Accelerated Program
Save time and money. Finish with two degrees and gain eligibility to become a Certified Child Life Specialist.
This track is for Missouri State undergraduate students who would like to start their master’s degree coursework as they finish their bachelor’s degree.
- Take courses that count towards both degrees
- Gain a competitive edge by pursuing a MS degree
How it works
If you meet the admission requirements, you can start taking graduate courses in your senior year.
Up to 12 hours of graduate-level credit will count toward both your bachelor’s degree and master's degree.
You’ll take course work for the advanced track.
When to apply
Apply during your junior year. You’re encouraged to apply before you take CFD 510, CFD 557, CFD 562 and CFD 563.
| Course | Title | Credit hours | Type of graduate coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFD 610 | Child Life Theory and Practice | 3 | Required |
| CFD 657 | Growth and Development: Middle Childhood-Adolescence | 3 | Optional support elective |
| CFD 662 | Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect | 3 | Optional support elective |
| CFD 663 | Administration of Programs for Children and Families | 3 | Optional support elective |
MSU Child Life Studies coursework is pre-approved by the Association of Child Life Professionals to meet the 10 course requirements required to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Exam administered by the Child Life Certification Commission.
| Course Categories for Certification | Grad Course(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Family Systems | CFD 761 | Advanced Family Studies |
| Research | CFD 680 | Research Methods in CFD |
| SFR 780 | Educational Research Methodology | |
| Play | CLS 715 | Play and Therapeutic Intervention |
| Loss/Bereavement | CLS 710 | Childhood Death and Bereavement |
| Child Development (includes 2 courses) |
CFD 705 | Growth and Development: Infancy through Early Childhood |
| CFD 657 | Growth and Development: Middle Childhood to Adolescence | |
| Child Life course | CFD 610 | Child Life Theory and Practice |
| Additional course options (must choose 3) | ECE 675 | Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Families in Early Childhood |
| CLS 705 | Aspects of Childhood Illness and Disease | |
| CLS 720 | Trends and Issues in Child Life | |
| CLS 730 | Cultivating a Trauma-Informed Lens | |
