Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development: Tufts University

Introduction

The Department of Child Development provides students with a solid grounding in research and theory concerning the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of children. Wherever possible, course material is complemented with observations and work with children in a wide range of applied settings. These settings include schools, hospitals, clinics, day care centers, educational television studios, museums, juvenile courts, and law offices that provide legal services in child advocacy proceedings. These practicum experiences are an essential part of a concentration in child development, where the integration of theory, research, and practice is regarded as a abiding goal.

The Department of Child Development offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. M.A. candidates are offered two program options; one requires the completion of a M.A. - Thesis, while the other requires an intensive internship in a setting serving children (M.A. - Applied). There are also two joint degree programs, one with the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and the other with the Department of Mathematics, Science, Technology and Engineering Education (MSTE Education) involving multiple departments. All of the programs are designed to help graduate students integrate child development research and theory with effective practice. All offer opportunities for working with children and conducting research in a variety of settings, including the Department's two laboratory schools.

In order to help focus their course of study towards career goals, students pursuing the M.A. or Ph.D. degrees may elect to complete the requirements of a concentration. There are nine possible concentrations: Arts in Child Development, Children with Special Needs, Clinical Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Development, Early Intervention (Masters-level only), Early Childhood Education, Family Studies, Language and Literacy, and New Technologies and Human Development. The discussion about whether to pursue a concentration should be made in conjunction with the student's Program Adviser during the first year of study, preferably during the first semester.

Master of Arts (M.A.)
The Master of Arts degree requires the satisfactory completion of a ten-credit course of study. Students interested in engaging in child development research conclude the program by writing a thesis; students interested in the more applied, practical aspects of child development conclude the program with an intensive supervised internship. Each route offers a combination of required and elective courses. The Master of Arts program offers two options for completion of degree requirements. For students who wish to conduct research, the program entails four required courses and six additional elective courses. Students must also complete a thesis.

The M.A. degree program serves child development students with a broad range of professional and intellectual interests. Graduates enter positions in human services agencies, research organizations, schools and early childhood programs, advocacy groups, and institutions of higher education. A significant percentage of graduates continue their studies in law schools, medical schools, Ph.D. programs in developmental or clinical psychology, or public policy. Provisionally certified teachers wishing to obtain standard certification may enroll in the Master of Arts program, which includes a 400-hour apprenticeship in the schools.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Program with Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning
The Master of Arts degree offered jointly by the Department of Child Development and the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning is a 14-credit graduate program in child and family policy. Students matriculate in two nationally renowned departments at Tufts and fulfill the general requirements for each, including courses in developmental psychology, policy planning and analysis, and research methods and statistics. In addition, they follow a specific course of study in child and family policy, culminating in a master's thesis. Contact either department for more information.

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Early Childhood
The degree of Master of Arts in teaching is offered for students who seek Massachusetts State Department of Education initial licensure as an early childhood teacher (pre-K to grade 2). This program in Early Childhood Education is in a period of transition with the appointment of a new director, Dr. Christy McWayne, in January 2010 and the hire of a Professional Development Coordinator, Dr. Carlota Schechter, in September 2010. The program focuses on preparing students to teach in preschool to grade 2 classrooms in urban public school settings. The emphasis of the program is on understanding current research and its implications for working with children from diverse family backgrounds and children who do not speak English at home. This is in keeping with the Departmental focus on issues of equity in child development and education and with existing expertise in the EP faculty.

It is not unusual for early childhood teacher preparations programs to be grounded in developmental theory, however, our program is unique in its emphasis on research to practice integration, on preparing students to work with young children residing in urban settings, and on preparing students to be change-agents within these settings. The program consists of 3 significant field placements, one in our campus laboratory schools and the other two in the public schools in the neighboring community where we are developing partnerships. A sequence of carefully planned academic courses complement each of these fieldwork experiences using a module model which will allow students to experience the expertise of many of our departmental faculty members. In a final capstone experience students will work as a team with one our community-based partner schools. Through this project students will develop the capacity to work in partnership with other professionals and with school systems, and will have an opportunity to develop leadership skills.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The doctoral program in child development prepares individuals for either academic or applied settings involving children and their families. Such settings include schools, hospitals, social service agencies, the arts and media, courts, clinical research centers, and policy organizations, as well as colleges and universities. Accordingly, intensive training in theory and research methodology is involved, as well as extensive field experience. Applicants should have strong preparation in the behavioral sciences.

Course work during the first two years emphasizes the major theoretical orientations of the field and research methods and statistics. The remaining courses are selected in accordance with the student's academic plan, which is decided by the student and his or her advisers.

On completion of course work and an internship, students are required to undergo a qualifying review. Two major papers related to theory and research in child development are submitted and the student's progress and course of study in the doctoral program are reviewed. Successful completion of this review is a prerequisite to further doctoral study.

Internships are selected according to the participant's career interests, with students serving as supervised trainees in the service and research functions of the particular setting. The remainder of the program is devoted to participation in research and the completion and defense of a dissertation.