Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences - Child Life Specialist Program

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. The degree program is designed for professionals seeking advanced study in one of the specialty areas of family and consumer sciences. The program is recommended for students whose undergraduate degree is also in Family and Consumer Sciences. It is less appropriate for students with undergraduate degrees in more specific areas (such as a B.A. in Apparel, Merchandizing, and Design). The Illinois State Child Life Program prepares students to enter the child life profession by providing ample opportunities to increase their capacity for inquiry, logical thinking, critical analysis, and synthesis as they apply theory to practice in the classroom and at their practicum sites. Students apply for competitive child life internships during the last semester of coursework on campus. Following their internship, students are eligible to take the national Child Life Certification Examination, administered by the Child Life Council (CLC) to become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).