|
Academic Programs Overview | Degree Programs | Course Descriptions
Academic Calendar | Schedule of Classes | Graduate School Catalogue
Child Life
Troy Pinkney-Ragsdale, Director: 212-875-4473
Master of Science: 43 credits
This 43-credit Child Life Program prepares students for careers as Child Life Specialists in both hospital and community health care environments. You will develop the skills necessary to promote family-centered care and you will learn how to work with children and their families who are living with the realities of chronic or terminal illness, surgery, trauma, injuries and disabilities.
You will also learn developmentally appropriate ways of working in hospitals and other health care settings. Through the program, you will gain an understanding of medical issues coupled with a firm grounding in practice. This combination of theory and practice serves as an excellent support for child life specialists who work with children, youth and families. You will learn to advocate for children and their families, prepare children for medical procedures, teach children about their illness, minimize stress and anxiety for children and their families, create opportunities that strengthen self-esteem and independence, provide non-pharmacological techniques to comfort children, and provide normal life experiences that promote optimal growth and development.
Certification
Child Life Professional Certification is granted by the Child Life Council. Upon completion of our Child Life master's degree, graduates will have satisfied the course requirements, will have completed the mandated 560-to-600-hour internship in Child Life facilities directed by certified Child Life professionals, and will be prepared to take the certification examination given by the Child Life Council. The Child Life Certification Exam is given twice a year (spring and fall) at selected locations. For more information, contact the Child Life Council at 301-881-7090 or www.childlife.org.
Clinical Experience and Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement
Clinical Experience and Supervised Fieldwork provide a full year of concentrated fieldwork that is jointly supervised by Bank Street faculty and certified Child Life specialists in health care settings. Child Life students will join other students in conference group participation.
Throughout your year of supervised fieldwork/advisement, your advisor will visit you in your setting each month. You will meet individually twice a month with your Bank Street advisor, and you will gather with a small, supportive peer group once a week throughout the fall and spring terms. The year of supervision and advisement is central to your professional growth and development as you become a successful Child Life specialist.
Integrative Master's Project
Before graduating, you will complete an independent study (master's thesis), directed essay or portfolio. Your choice will depend on your own goals and learning style. This project allows you to pursue an area of particular interest to you, or to weave together the threads and understandings of your Bank Street graduate experience.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Child Life program need to have completed a bachelor's degree and to demonstrate experience working with children. Volunteer experience in a Child Life program is encouraged. Students are required to complete 70 hours of volunteer work in a Child Life setting before commencing SFW/A at Bank Street.
Further information
- Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions (212-875-4404) to ask questions or to schedule an informational interview.
- Download a printable flyer for this program, including course sequencing and requirements.
|
|
