Overview

The M.A. Child Life at Eastern Washington University provides students with the specialised clinical and theoretical expertise required to support children and families navigating stressful healthcare experiences. This master's degree focuses on developmental theory, therapeutic play, and family-centred care to ensure graduates are prepared for professional certification and practice.

Students engage with a curriculum that bridges the gap between psychological theory and clinical application. The programme emphasises the importance of evidence-based practice, ensuring that practitioners can effectively reduce trauma and promote coping strategies for paediatric patients across various medical environments.

Why Child Life at Eastern Washington University?

Eastern Washington University offers a robust academic environment that prioritises the psychosocial needs of children. The programme is distinguished by its alignment with professional standards, providing students with the necessary academic foundation to meet the requirements of the Association of Child Life Professionals.

The faculty brings extensive clinical experience to the classroom, offering mentorship that helps students navigate the complexities of paediatric healthcare. Students benefit from a curriculum that is specifically tailored to modern clinical demands, focusing on advocacy, ethics, and cultural competence in family support.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 28164 per year
National fee: USD 28164 per year
Local fee: USD 12780 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum covers essential topics in paediatric psychosocial care and developmental support. Modules may include:

Child Life Theory and Practice
Developmental Perspectives on Illness and Injury
Family Systems and Dynamics
Therapeutic Play
Research Methods in Child Studies
Grief and Loss Support
Paediatric Anatomy and Medical Terminology
Professional Ethics and Leadership

Careers with Child Life

Graduates of this programme are prepared for diverse roles within the paediatric healthcare sector. The primary career path is becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist, working in children's hospitals, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics to support young patients during medical procedures.

Beyond traditional hospital settings, alumni may find opportunities in community-based organisations, hospice care, and bereavement centres. The skills acquired also translate well to roles in developmental advocacy, specialised education, and family support services, where an expert understanding of child stress and coping is required.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In Childhood

Trauma-informed Care With Children And Families

Mindfulness And Alternative Practices For Working With Children

Development Of Community-based Programs For Children

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-25 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2027-01-06 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2027-03-31 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2027-06-23 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

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Credits

44 alternative credits

44-51 Quarter credits

Delivered

On Campus, Online

Campus Location

Cheney, United States

Disciplines

Childhood Studies View 73 other Masters in Childhood Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To apply for this program you must have one of the following:
A degree from EWU in Children’s Studies or Child Life & Health.
Completed all ACLP academic requirements for certification eligibility.
If you have some ACLP requirements met, you can be provisionally admitted to complete the remainder of your requirements.
If you meet one of the criteria above, get started on your application. If you don’t meet any of the above criteria, please fill out an EWU post-baccalaureate application instead.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

28164 USD / year

≈ 28164 USD / year
Out-of-State

28164 USD / year

≈ 28164 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12780 USD / year

≈ 12780 USD / year

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Child Life.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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