Online Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care MS
The Online Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care MS prepares students to navigate the changing landscape of the child life profession. The program emphasizes the application of developmental theory and science to children and families experiencing stress or trauma. Certified child life specialists have historically worked mainly in healthcare settings, but stress and trauma can occur beyond these environments. Students will access training that is culturally relevant, trauma-informed, and family-centered. This program will prepare students to work in a variety of healthcare and community-based settings. They will join a growing industry that has a lasting impact on developing children and families.
Find what drives you—join us!
Academic preparation
Gain a strong background in child development, applied research methods, and child life practice.
Online format
Participate in a fully online graduate program that accommodates the needs of working adults.
Psychosocial care
Prepare to work as a child life specialist serving children and families experiencing stress and trauma in a variety of settings.
Internship partners
Enroll in a program with established regional internship partners.
We're driven to make a difference
Quote from Jeanine Clapsaddle
As a Certified Child Life Specialist for over 30 years, I have had the privilege of serving incredibly diverse patient, family and healthcare systems. As a clinician, this profession fuels my commitment to creativity and innovation that facilitate optimal outcomes for children and their families. As an instructor, I value the dynamic and relational process that encourages curiosity, enhances critical thinking, and fosters mutual engagement among instructors and students.
About the Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care MS
Our program prepares students to become skilled child life specialists and psychosocial leaders in the field. Whether you're just starting out or already a Certified Child Life Specialist, you’ll get advanced training to provide ethical, evidence-based care for children, teens, and families dealing with health-related challenges. You'll build strong skills in research evaluation and apply knowledge from developmental psychology to support diverse communities. You will be prepared to take on a leadership role in a variety of healthcare and community-based settings.
To learn more about what child life specialists do and the professional standards for the field, visit the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) website.
CPSY 5301: Advanced Developmental Psychology
CPSY 5302: Cognitive and Biological Development
CPSY 5303: Social and Emotional Development
CPSY 5304: Research Methods in Applied Child and Adolescent Development
CPSY 5306: Ethics and Professionalism in Applied Child and Adolescent Development
CPSY 5601: Child Life: History, Theory, and Practice
CPSY 5602: Developmental Perspectives on Illness and Injury in Healthcare
CPSY 5603: Therapeutic Play for Child Life Practice
CPSY 5604: Therapeutic Relationships: Supporting Children in Healthcare
CPSY 5606: Clinical Preparation
CPSY 5707: Clinical Professionalism and Development
CPSY 5605: Childhood Death and Bereavement
Students select a statistics course in consultation with the advisor to learn to read and interpret research results related to the child life field.
Students participate in a supervised, introductory experience in a child life setting that prepares students for a full child life internship.
To graduate, you must complete a 600-hour clinical internship within two years of finishing coursework. The process of securing and completing an internship is integrated into our program as academic coursework, so you'll continue to receive support from our academic and student services team as you fulfill the internship requirements.
- Students living in the Twin Cities qualify for a clinical internship position at one of our regional partners: Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, or Coping Copilots, a partner of the Institute of Child Development MA program.
- Students can choose to identify and apply for internships that are accessible to them.
Practicing child life specialists
If you’re already a Certified Child Life Specialist, you won’t be required to complete an internship. You’ll work with your advisor to develop an individual academic focus and capstone project in a specialized area of child life, such as leadership, program development, or a specific population relevant to your professional goals and interests.
Our program is designed to assist students with achieving mastery of the 152 ACLP competencies at all three cognitive complexity levels. Learn more about the curriculum.
Careers
With your degree in child life and pediatric psychosocial care, you’ll be prepared to pursue a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Our program prepares future professionals to work not only in healthcare settings but also in fields such as:
- Elementary and secondary education
- Child advocacy
- Adoption and foster care
- Nonprofits
- Behavioral health
- Grief and loss
- Palliative and hospice care
- Organ donation
- Juvenile and criminal justice
- Human trafficking
- First responders
- Disaster relief
If you’re already a practicing child life specialist, you’ll get the training you need to take the next step in your career.
Salary outlook
A Certified Child Life Specialist's salary may vary based on region, medical environment, and number of years as a child life specialist. Individuals with a child life master's degree often earn more than their peers.
