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Child Life

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Degree Level
Undergraduate
College
Arts and Sciences
Format
On Ground
Credit Hours
120 hours
Average Time to Degree
4 years

Child Life Major

This degree plan offers a strong background in child development and family systems. The course content aims to promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities appropriate for children. Many of the courses include applications not only for clinical hospital settings but also for other facets of the field such as court and foster care systems, trauma teams, bereavement support services and others. 

Learn more about the Family and Consumer Sciences Department

Why study child life at Harding?

An endorsed program

This degree plan is the only program in Arkansas to be officially endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Student Association

The Family and Consumer Sciences Student Association prepares new professionals by providing opportunities to serve individuals, families, communities and one another in association sponsored programs and service projects.

Growing Demand

Hospitals and pediatric clinics increasingly recognize the importance of child life services, creating job opportunities nationwide.

More Information

The Child Life Major is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals. This recognition assures that the program meets the requirements set forth in the ACLP’s Standards for Academic and Clinical Preparation Programs, confirming that the program’s structure, curriculum, resources, support system, and sustainability are of the highest quality.

Harding’s Nu Delta chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu, a national honor society for family and consumer sciences, provides recognition and honor for distinguished academic achievements and professional growth opportunities through education and service.

Dale and Joan Coleman Endowed Scholarship Fund for Family and Consumer Sciences: Dale and Joan Coleman established this fund to provide scholarships for students majoring in family and consumer sciences at Harding University.

Lisa and Rachel Miller Scholarship: The Lisa and Rachel Miller Scholarship is for family and consumer sciences education majors.

Mildred L. Bell Family and Consumer Sciences Scholarship: Faculty, friends, and family members established this scholarship as a tribute to Dr. Mildred L. Bell, chair of Harding's Department of Home Economics from 1959-1984.

Sharen Crockett Scholarship: Preference is given to child development and child life majors.

Ellis Endowed Development Scholarship: All family consumer sciences majors are eligible to apply.

Cheryl Helms Endowed Scholarship: Must be a nutrition and dietetics, child development, or child life major.

What can you do with a degree in child life?

Pediatric health care support roles

Make a difference in children’s lives in a medical setting through the roles of child life assistant, pediatric patient advocate or family services coordinator.

Child and/or family advocates

Family advocates assist parents, find foster homes for children, advise teachers in schools and serve families in a variety of other roles. As a child or family advocate, you will make a lifelong difference every day by helping strengthen family relationships and support your community. 

Certified Child Life Specialist

Child life specialists work in pediatric hospitals, emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, hospice programs and rehabilitation centers. They help children and families navigate illness, injury, trauma or loss through therapeutic play, education and coping strategies.

We assist individuals, families and communities in making informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life.
Brittany Cumbie

Department Chair

Catalog and Cost

View Classes Cost of Attendance

Contact Information


Family and Consumer Sciences
501-279-4472
fcs@harding.edu