Child Life Specialist

HomeCareersChild Life Specialist

“It would be my wish that the public recognized every essential aspect of play, its impact on the developing child, and its benefits when used by a child life specialist in a traumatic and scary situation.”

Carolyn Kurker Gallagher, Clinical Instructor in Child Life & Family-centered Care, Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development

A child life specialist is a healthcare provider who works with children during illness, injury, or hospitalization. They help ensure that children and their families have the best possible experience in the hospital. Child life specialists are educated and clinically trained in the developmental impact of illness and injury and use play, education, and other techniques to help reduce children’s fear, anxiety, and pain.

An example of a work environment for child life specialists is the MR-I Can Do It program at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan. It features an aquatic-themed MRI machine that gamifies a claustrophobic medical procedure to help children stay still so that technicians get the most accurate imaging results.

A child life specialist balances mental and physical health while working alongside children and their families. Child life specialists can meet with patients and families before scheduled surgeries or procedures to provide developmentally appropriate information about what will happen during the medical experience. They also offer emotional support for children and their families throughout the process and, if needed, grief and bereavement care.

In addition to providing emotional support, child life specialists also provide educational materials on health topics such as nutrition, hygiene, safety, growth and development, coping skills, and stress management. They also offer therapeutic activities such as art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, and distraction techniques.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track occupational data for this profession, but the closest equivalent is a social worker. The BLS (2023) predicts that there will be a 7 percent increase in demand for social workers from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average growth rate of all occupations at 4 percent.

Read on to learn more about how to pursue a career as a child life specialist, including a step-by-step guide, salary, and daily responsibilities.

Meet the Expert: Carolyn Kurker Gallagher

Carolyn Kurker Gallagher is a clinical instructor in child life & family-centered care at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. She teaches graduate child life classes and is also the child life field experience coordinator for current students completing internship experiences in hospital and community settings.

Professor Gallagher is a certified child life specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience working in hospitals with children and families. She diligently advocated to offer a “Parent in the OR” program during her tenure at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and successfully began a child life program in the pediatric emergency department at Boston Medical Center. She also worked at Newton Wellesley Hospital in their pediatric emergency department, offering play, support, and preparation to patients and their families.

Professor Gallagher’s interests include play, pain management, family-centered care, advocacy for optimal pediatric care, alternative applications for child life programming, and clinical and academic collaboration in the child life profession.

HealthcareDegree.com: What is something that you wish the public understood about child life specialists?

Professor Gallagher: There are many things that I hope the public understands about a child life specialist. Maybe the in-depth training that is required to meet the unique needs of children and families impacted by illness and trauma. Or the deep understanding and knowledge of developmental theory, family systems, cultural competence, and trauma response.

But what is most important to me is understanding the value of play! Play is universal. Play is fun. It contains no barriers. It is natural. It can calm, engage, and teach. It nurtures thoughtful relationships and provides a way to communicate with a patient and family.

It would be my wish that the public recognized every essential aspect of play, its impact on the developing child, and its benefits when used by a child life specialist in a traumatic and scary situation.

The history of CL is rooted in play, and in the early days of the profession, child life was synonymous with the term “play lady.” This term referred to the women who led the charge to care for the whole child in health care settings.

There is evidence to suggest that one of the first “play ladies” was in the early 1900s at Massachusetts General Hospital. According to their website, Dr. Fritz Talbot founded the Children’s Medical Service and appointed the first “play lady” in 1910. This role of “play lady” would eventually evolve into what is now known as a child life specialist. In the early days of child life, the work of these pioneering “play ladies” provided preliminary evidence that hospital play had unique benefits that could foster successful medical and personal outcomes for hospitalized children.

Professionally, the term “play lady” had negative connotations associated with it, perhaps because of its sexist nature or belittling of the actual work of the child life specialist. This makes perfect sense, and the transition to the professional title of child life specialist was necessary and important. But for children and families, the term “play lady” was endearing and representational of the professional, yet caring, relationship that existed between patient, family and child life specialist.

