BA in Applied Behavioral Science with concentration in Child Life Specialty
Admission to this program has been suspended for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in Applied Behavioral Science with a concentration in Child Life Specialty. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill Core 34 Goals, please visit the KU Core 34 page.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ABSC 100 or 101 (Major Requirement; Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE))050** | 3 | ABSC 160 (Concentration Requirement) | 3 |
| MATH 101 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| 1st Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 | 2nd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ABSC 304 (Major Requirement) | 3 | ABSC 308 (Major Requirement) | 4 |
| 3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 3 | ABSC 309 (Concentration Requirement) | 3 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | 4th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language, unless req for mjr (BA Second Language)1 | 3 |
| Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)040 | 4-5 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavioral Science (SGE)050 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14-15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ABSC 529 (Concentration Requirement) | 3 | ABSC 509 (Major Requirement; Capstone Course) | 3 |
| Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | ABSC 626 (Concentration Requirement) | 3 |
| ABSC 300+ Concentration Elective3 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ABSC 683 (Practicum Requirement; Capstone Course)4 | 3 | ABSC 675 (Practicum Requirement; Capstone Course)4 | 3-4 |
| ABSC 300+ Concentration Elective3 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12-13 | ||
| Total Hours 120-122 | |||
- 1
For students completing the language requirement via the 3+1 language option, note that many first semester languages are 5 credit hours
- 2
Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
- 3
6 hours of ABSC Concentration Area elective courses are required. Visit the degree requirements tab for a list of approved courses.
- 4
This practicum requires a two-semester commitment (three credit hours each semester); three of which must be ABSC 683. Space may be limited and enrollment may depend on the date of indication of interest.
Please note:
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.
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. Students may elect to take other courses (instead of those required by ACLP) to complete the concentration/major. However, doing so may render the student ineligible to sit for the Certification Exam. In addition, the ACLP requires a 600-hour internship supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist. The student must arrange for this internship outside of the degree requirements.
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.