Founded in 1916, Bank Street College of Education is a private college in New York City that offers programs exclusively in education-related fields. The school is home to more than 1,000 students, less than 400 of which are full-time. The school grants a Master of Science degree in child life, which includes one full year of clinical practice in the field. All students must complete a thesis, research project or portfolio prior to graduation. The college prefers to admit individuals to the program who have a history working with children or volunteering with a child life agency.
Bank Street College of Education
610 W. 112th St.
New York, NY 10025
212-875-4473
bankstreet.edu
The University of Utah is a public college in Salt Lake City with more than 21,000 students. Students in the bachelor's of child life program at the university study family dynamics, psychology, child development and statistics. The program focuses exclusively on providing child life services in a health care setting for children dealing with illnesses and injuries. Practicums are available for hands-on clinical experience, but students must apply to participate. To be considered, students must meet a grade point average requirement and show evidence of previous experience working or volunteering with children.
University of Utah
201 South Presidents Circle
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
801-581-7281
utah.edu
In 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Vanderbilt University 17th among all universities in the United States. Founded in 1873, the private Tennessee-based university offers a Master of Education degree in child studies intended to prepare individuals for careers as child life specialists. Only 15 students are admitted to the school at a time, and the program allows students to specialize in a number of areas, such as health care, developmental disabilities and early intervention services. For undergraduate students at Vanderbilt pursuing degrees in education, the college offers a program that allows students to study for a five years and then graduate with both a bachelor's and the master's degree in child studies.
Vanderbilt University
230 Appleton Way
Nashville, TN 37240
800-288-0432
vanderbilt.edu
The Roman Catholic Church founded Edgewood College in 1927 in the town of Madison, Wisconsin. The university's Bachelor of Education in Child Life focuses on providing services for children in health care settings. The program requires all students to study religion, social sciences, medical terminology, health and wellness, children's literature and instructional media. All students in the program complete a one semester clinical rotation followed by a formal one semester full-time internship.
Edgewood College
1000 Edgewood College Drive
Madison, WI 53711
608-663-2294
edgewood.edu