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Child Life

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Arts and Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences
Degree Level
Undergraduate
College
Arts and Sciences
Format
On Ground
Credit Hours
120 hours
Average Time to Degree
4 years

Child Life Major

This degree plan offers a strong background in child development and family systems. The course content aims to promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities appropriate for children. Many of the courses include applications not only for clinical hospital settings but also for other facets of the field such as court and foster care systems, trauma teams, bereavement support services and others. 

Learn more about Family and Consumer Sciences

Why study child life at Harding?

An endorsed program

This degree plan is the only program in Arkansas to be officially endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Student Association

The Family and Consumer Sciences Student Association prepares new professionals by providing opportunities to serve individuals, families, communities and one another in association sponsored programs and service projects.

Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics facilitates trips to local and state professional meetings, guest speakers in the area of dietetics and nutrition, and service projects aimed to have a positive impact on the campus and community.

More Information

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Harding University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400, E-mail: ACEND@eatright.org, Website: www.eatrightpro.org/acend). Effective Fall 2021, the Harding University Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)) will no longer be available to new students. Learn more about the Didactic Program in Dietetics Transitional Plans in the catalog.

The Master of Science in Applied Dietetics Practice Program at Harding University is a candidacy program seeking accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400, E-mail: ACEND@eatright.org, Website: www.eatrightpro.org/acend).

The Child Life Major is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals through April 2024. This recognition assures that the program meets the requirements set forth in the ACLP’s Standards for Academic and Clinical Preparation Programs, confirming that the program’s structure, curriculum, resources, support system, and sustainability are of the highest quality.

Harding’s Nu Delta chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu, a national honor society for family and consumer sciences, provides recognition and honor for distinguished academic achievements and professional growth opportunities through education and service.

Dale and Joan Coleman Endowed Scholarship Fund for Family and Consumer Sciences: Dale and Joan Coleman established this fund to provide scholarships for students majoring in family and consumer sciences at Harding University.

Lisa and Rachel Miller Scholarship: The Lisa and Rachel Miller Scholarship is for family and consumer sciences education majors.

Mildred L. Bell Family and Consumer Sciences Scholarship: Faculty, friends, and family members established this scholarship as a tribute to Dr. Mildred L. Bell, chair of Harding's Department of Home Economics from 1959-1984.

Sharen Crockett Scholarship: Preference is given to child development and child life majors.

Ellis Endowed Development Scholarship: All family consumer sciences majors are eligible to apply.

Cheryl Helms Endowed Scholarship: Must be a nutrition and dietetics, child development, or child life major.

What can you do with a degree in child development?

Adoption or foster care case workers

Case workers support families and children in foster care and those who want to adopt by walking through each process with them. In this role, you will contribute to positive change in the lives of many as you prioritze the best interests and well-being of the children involved. 

Child and/or family advocates

Family advocates assist parents, find foster homes for children, advise teachers in schools and serve families in a variety of other roles. As a child or family advocate, you will make a lifelong difference every day by helping strengthen family relationships and support your community. 

Child care directors

As a child care director, you will be responsible for developing and facilitating programs for preschool children. This includes designing and overseeing instructional and recreational activities as well as supervising staff and preparing budgets.

We assist individuals, families and communities in making informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life.
Brittany Cumbie

Department Chair

View the Catalog

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Contact Information


Family and Consumer Sciences
501-279-4472
fcs@harding.edu