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
Department:
Human Development and Family Studies


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, approaches to early education, parenting, intervention and prevention programs, and child and family policy. Laboratory experiences in early childhood education are available in the Child Development Laboratories, and research experiences are available through work with faculty mentors. Both thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) options are offered. Those pursuing Plan A are prepared for doctoral study in a variety of related fields. Two concentrations are available for Plan B: (i) Early Childhood Leadership, Administration, and Policy, which includes a transcriptable Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood and Family Policy, and (ii) Early Childhood Development and Practices.

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. 
  3. A favorable evaluation by at least three professional references. 
  4. Academic records, references, and experiences that reflect strong qualifications for graduate study.
  5. International applicants must show language proficiency through a university-approved language exam.

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 Plan B. Plan B master's students may choose from two concentrations: Early Childhood Leadership, Administration, and Policy (30 credits) or Early Childhood Development and Practices (30 credits).

Requirements for Plan A
1. All of the following courses (24 credits): 
      HDFS  811 Lifespan I: Prenatal to Pre-Adolescence    3
      HDFS  825 Families of Children with Special Needs:  An Ecological Perspective  3
      HDFS  840 Families in Social and Cultural Contexts    3
      HDFS  880 Research Design and Measurement    3
      HDFS  881 Quantitative Methods in Human Development    3
Two additional developmental electives chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, with at least one in HDFS  6
2. Complete 6 credits of HDFS 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
Requirements for Plan B
One of the following concentrations:
Early Childhood Leadership, Administration, and Policy (30 credits)
1. All of the following courses (18 credits): 
HDFS  473 Administration of Early Childhood Programs    3
HDFS  811 Lifespan I: Prenatal to Pre-Adolescence    3
HDFS  825  Families of Children with Special Needs: An Ecological Perspective  3
HDFS  840 Families in Social and Cultural Contexts    3
HDFS  865  Capstone GPIDEA  3
An additional elective chosen in consultation with the student's academic advisor 3
Students who have taken HDFS 449 as an undergraduate student may substitute this course for HDFS 825.
2. All of the following courses (12 credits):
These courses are to be taken through the Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA). These courses are offered online only and may be taught by faculty at another university participating in the IDEA.
HDFS  805 Early Childhood Education and Care Policy I: History, Child Development, and Equity 3
HDFS  806  Early Childhood Education and Care Policy II: Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues 3
HDFS  807 Early Childhood Education and Care Policy III: Theory, Analysis and Research  3
HDFS  808 Early Childhood Education and Care Policy IV: Policy Leadership and Policy Advocacy  3
3. Complete and successfully present a capstone project related to the student's interests and career goals.
Early Childhood Development and Practices (30 credits)
1. All of the following courses (15 credits): 
    HDFS  473 Administration of Early Childhood Programs    3
     HDFS  811 Lifespan I: Prenatal to Pre-Adolescence    3
     HDFS  825 Families of Children with Special Needs: An Ecological Perspective    3
     HDFS  840 Families in Social and Cultural Contexts    3
     HDFS  865 Capstone GPIDEA  3
     Students who have taken HDFS 449 as an undergraduate student may substitute this course for HDFS 825.  
2. Complete 6 credits in two additional developmental electives chosen in consultation with the student's academic advisor, with at least one in HDFS.
3. Complete 9 credits in three electives at the 800-level in HDFS chosen in consultation with the student's academic advisor.
4. Complete and successfully present a capstone project related to the student's interests and career goals.