BS in Psychology – Child Life Specialist Degree

Are you passionate about working with children and helping families through traumatic life experiences? Maybe you’d like to pursue your child life specialist certification and complete a child life specialist college program that can help you provide child and family-centered care to various populations. If this sounds like you, Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology – Child Life Specialist degree is a great option!

Our psychology and child life specialist degree program can help provide great training to pursue God’s calling on your life. With our bachelor’s degree in psychology – child life specialist, you can study how to support young patients and their families through times of crisis.

Are you passionate about promoting the well-being of children and their families? Maybe you have personal experience with the hospitalization of a young loved one, close friend, your own child, or even yourself. Perhaps you understand the fear and uncertainty that consumes loved ones during these traumatic times.

This degree program can help provide you with knowledge and skills to work with families during healthcare emergencies and challenges. If you’re wondering how to become a child life specialist, Liberty’s BS in Psychology – Child Life Specialist degree is a great place to start!

120

Credit Hours

View Courses

Next start date: Aug 18, 2025

Degree SACSCOC

Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC


Prepare for Licensure

Completion of our child life specialist degree provides the knowledge and experience you need to sit for the national certification exam to become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).

Connect and Engage with Club Psych

Club Psych, our psychology club, offers you the opportunity to connect with professors and peers who share your passion for the field.

Through engaging activities, discussions, and events, you can deepen your understanding of psychology while building valuable relationships.

Experience Hands-on Training

You can gain valuable hands-on experience through psychology events, internships, and academic trips to destinations like Ecuador, New York, and Poland, expanding your practical training and global perspective.

Have Mentored Research Opportunities

As an undergraduate student, you can benefit from faculty-student mentoring while working on research projects, with the opportunity to contribute to studies that have the potential for publication.


Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Child Life Specialist can help prepare you for the following occupations:

  • Child development psychologist
  • Child life specialist
  • Counselor/psychologist with a private practice
  • Healthcare counselor
  • Residential treatment counselor/psychologist

*Note: Graduate training and licensure are typically required to become a professional counselor or psychologist. While this degree program is designed to help prepare you for the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) examination, it is not designed to result in counseling licensure.

Bachelor's In Psychology Child Life Specialist
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At Liberty, we aim to provide you with a psychology and child life degree that can help prepare you to pursue a graduate, psychology-related degree or start your career upon graduation. Our child life specialist degree provides foundational training in psychology-related subjects as well as more specialized knowledge for a role as a specialist in child development.

Our foundational courses in psychology provide training in the following topics:

  • Abnormal psychology
  • Behavioral modification
  • Multicultural counseling and research issues
  • Psychological measurement
  • Psychology of personality
  • Social psychology

Additionally, the child life specialization focuses on courses related to childhood development and healthcare needs. These classes, along with your required internship, can help equip you with the training, skills, and abilities to begin your journey as a child life professional. The time to prepare for the future is now. Partner with us to begin a rewarding career in child psychology.

Degree Information

Career-Focused Education

Our goal is to prepare you with skills, knowledge, and confidence to begin your professional journey after graduation. That’s why our child life specialist degree is carefully designed to support you throughout your education. We provide comprehensive resources to help you complete your degree and take the next step into your professional role.

Expert Faculty Support

One of the greatest strengths of our program is the dedicated faculty who bring years of real-world experience. With backgrounds in counseling, psychology, and human services – and holding advanced degrees in their fields – our professors are committed to your growth. They serve not only as instructors but also as mentors who are passionate about guiding you toward your goals.

Hands-On Internship Experience

A key component of our program is the internship, which provides you with invaluable practical experience. This real-world training helps bridge the gap between classroom experiences and professional application. By engaging directly in the field, you can build confidence and be ready for life after graduation.

A Strong Start to Your Future

We are committed to setting you up for a role as a child life specialist. From the classroom to your internship experience, everything is designed with your future in mind. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.

Every application is reviewed by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis, meaning there are no set minimums for acceptance. However, all applicants must submit the following documents* for admission:

  • Admission application
  • Official high school transcripts
  • Official college transcripts (if applicable)
  • Admission essay