Salary information: Association of Child Life Professionals 2021 Salary Survey
Program information
Admissions timeline
Deadline for applications: February 15
If admitted, you'll start the program in the summer semester. The summer semester begins in early June. View the University of Minnesota's academic calendar for specific summer session dates.
Admissions requirements
You’re eligible to apply if you’ve completed:
- a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, earned prior to the summer start of the MS program. Preferred GPA: 3.00.
- at least one psychology course (lifespan, child, or developmental psychology preferred) or human development course, grade B or higher. If you're a student at the University of Minnesota (U of M), we encourage you to take CPSY 2301: Intro to Developmental Psychology.
- an introduction to child life course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist instructor, grade B or higher. At the U of M, we offer CPSY 3601: Intro to Child Life every semester.
- If you are a current U of M undergraduate student, you can enroll in CPSY 3601 in either fall or spring semester.
- If you are not a current U of M student, learn more about enrolling in CPSY 3601 as a non-degree seeking student here.
100 combined hours of direct interaction with children, youth, and families experiencing health-related services in a healthcare and/or community-based setting.
How to apply
Review application instructions before beginning your application. To apply for our program, submit all materials electronically through the University of Minnesota’s online application system. We cannot review your application until you submit all of the materials listed.
GRE test scores
We do not require GRE scores.
Admissions interview
After initial review of applications, select candidates will be invited for a virtual interview. Our program conducts interviews to assess applicant’s motivation, background, career goals, and ability to handle academic challenges. Interviews are conducted in March.
Information for international students
This program is designed to be completed entirely in your home country. This program does not provide visas to come to the United States to study or complete internship requirements.
English language proficiency requirement
Students whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Demonstration of proficiency is met through either the TOEFL or the IELTS.
English language test minimum scores for the Institute of Child Development:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
- Speaking score of 27 or higher
- Writing Subscore: 21
- Reading Subscore: 19
- Total Score: 79
International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
- Speaking score of 8.5 or higher
- Writing Subscore: 6.5
- Reading Subscore: 6.5
- Total Score: 6.5
View the University of Minnesota's English language proficiency information.
You’ll need to enter your self-reported TOEFL or IELTS scores in the online application and send your official electronic scores to the University of Minnesota:
- TOEFL ETS institution code: 6874
- IELTS score recipient
- Institution/Organization—University of Minnesota Graduate Admissions
- Department/Person—All Campuses
Exceptions to TOEFL and IELTS tests
Academic exception
Non-native English speakers who completed the entirety of their undergraduate degree (four years) in an English-speaking country within the last five years do not need to demonstrate English language proficiency through an English language test.
English language proficiency exemption
Applicants who have English as a first language from a country on the English proficiency exemption list are exempted from submitting proof of English proficiency.
Tuition and funding
Students who take all their courses online qualify for the Minnesota resident tuition rate. Tuition for our child life program is set according to the post-baccalaureate tuition rates in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
Additional resources
Before you begin
Before you begin the online application, gather the following materials:
- Unofficial transcripts are required for all institutions you have attended. Review the University of Minnesota Graduate School's unofficial transcript requirements.
- Resume or CV
- Personal statement: Review our personal statement prompts to learn more about the required statement information and format.
- ACLP child life course verification form: Complete the ACLP child life course verification form, get it signed by your Certified Child Life Specialist instructor, and upload the form in the program materials section.
- 100 hours of experiences with children, youth, and families: Add experience details for at least 100 combined hours of direct interaction with children, youth, and families experiencing health-related services in a healthcare and/or community-based setting.
- Diversity statement: Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the U of M’s mission. Complete a one-page statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program. Include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed. Please do not exceed one page in length.
- Three letters of recommendation: Identify and get contact information for three people who will serve as your recommenders. One of your three letters of recommendation should be from someone who can speak to your direct interactions with children and families. Share our letter of recommendation prompts with them. We suggest that you seek additional recommendations from the following:
- College instructor, advisor, or mentor
- Employer
- Another academic reference or, if that’s not possible, a personal reference from someone who has known you for five years or longer but is not a family member
- Application Fee: $75 ($95 for international applicants). Must be paid online with credit card.
For any questions, please contact icdapply@umn.edu.
Questions?
Email our admissions staff at icdapply@umn.edu.
Are you interested in taking a graduate course but aren't a student at the University of Minnesota? Visit OneStop Student Services to learn more about how to register.