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Help Children, Families Face Health Challenges

Student Teacher with children outdoors in playground.

Students who become certified as child life specialists work in health care settings to assist children and their families in navigating and coping with the stressful experiences of hospitalization, illness, and disability. The 10-course Pathway to Child Life curriculum at UM-Dearborn helps students prepare to take the certification exam from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).

Where a Pathway to Child Life Certification Will Take You

Certification prepares you to work in a range of settings, from pediatric units to surgical theaters to rehabilitation centers. You also can pursue certification in applied behavior analysis, opening even more career prospects in supporting children and families with various social, behavioral, academic, and adaptive behavior needs.
 

Career and Salary Outlook

The information in this table is meant to give you an idea of career opportunities with this degree. All information is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is meant to be averages across the United States. Please note that these figures reflect overall averages and may not represent entry-level salaries.

$60,380 Median Salary

Child Life Specialist

Employment of Child Life Specialists is projected to increase 7% from 2016-2026. About 53,500 openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

$57,120 Median Salary

Recreational Therapist

Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 1,300 openings for recreational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$58,380 Median Salary

Social Worker

Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 63,800 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$54,290 Median Salary

Preschool and Childcare Center Director

Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to decline 3 percent from 2022 to 2032.

Despite declining employment, about 4,600 openings for preschool and childcare center directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Program Details

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