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Child Life Specialist Information

Child Life Specialist Information

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) provide evidence-based interventions to infants, children, youth, and families to ease the stress of undergoing health treatments.

The Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential is an exclusive certification issued by the Association of Child Life Professionals. The requirements for becoming certified are based on academic and clinical experiences, and successful completion of the Child Life Certification Examination.

The FCS department at the University of Utah provides the courses that are pre-requisites to a Child Life Internship (clinical experience). The FCS department at the University of Utah does NOT provide certification.

Undergraduate Information

Complete the requiredHuman Development and Family Studies Major Requirements

  • Note: Classes with the * are required by the Association of Child Life Professionals
  • Classes with the ^ are recommended by the FCS department to fulfill Association of Child Life Professionals requirements

Requirements subject to change. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor frequently.

To make an appointment or learn more about degree requirements, please contact your advisor.

Graduate Information

M.S. in Human Development and Social Policy with course work needed to pursue a Child Life Specialist certification trough the ACLP.

Thesis Option

(36 credits)


Thesis Requirements

Project Option

(36 credits)


Project Requirements

More information on what a Child Life Specialist does

Last Updated: 11/21/24