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Transform Lives: Become a Child Life Specialist
Child life specialists are child development experts who work to ensure that life remains as normal as possible for children in healthcare settings and other challenging environments. The Child Life Specialist Co-Major includes coursework required by the Association of Child Life Professionals for eligibility to complete official child life internships and take the Child Life Professional Certification Exam.
Curriculum and Courses
This program addresses the following topics: death, dying, and bereavement; therapeutic/medical play; family dynamics, adolescent development (one of the two child development courses required for certification; and social science research. In addition, students complete a field experience in child life (e.g., volunteer hours with children, child life practicum).
- FSW/SOC 435: Death Studies
- FSW 445: Therapeutic Play
- FSW 475: Family Theories
- FSW 481: Adolescent Development in Diverse Families: Ages 13-25
- FSW 340: Internship
- KNH 245 Issues of Health & Wellness for the Young Child
Admissions Requirements
Beginning Fall 2025, the Child Life Specialist Co-Major will be open to all Miami undergraduate students from any major.