Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in the MA of Child Development program requires:
- Child/Human Development BA or a closely related field, Liberal Studies BA, or teaching credential. Some applicants may be admitted with the condition that certain specified foundation courses be completed before beginning the requirements for the Masters of Child Development program; and
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester units completed; and
- experience working with children (infancy through adolescence); and
- a passing score on the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE), or an upper division advanced English composition class with a grade "B" or better
- a well-written, clearly articulated statement of the applicant's educational and professional background and an explanation of how graduate study will advance the applicant's professional goals. The essay will be evaluated on both form and content.
Students not meeting the above criteria may be conditionally classified, i.e., they are classified with the condition that they meet additional requirements before full admission to the program. Undergraduate upper division coursework in Child Development and/or maintenance of a specified GPA in graduate coursework may be conditions of admission.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Statement of Purpose is a well-written essay, with no glaring typographical errors, included as a supplemental document along with the completed Sacramento State graduate school application when submitted to the University. The Statement should illustrate the successes and reflections students experience in this field and address the following points:
Goals and objectives in obtaining an MA in Child Development;
Professional or academic experiences with young children, paid and/or volunteer; Insights into the field, working with and for young children, and evaluation of observations and the student’s involvement with children and how these connect to the desire to pursue an MA; and Knowledge or elements that could contribute to the program or issues you would like to explore that have not been previously addressed.
The Statement should reflect an overall picture of the writer as a well-rounded person, involved in scholarly achievement and practical experience. The Child Development department reviews each application and essay individually.
Applicants complete both University and Departmental Supplemental Appication (available in the department office). Application deadlines are March 1st for Fall admission and October 1st for Spring admission. These dates are “file complete” dates, that is, all materials must be submitted on or before the due date. If the date falls on a weekend, materials will be due on or before the following work day. Admissions decisions are made by the Child Development graduate committee by the end of the semester in which they are submitted.