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M.A. In Child Development Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Child Development, Emphasis in Theory and Research and Master of Arts in Child Development, Emphasis in Applied Settings requires completion of 33 units of coursework with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Required Foundation courses, number of elective units required, and culminating experience options are identical in both emphases. Core courses differ, as indicated. No units with a grade lower than "C" may be applied toward the degree.

Pre or Co requisites (7 units)

In order to be fully classified into the program, students must complete the following upper-division CHDV courses (or the equivalent). In some cases, students may be admitted on the condition that they complete these courses in the first semester (or year) of study.

CHDV 133 (3) – Research in Human Development (Prerequisite: CHDV 30 or CHDV 35, or equivalent)

CHDV 137 (4) – Cognitive Development OR CHDV 138 (4) - Social Development

 

I. Required Foundation Courses (12 units)

The following courses provide an important foundation for future courses. They are designed to be taken during your first semesters in the program. For example, students taking 6 or more units per semester are expected to take 200A, 200B, and 242 their first Fall semester, and 247 and 250 during their first spring semester.

CHDV 200A (2) – Proseminar in Child Development (co-requisite: CHDV 200B)

CHDV 200B (1) – Analytical Strategies (co-requisite: CHDV 200A)

CHDV 242 (3) – Theoretical Approaches to Child Development

CHDV 247 (3) – Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on Cross Cultural Development (prerequisite: CHDV 242)

CHDV 250 (3) – Research Methods (prerequisite: CHDV 200A/B)

 

II. Core Courses (9 Units):

(See IIA. or IIB., depending on your emphasis choice)

      A. Theory and Research – Three courses selected from the following:

CHDV 210 (3) – Seminar in Social Development

CHDV 211 (3) – Seminar in Cognitive Development

CHDV 245 (3) - Selected Topics in Developmental Theory (may be taken twice for credit, with different instructors)

CHDV 246 (3) - Motivation and Learning in Children

CHDV 249 (3) - Language Processes in Development

CHDV 253 (3) - Apprenticeship in Advanced Child Development

CHDV 258 (3) - Qualitative Research

CHDV 299 (3) – Special Problems

OR

      B. Applied Settings – Three courses selected from the following:

CHDV 210 (3) – Seminar in Social Development

CHDV 211 (3) – Seminar in Cognitive Development

CHDV 215 (3) – Selected Topics in Applied and Community Settings (may be taken twice for credit, with different instructors)

CHDV 246 (3) - Motivation and Learning in Children

CHDV 248 (3) - Curriculum and Instruction in Preschool and Primary Grade Settings

CHDV 249 (3) - Language Processes in Development

CHDV 295 (3)  - Practicum in Child Development

EDS 290 (3) – Issues in Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities

NOTE:  All 9 units of core coursework must be taken in the same emphasis area.

III. Electives (6 units)

6 upper division or graduate units selected with approval of a Child Development faculty advisor.  These can be CHDV courses in either emphasis, or courses in other departments relevant to the student’s emphasis or interest area.

IV. Culminating Requirement (6 units)

For Students beginning the program in or after Fall 2007, there are three options for meeting the Culminating Experience Requirement: Thesis, Project or Comprehensive Exam. They are discussed separately below.  Advancement to candidacy is required before enrolling you the culminating requirement courses (see page 7 for information on advancement to candidacy).

Thesis or Project. The following courses will help you complete your culminating requirement. As such these should be done after foundation and core coursework has been completed. You must pass CHDV 290 prior to enrolling in CHDV 504.

CHDV 290 (3) - Seminar for Culminating Experience (Prerequisite: Advancement to Candidacy; instructor permission). If CHDV 290 is not offered, the student may substitute EDTE 290.

• CHDV 290 is offered once in the Fall semester. Students planning to take 504 the following Spring OR Fall should take this course.

CHDV 504 (3) – Culminating Experience: Child Development (Thesis or Project, CHDV 290 prerequisite)

• Department permission to enroll in CHDV 504 is required
• Credit for CHDV 504 is given upon completion of a thesis, project, or other approved culminating experience. Open only to the graduate student who has been advanced to candidacy for the master's degree and has secured the permission of his/her faculty advisor and the Department Chair one full semester prior to registration (See continuous enrollment information on page 8).

Exam. To complete your 6-unit culminating experience requirement, you must complete two classes and pass the culminating examination.

CHDV 292 (3) – Seminar for Culminating Exam (Prerequisite: Advancement to Candidacy; instructor permission)

CHDV 505 (3) – Culminating Experience: Child Development Exam

• Credit for CHDV 505 is given upon successfully passing the examination. It is open only to the graduate student who has been advanced to candidacy for the master's degree and has secured the permission of his/her faculty advisor and the Department Chair one full semester prior to registration (See continuous enrollment information on page 8).

 

Please refer to CHDV Home Page for important Dates and Deadlines.