Graduate Degree

Child Development - Master of Science

Program:
Child Development - Master of Science
Plan Code:
CHILDDE_MS
Program Level:
Graduate
Award Type:
Master of Science
College:
College of Social Science
Relevant Excerpt(s) from Academic Programs:
Department:
Human Development and Family Studies
Relevant Excerpt(s) from Academic Programs:


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Social Science

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Graduate Study
Child Development - Master of Science

The program focuses on the behavioral, psychological, biological and contextual processes that promote positive developmental outcomes in infants and young children. Key contexts of development emphasized in the program include family, early childhood educational settings, and culture. Courses are available in areas such as development across cultures, infant development, language and literacy research and practices, social-emotional development, observational methods for home or the classroom, approaches to early education, intervention and prevention programs, and parenting. Laboratory experiences in early childhood education are available in the Child Development Laboratories, and research experiences are available through work with faculty mentors. Both a thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) option are offered. Those pursuing Plan A are prepared for doctoral study in a variety of related fields.

Admission

Students must have:

  1. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university. 
  2. A grade-point average of 3.00 or better during the last two full years of undergraduate study. Those between 2.5 and 3.0 must take the General Record Examination (GRE).
  3. A favorable evaluation by at least three professional references. 
  4. Academic records, references, and experiences that reflect strong qualifications for graduate study. 
  5. Satisfactory verbal ability and quantitative ability scores on the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for Plan A (Thesis). This option is for those wishing to pursue a research focus and potential doctoral degree. 

International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam: 1) Paper-based version: minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52; 2) Computer-based version: minimum average score of 213, no subscore below 19; 3) Internet-based version: minimum average score of 80; no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Child Development

The Master of Science Degree in Child Development is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for Plan A and a total of 32 credits is required for Plan B.

Requirements for Plan A
1. All of the following courses (a minimum of 12 credits):
HDFS 810 Theories of Human Development 3
HDFS 811 Child Development: Ecological Perspectives 3
HDFS 821 Prevention, Intervention and Educational Programs in  Early Childhood 3
HDFS 892 Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 1 to 4
2. Both of the following courses approved by the student’s advisor (6 credits):
A 3 credit research methodology course
A 3 credit quantitative methods course
3. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HDFS 826 Social-Emotional Development Birth to Eight Years: Biology, Relationships, and Culture 3
HDFS 827 Language and Literacy Development from Infancy to Formal Schooling 3
4. An additional elective course approved by the student’s advisor.
5. Complete 6 credits of HDFS 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
Requirements for Plan B
1. The following course (3 credits):
HDFS 811 Child Development: Ecological Perspectives 3
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HDFS 449 Special Needs Children and Their Families 3
HDFS 825 Families with Special Needs Children: An Ecological Perspective 3
3. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HDFS 414 Parenting 3
HDFS 892 Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 3
HDFS 892 must be approved by the student’s advisor to assure appropriate content.
4. The following course (3 credits):
HDFS 847 Theories of the Family 3
5. All of the following courses (14 credits):
HDFS 817 Advanced Practice in Infant and Toddler Early Childhood Programming 3
HDFS 818 Advanced Curricular Adaptations in Diverse Early Childhood Environments 3
HDFS 819 Advanced Teaching Practicum in an Early Childhood Setting 4
HDFS 822 Assessment of the Young Child 3
HDFS 894 Laboratory and Field Experience 1
6. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
HDFS 473 Administration of Early Childhood Programs 3
HDFS 821 Prevention, Intervention and Educational Programs in Early Childhood Education 3