Bellarmine University is now enrolling students for a new Bachelor of Arts in Health Care – Child Life Track, a distinctive undergraduate degree designed to prepare students to support the developmental, emotional, and psychosocial needs of children and families in healthcare and community settings. 

The program launches in January 2026 through the university’s Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Clinical Sciences. 

Learn more about the Child Life Track Developed in partnership with Norton Healthcare, the Child Life Track combines a strong foundation in health sciences, psychology, ethics, and communication with specialized coursework in child development, therapeutic play, and child life practice, complemented by clinical experiences in leading pediatric healthcare settings. Graduates will be prepared to pursue Certified Child Life Specialist credentials or careers in related fields such as pediatric healthcare, child and family services, education, counseling, and graduate study in health and human sciences.  

“Partnering with Bellarmine University on this first-of-its-kind degree reflects Norton Healthcare’s mission to serve our community’s needs. We designed the program to intentionally align coursework with clinical experiences, creating practice-ready graduates prepared to make a difference,” said Brittany Burke, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC, System Director, Institute for Education and Development at Norton Healthcare. 

Students in the Child Life Track will complete experiential learning through internships and coursework. In addition, select students chosen by Norton Healthcare’s Career Ready Program will complete a 600-hour child life specialist internship at Norton Children’s Hospital or Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, providing real-world experience in pediatric care.  

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Health Care – Child Life Track are eligible for merit-based scholarships that 100% of first-time Bellarmine students receive. In addition, students have the opportunity to apply to the Norton Healthcare Career-Ready: Child Life Program. This program offers Norton Scholar financial assistance of up to $45,000 in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment, as well as dedicated education units taught by Norton Children’s child life specialists. These support options provide a debt-reducing pathway into one of the region’s most in-demand healthcare professions. 

“Child Life Specialists play a transformative role in the healing process for children and families,” said Dr. Heather Owens, dean of the Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Clinical Sciences. “Through this program and our partnership with Norton Healthcare, Bellarmine students will be exceptionally well prepared to provide compassionate, evidence-based care in pediatric settings across our region.” 

The Child Life Track is offered in a hybrid format, with select courses available online to promote accessibility and flexibility for students balancing academic, work, and family commitments. The curriculum includes 10 courses required for eligibility to sit for the Child Life Specialist certification exam. 

Graduates of Bellarmine’s Lansing School of Nursing and Clinical Sciences consistently achieve exceptional career outcomes – 100% are employed or admitted to graduate programs within six months of graduation. The new Child Life Track extends this tradition of success by preparing students for fulfilling careers that combine healthcare expertise, empathy, and service to others. 

Prospective students interested in applying or learning more about the degree program can visit /health-care-admin-child-life. Students interested in learning more about the Career-Ready opportunity can connect with the Norton Healthcare Center for Nursing Practice schools of nursing team at SON@nortonhealthcare.org.