Normal,
IL,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
MA in Family and Consumer Sciences - Child Life in Normal United States | Illinois State University
Illinois State University
|
Normal United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Masters Degree
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
17,592
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
18 months
The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences provides both Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Family and Consumer Sciences, featuring a specialized Child Life track. This program equips students for careers in child life by fostering skills in research, analytical reasoning, and practical application of theories through classroom learning and hands-on practicum experiences. Our curriculum includes all mandatory and optional courses needed to fulfill the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) certification standards. During their final semester on campus, students in this track apply for competitive child life internships. After completing the internship, graduates become eligible to sit for the national Child Life Certification Exam. The Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) designation, awarded by the Child Life Certification Commission under ACLP, is the sole recognized credential in this field. Our program boasts a 90% first-round internship placement rate, rising to 97% in subsequent application cycles. Participants also gain interdisciplinary experience by working in the Nursing Simulation Lab (NSL) to enhance communication abilities and professional role comprehension.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 6.5
Qualification Requirements
A student applying to a master's program must:
have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. A student applying to this program must:
have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a graduate program.
upload a statement of goals for seeking the degree
Provide names and email addresses for three references, two references should be from an academic source and one should indicate direct experience with children.
Upload a document showing proof of at least 50 hours of hospital experience, preferably including contact with Child Life In addition to the overall university requirements above, international students must also:
present a TOEFL score of no less that 79 on the internet-based test (iBT) or 550 on the paper-based test, or present an overall band score of no less than 6.5 on the IELTS exam. Some departments require higher English proficiency exam scores.
provide a copy of a current and valid passport
have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. A student applying to this program must:
have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a graduate program.
upload a statement of goals for seeking the degree
Provide names and email addresses for three references, two references should be from an academic source and one should indicate direct experience with children.
Upload a document showing proof of at least 50 hours of hospital experience, preferably including contact with Child Life In addition to the overall university requirements above, international students must also:
present a TOEFL score of no less that 79 on the internet-based test (iBT) or 550 on the paper-based test, or present an overall band score of no less than 6.5 on the IELTS exam. Some departments require higher English proficiency exam scores.
provide a copy of a current and valid passport
Tuition
USD
17,592