Today, we live in a very different world than we did 100 years ago. The shifting medical landscape is wide-ranging with advancements in medication and technology. But even as child life specialists also continue to evolve and diversify, they maintain clear knowledge and skills of what the early “play ladies” set forth as examples. Dedicated and respected professionals within hospital and community settings, child life specialists continue to incorporate play as a supportive intervention and essential component to meet the social and emotional needs of children and families.

It would be wonderful to have play recognized by the public for its importance in caring for children and families in the health care arena.

HealthcareDegree.com: What advice do you have for aspiring child life specialist students?

Professor Gallagher: Wheelock College, now a part of Boston University, was the first child life academic program (1972) and the first to be endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals. For more than 50 years, the program has supported the development of future child life specialists.

For aspiring child life specialists, my most important advice is to be patient and understand that becoming a child life specialist takes time, dedication and academic knowledge. An aspiring child life specialist may want to gain hands-on experience through volunteering. This opportunity allows the student to explore the profession and gain real-world experience.

To become fully competent in entry-level professional skills, a rising student will want to develop a strong understanding of child development and CL professional requirements that they can obtain in an academic program. An internship opportunity is important to allow the rising child life specialist the opportunity to apply theoretical skills to practice. Be open to making mistakes, receiving feedback, and moving forward.

Start now—learn all you can about the profession. Become an active member of the ACLP and other local child life organizations, participating in their programming and learning opportunities. Network with others and ask questions.

Good luck on your journey of becoming a child life specialist!

How to Become a Child Life Specialist

There are several pathways to becoming a child life specialist, but the following guide clarifies the education, training, and certification needed to become a child life specialist.

Step 1: Earn a high school diploma or GRE (four years)

High school students interested in working with children in healthcare settings should take biology, sociology, and psychology classes to provide a solid foundation. Volunteer work in early childhood education or a pediatric healthcare setting will also offer helpful insights into the inner workings of children and families experiencing a health crisis.

Step 2: Each a bachelor’s degree (four years)

Most employers require child life specialists to have at least a bachelor’s degree or 10 undergraduate-level classes in child life development to be eligible for certification by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).

Here are examples of four early childhood education or related undergraduate programs. Please note that the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) lists selected endorsed programs. Completing an ACLP-endorsed program is not a requirement for certification eligibility, but it will eliminate a coursework audit to apply for the exam.

University of Arizona Global Campus – Online BA in Child Development

The University of Arizona provides students with a comprehensive bachelor of arts education that equips them to thrive in the field of child life specialists and related professions like special education and teaching. The program consists of three components: 43 general education credits, 39 major credit requirements, and 38 elective credits.

Students are introduced to essential knowledge for success through core courses covering math, language, science, etc. Elective classes offer additional growth as staff/faculty can support specific student interests by recommending individualized pathways for students’ interests. The BA in child development (BACD) curriculum aligns with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards for early childhood professional preparation programs. BACD can pursue many different career paths such as preschool and K-12 teaching and educational staff. Graduates can also become child life specialists, family advocates, and Transitional Kindergarten teachers.

Location: Tucson, AZ
Duration: Four years, 120 credits
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Texas Tech University – On-Campus BS in Early Childhood Education

The University of Texas Tech offers a unique bachelor of science program combining traditional education with real-world experience. With an emphasis on pre-K to sixth-grade learning, students can develop the skills and knowledge needed for successful teaching positions in Texas.

This invaluable training includes lab work focused on developing educational environments and actual field placements at local schools, giving aspiring teachers and child life specialists unparalleled insight into this challenging but rewarding profession.

Location: Lubbock, TX
Duration: Four years
Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

University of Washington – Online BA in Early Care & Education

At the University of Washington, students in the online bachelor of arts early care and education degree completion program can access high-quality academic and practical training experience. Through courses on equity in care and development, curriculum creation, senior projects, disabilities awareness – or any combination thereof – individuals can obtain 45 credits before enrollment with credit earned either at UW or other transfer-compatible institutions.

