School of Health Professions
Department of Social Work & Child Life
Master of Science in Child Life and Interprofessional Practice
A program designed to deepen understanding of child development and of the processes of supporting children and families during a medical intervention, crises or hospitalization.
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Concordia University will not share your personal information. By submitting this form you agree to be contacted about Concordia's Education Offerings.Program Overview
Concordia University Ann Arbor is committed to preparing child life specialists who employ evidence-based methods in integrative health care settings and settings where children and families impacted by illness, injury, and health care are served. The intent of the Child Life Master’s Program is to prepare men and women for a life of service in the church, and in the world, within the specialized area of Child Life. This program is designed to deepen understanding of child development and of the processes of supporting children and families during medical interventions, crises or hospitalization, in developmentally appropriate and in trauma informed ways.
Questions?
Prof. Kara Kastamo, MS, CCLS
Child Life Program Coordinator
kara.kastamo@cuaa.edu
734-995-7426
What to Expect
Children and families can encounter a variety of health care related stressors and potentially traumatic events when faced with acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma and bereavement. These experiences can lead to complex feelings that can greatly influence the child's development and the child's, and family's, abilities to cope. This program will help you to address them from a Christian perspective, within an interdisciplinary health care team, to provide exceptional child life services with a servant's heart. Students will examine how to provide evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate, interventions for children and families, as well as analyze the steps that child life professionals can take to advocate on behalf of the child and family impacted by illness, injury, and health care.
This program is an accelerated advanced degree in Child Life and Interprofessional Practice. The Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP) has requirements which include particular course work and fieldwork in order to be eligible to take the certification exam and be employed as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Not all of these courses are required to graduate with this degree. The program coordinator will work with you individually to be sure you are eligible to take the exam and come up with an individualized plan that works for you.
Concentrations / Specializations
Why pursue a Child Life master's at Concordia University?
- First Child Life graduate program in Southeast Michigan.
- Since the program began, all students who have graduated have either been offered a fellowship or job working as a Child Life Specialist before their actual graduation date.
- This program offers flexibility as it is an online program. Students who are local are able to be present on campus or attend via technology various learning opportunities. These include but are not limited to Child Life Student Association events and simulation lab opportunities where students can practice working with the interdisciplinary team (Social Work, Physical Therapy, Occupation Therapy, Nursing, Physician Assistants) so that they can practice Child Life skills throughout the duration of the program.
- All instructors hold a current Certification in Child Life and either currently do or have worked clinically in the field for several years.
- This program can be designed to fit your personal and professional goals.
Locations
- Ann Arbor
- Online
