Pursue Your Purpose

Earn your M.S. in Child Development and elevate your ability to serve the needs of children and their families. Knowledge of child and adolescent development can be applied across a range of practice settings and disciplines including child psychology, early childhood education, policy and advocacy, social work, and more. The program offers a thesis and non-thesis track.

Plan A: Research Track = 30 credits

Plan B: Professional Track = 32 credits

Master’s Degree in Child Development, Plan A Research/Thesis

Students complete a 30-credit master’s in child development with an emphasis on continued study in the doctoral program. Preparation focuses on the deepening of content knowledge, developing methodological and statistical skills, and building translational research skills in addition to gaining research experience with their faculty mentor(s).

Master’s Degree in Child Development, Plan B Professional/Non-Thesis

Professional Focus Students complete a 32 credit master’s in child development focusing on: 1.) evidence-based practice, including program evaluation, assessment of development and learning, and early childhood curriculum planning and implementation for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and curricular adaptations to meet the needs of diverse children and families; 2.) the supervision and professional development of early childhood practitioners; and 3.) the role of family in early education and development.

Child Development

Master of Science