Online Child Life, MS

View a full listing of courses and course details for our regular or advanced standing track in the academic catalog.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  
  • An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Professional Interest Essay covering:
  • Brief background information to help us get to know you as a unique person
  • Why you chose to pursue Child Life in this season of your life
  • Why you are applying to Azusa Pacific University for the master’s in child life
  • Experiences that have prepared you for this program
  • Strengths and weaknesses that would affect your performance in this career
  • Your professional goals
• Two letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references
• Current résumé
• A personal interview will be conducted as necessary with qualified applicants
• 3.0 undergraduate grade-point average
• GRE not required

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Admitted students will be required to submit a $400 non-refundable admissions deposit within two weeks to hold their spot in the cohort. Deposit will be applied to cost of tuition.

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.

Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Master of Science in Child Life Tuition

Note: This information is current for the 2026-27 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current academic catalog for more information.

Financial Aid

At Azusa Pacific University, we make an accessible Christian education possible. To cover the cost of your master’s degree, you can apply for financial aid, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. While types of aid may vary based on your program, your dedicated admissions advisor can help you understand your options and plan ahead.

For more information, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

If you serve in the military—or qualify as a spouse or dependent—you may access financial assistance that helps cover tuition, housing, and books. As a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, APU offers the support and flexibility needed to help you complete your master’s degree.

APU Alumni Tuition Discounts

Continue your journey at APU and build on the foundation you’ve already established. If you’re an APU alum, you may qualify for a School of Health Sciences alumni tuition discount, helping reduce the cost of earning the Master of Science in Child Life.

You must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. You must be enrolled at least half-time.

If you meet the qualifications, your discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.

Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).