Council. In order to earn a Child Life Professional Certification, you must apply for the certification and obtain a passing score on the Child Life Professional Certification Examination. To find out more about the Child Life Professional Certification, visit www.childlife.org.

Course Descriptions—Undergraduate