Human Ecology, Child Life Concentration, B.S.H.E.

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(Leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree)

The Child Life program, a gateway to the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential, is coordinated with the Association of Child Life Professionals programmatic and educational standards for the child life practitioner.

Application to the Child Life program at Tennessee Technological University is required and should be made in the second semester of sophomore year after completing HEC 2250 and while enrolled in HEC 2550.

The components of eligibility to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination are:

Baccalaureate degree
Complete 10 college courses in specific content areas
- Including child life content taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist
Child Life Clinical Internship (600 hours under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist)

For more details regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Association of Child Life Professional’s website at childlife.org

Curriculum:

Freshman Year

First Semester

ART 1035 - Introduction to Art Credit: 3. or
MUS 1030 - Music Appreciation Credit: 3.
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I Credit: 3.
HEC 1010 - Life Span Development Credit: 3.
HEC 1040 - Connections in Human Ecology Credit: 1. ³
HIST 2010 - Early United States History Credit: 3.
MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics Credit: 3.

Total: 16

Second Semester

COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication Credit: 3. or
PC 2500 - Communicating in the Professions Credit: 3.
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II Credit: 3.
HEC 1005 - Introduction to Human Ecology Credit: 1.
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credit: 3.
PSY 1030 - Introduction to Psychology Credit: 3.
SOC 1010 - Introduction to Sociology Credit: 3.

Total: 16

Sophomore Year

First Semester

BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit: 4.
HEC 2065 - Families in Society Credit: 3.
HEC 2200 - Development of Young Children: Conception to Age 6 Credit: 3.
HEC 2250 - Child Life: Theory and Practice Credit: 3.
HEC 2220 - Medical Terminology for the Human Sciences Credit: 1.

Total: 14

Second Semester

BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit: 4.
ECSP 2400 - Children with Special Needs Credit: 3.
ENGL 2130 - Topics in American Literature Credit: 3. or
ENGL 2235 - Topics in British Literature Credit: 3. or
ENGL 2330 - Topics in World Literature Credit: 3.
HIST 2020 - Modern United States History Credit: 3.
HEC 2550 - Children in Health Care Credit: 3.

Total: 16

Junior Year

First Semester

HEC 2510 - Foundations of Play Credit: 3.
HEC 3100 - Cultural Competence for Professionals Credit: 3.
HEC 3500 - Development: Middle Childhood/Adolescence Credit: 3.
HEC 3525 - Parent-Child Relationships Credit: 3.
HEC 3550 - Child Life Assessment of Children and Families Credit: 3.
HEC 3591 - Introduction to Child Life Clinical Experience Credit: 2.

Total: 17

Second Semester

HEC 3275 - Research in Family Sciences Credit: 3.
HEC 3066 - Family Violence across the Lifespan Credit: 3.
HEC 3560 - Child Life Intervention Strategies Credit: 3.
HEC 3565 - Loss and Bereavement for Children and Families Credit: 3.
HEC 3570 - Child Life Practicum Credit: 1. or
Guided Coursework Credit: 1.
HEC 3700 - Development: Young Adulthood/Aging Credit: 3.

Total: 16

Senior Year

First Semester

HEC 3011 - Consumer Economics Credit: 3.
HEC 4550 - Research Methods and Professional Aspects of Child Life Credit: 3.
HEC 4600 - Theories in Family Development and Relationships Credit: 3.
HEC 4610 - Family Stress Management Credit: 3.
NURS 3050 - Pediatric Illnesses and Related Care Credit: 1.

Total: 13

Second Semester

HEC 4590 - Child Life Clinical Experience Credit: 12. or
Guided Coursework Credit: 12.

Total: 12

Note:

As an Endorsed Academic Program, Tennessee Tech’s Child Life Concentration conforms to the Association of Child Life Professionals standards. In order to graduate with a B.S. degree, Human Ecology, concentration Child Life, the following requirements must be completed prior to graduation.
1.	Students must apply for, be accepted into, and successfully complete a Child Life Practicum under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Child Life Practicum or passing the child life practicum prior to graduation may NOT graduate with a degree in Human Ecology, concentration in Child Life.
2.	Students must apply for a Child Life Clinical Experience (Internship) which is directly supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist. To pass the clinical experience course, students must earn minimal entry-level competence during the internship experience.
3.	HEC 1040 not required for transfer students with more than 12 hours.