Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in Applied Behavioral Science with a concentration in Child Life Specialty. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of applied behavioral science and its application in child life settings.

Program Requirements

The BGS in Applied Behavioral Science with a concentration in Child Life Specialty requires the completion of 120 hours of coursework, including 45 hours at the junior/senior level. The program includes a combination of core courses, concentration requirements, and elective hours.

• Core courses:
  • ABSC 100 or 101 (Major Requirement; Core 34: Social and Behavior Science)
  • ABSC 160 (Concentration Requirement)
  • ABSC 304 (Major Requirement)
  • ABSC 308 (Major Requirement)
  • ABSC 509 (Major Requirement; Capstone Course)
• Concentration requirements:
  • ABSC 309 (Concentration Requirement)
  • ABSC 529 (Concentration Requirement)
  • ABSC 626 (Concentration Requirement)
  • ABSC 683 (Practicum Requirement; Capstone Course)
• Elective hours:
  • 6 hours of ABSC Concentration Area elective courses are required

Program Structure

The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of applied behavioral science and its application in child life settings. The program includes a combination of coursework, practicum experiences, and elective hours.

• Freshman year:
  • Fall: Core 34: Math and Statistics, Core 34: English, Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours, ABSC 160
  • Spring: Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours, Core 34: English, ABSC 100 or 101, Core 34: Communications
• Sophomore year:
  • Fall: Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours, Core 34: Arts and Humanities, Core 34: US Culture, ABSC 304
  • Spring: Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours, Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences, ABSC 308, ABSC 309
• Junior year:
  • Fall: Core 34: Global Culture, ABSC 529, Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours
  • Spring: Core 34: Arts and Humanities, ABSC 509, ABSC 626, Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours
• Senior year:
  • Fall: ABSC 683, ABSC 380, Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours
  • Spring: ABSC 675, ABSC Concentration Elective, Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours

Certification

Students who wish to sit for the Child Life Specialty Certification Exam administered by the Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP) are encouraged to consult the ACLP's eligibility requirements webpage and plan their electives to meet these requirements. The ACLP requires a 600-hour internship supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist, which must be arranged outside of the degree requirements.

Notes

• This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require specific Core 34: Systemwide General Education courses.
• Students must complete a 600-hour internship supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist to be eligible for the Child Life Specialty Certification Exam.
• The program includes a combination of coursework, practicum experiences, and elective hours to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of applied behavioral science and its application in child life settings.