Location: Seattle, WA
Duration: Two to three years, 87 credits
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

University of Alabama – Online BS in Early Childhood Education

The University of Alabama offers an online bachelor of science program in early childhood education, covering 120 credit hours to give students the most thorough learning experience. Courses include life span human development, foundations of education, and educational statistics delivered though the flexible curricular design for those already working in or adjacent fields related to this field.

In addition, a six-credit internship requirement guarantees that face-to-face practical experiences back up theoretical training from on-campus Child Development Research Center (CDRC) classes: a 64,000-square-foot facility with teaching and research classrooms, observation booths, and a research playground.

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Duration: Three to four years, 120 credits
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Please see our list of online bachelor’s degree programs in psychology for more four-year degree options.

Step 3: Gain practical experience (timeline varies)

While obtaining a degree, students should know that schoolwork is not the only necessary part of finding a job. Networking, testing curriculums, and asking for advice from staff and faculty will significantly increase the chances of future success.

At places like the University of Alabama, facilities are on campus to test and research in person, which can be a vital experience for prospective workers. Additionally, volunteer or part-time work at a school or hospital will be valuable for resume-building and lived experience. Finally, having references from those places and having your own experience will help in the job interviewing process later.

Step 4: Complete an ACLP eligibility assessment (timeline varies)

Those who did not attend an ACLP-endorsed undergraduate program must have their educational qualifications assessed by ACLP before taking the certification exam. To qualify, courses must be completed with a grade. The fee for this step is $80.

Step 5: Complete a 600-hour clinical internship (timeline varies)

Applying to an ACLP-endorsed internship is the best way to gain all the theoretical and practical experience necessary for certification eligibility. Clinical internships are experiential and focus on developing independent skills in children.

Step 6: Take the ACLP certification exam (timeline varies)

Hospitals may hire a new child life specialist before sitting for the certification exam, provided all eligibility requirements are met.

The ACLP Child Life Specialist certification exam has several eligibility requirements. These include earning a bachelor’s degree in any field of study before registration and completing specialized coursework and a 600-hour clinical internship supervised by certified childhood life specialists.

Step 7: Consider a master’s degree program (two years)

Finally, for those who wish to increase their expertise and earning power, a master’s degree program in child life, development, family-centered care, or a similar field is advisable.

Boston University – MS in Child Life & Family-Centered Care

Boston University offers a master of science in child life and family-centered care through its Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. This three-semester program offers instruction in child development and family in healthcare, methods and materials of child life, clinical issues in child development and child life, bereavement care, working with parents, and the meaning and development of play, among other topics.

Location: Boston, MA
Duration: Two years, 48 credits
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

What Do Child Life Specialists Do?

Child life specialists help children and their families cope with traumatic medical experiences. Daily responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Assist with healthcare decisions for families
Give guidance to families about coping with the emotional aspects of the medical experience
Perform developmentally appropriate play activities for children
Provide emotional support to children and their families during medical experiences

How Much Do Child Life Specialists Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child life specialists are classified as social workers. Specifically, the BLS shows the average yearly salary for healthcare social workers is significantly higher at $62,940 (BLS May 2023).

Salary amounts depend on factors such as education, experience, and cost of living in a particular area. Here are the salary percentiles for social workers based the latest BLS data available as of March 2025:

Average annual salary (mean): $68,800
10th percentile: $39,580
25th percentile: $47,770
50th percentile (median): $63,770
75th percentile: $87,730
90th percentile: $104,580

Data from Salary.com (March 2025) shows that child life specialists earn an average annual salary of $60,426, with the 10th percentile earning $48,476 (or less) and the 90th percentile earning $74,441 (or more).

Child Life Specialist Associations & Resources

To learn more about education, certification, and professional organizations for child life specialists, here are some helpful resources:

Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP): Professional development and advocacy organization for child life specialists
Child Life Council: Certifying body for becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist
edX: A free, massive open online course (MOOC) titled: Handling Children in a Healthcare Setting, published by the National University of Singapore
World Health Organization: A PDF pocket book for child life specialists to reference when working with families confronting common childhood illnesses
Kids Health: A bilingual website of resources focused on the physical, emotional, and social health of children and families, available in English and Spanish

Kimmy Gustafson

Writer

At CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.

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