Why Choose the Child Life Professional Concentration at Concordia University Texas?

March is Child Life Month, a time to recognize the many professionals who walk alongside children, individuals, and families during some of life’s hardest moments. It’s also a meaningful opportunity to reflect on related professions, including the growing, deeply impactful field of child life. As Program Director of the Child Life Professional concentration at Concordia Texas, I see every day how important it is to prepare students for careers rooted in compassion, advocacy, and service. For those who feel called to support children and families in healthcare and community settings, our Child Life Professional concentration at Concordia University Texas offers a purposeful path forward.

A Purposeful Path for Future Child Life Specialists

The child life professional concentration at Concordia Texas is designed for students who want to make a difference in the lives of children and families facing illness, injury, trauma, and hospitalization. What makes this program special is that it combines academic preparation, hands-on learning experiences, and a Christ-centered environment that encourages students to lead with both empathy and confidence. Our goal is not only to help students succeed academically but also to help them grow into compassionate leaders ready to serve others.

A Curriculum Designed for the Child Life Profession

One of the greatest strengths of our program is its specialized curriculum. Students complete 27 credit hours of child-life-specific coursework, building a strong foundation in the areas most essential to the profession. This includes child development across age groups, emotional and psychosocial support, therapeutic play and expressive interventions, family systems, healthcare communication, cultural competence, and grief support in pediatric settings. These topics help students understand not only the developmental needs of children, but also the emotional realities families experience in healthcare environments.

Preparing Students for Internship and Certification

We also place strong emphasis on preparing students for the next step in their professional journey. Our program includes a practicum course designed to help students prepare for a postgraduate internship, a key milestone on the path to becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist. After graduation, students must complete a 600-hour internship under a certified supervisor and pass the national certification exam. Because of that, it is so important for students to begin building knowledge, confidence, and practical understanding early in their college experience.

Real-World Learning Opportunities in Austin

Another advantage of studying child life at Concordia is the opportunity students have to connect their learning to real-world settings. Here in Austin, students are close to children’s hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and a growing network of community partners. They also benefit from small class sizes, meaningful faculty mentorship, and opportunities to engage with professionals and organizations serving children and families. That kind of personal support and hands-on exposure can make a lasting difference as students prepare for their future careers.

The Value of a Behavioral Sciences Foundation

I also believe this track is especially valuable because of its interdisciplinary nature. By pairing child life coursework with the Behavioral Sciences major, students gain insight from psychology, sociology, and child development while also developing a service-oriented mindset. This combination helps prepare them for certification goals and for a variety of roles that support children and families in meaningful ways.

Join Us at Concordia University Texas

For students who want a career grounded in compassion, communication, and care, the child life professional concentration at Concordia University Texas is a strong choice. I am proud of the way this program equips students with the academic foundation, practicum experience, and mission-driven support needed to step into work that truly matters. During National Child Life Month and throughout the year, I am grateful for the opportunity to help prepare future professionals to serve children and families with skill, empathy, and purpose.