As a student in the Master of Science (MS) Child Life & Family-Centered Care program at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, you’ll be part of a unique study and fieldwork program designed to prepare you to successfully enter the child life profession. You’ll learn to provide culturally sensitive care to children, youth, and families, and support their psychosocial needs in healthcare settings. You’ll also learn the implementation, documentation, and assessment of developmentally appropriate child life interventions and develop your skills in a clinical setting as an intern.
The MS in Child Life & Family-Centered Care at BU Wheelock prepares students to be certified child life specialists. Upon program completion, you’ll meet and exceed requirements to sit for the child life certification exam. You’ll learn to demonstrate the ability access the needs of children undergoing medical treatment; provide safe, therapeutic, and healing environments for children and families; and implement child life services.
Hear from MS in Child Life & Family-Centered Care Faculty
The master’s program in Child Life & Family prepares students to effectively support children of different ages, cultures, and medical conditions, as well as the needs of their families, in healthcare and community settings.
Dates & Deadlines
Fall 2024 Start
August 15, 2023
Application Opens
Fall 2024 Start
January 15, 2024
Application Closes
Career Outcomes
Boston University’s Child Life & Family-Centered Care program prepares students for careers working with children and families in healthcare settings to help them cope with the challenges of illness, injury, or hospitalization. Our graduates have pursued careers in a wide variety of roles.
- Certified child life specialists working in a wide range of healthcare and community settings
- Advocates for the advancement of the child life profession
- Administrative leadership roles
Featured Faculty
Faculty in the BU Wheelock master’s program in Child Life & Family-Centered Care are experienced certified child life specialists and educators who are respected in the the greater child life professional community. They make it a priority to establish relationships with their students, internship sites, and alumni of the program.
More Information about the MS in Child Life & Family-Centered Care
Field-Based Experiences
Students in the MS program complete two child life internships in healthcare and community settings. Internships are concurrent with academic coursework.
Graduate Admissions
Our Graduate Admissions team has all the information you need to start your application. You can also find out more about specific application requirements for the MS in Child Life & Family-Centered Care.
Financing Your Education
There are many flexible options for financing your BU Wheelock education. Get information about financial aid, including scholarships and fellowships, and sign up for an information session.