Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development: Tufts University

M.A./Ph.D. and Ph.D. Programs

Overview M.A./Ph.D. and Ph.D. Programs
To date, few programs in Applied Child Development exist in this country. In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of the need to apply theory and research on child and family development to the many problems and issues confronting those who are concerned about the care, education, and welfare of children. It is our belief that the preparation of applied child development professionals who are knowledgeable about theory and research, and competent in the application of their knowledge, will help to fill the gaps that exist between theoretician, researcher and practitioner.

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Applied Child Development (ACD) gain both a competence in conducting research and an understanding of theories pertaining to social, emotional, intellectual, linguistic, and physiological growth of children. Students are expected to apply this theoretical and empirical knowledge in practical situations. Our program offers numerous opportunities for this integration of practice and academic work, through supervised field experiences, course work preparations, colloquia, study groups and other activities. We believe this integrated approach provides the best training for postgraduate positions in a wide assortment of academic and applied settings such as universities and schools, hospitals, day care centers, mental health clinics, educational museums, television studios, government offices, child and family advocacy centers, and court-related service programs.

Although the program has a fixed goal -- the training of highly qualified child development specialists -- there is considerable flexibility in its implementation. Students designate areas of particular interest and develop individualized programs. Faculty members help each student design a program that both reinforces individual strengths and complements previous applied child development training and experience. Students may choose to focus their work in one or more particular concentration areas.

Teaching
Students are strongly encouraged to acquire teaching experience while in the program. Teaching experience is essential for those students expecting to work in a university setting after completion of the doctorate. Most of our ACD doctoral students serve as teaching assistants for one or more years during their doctoral program. Serving as a T.A. can provide valuable experience, as well as opportunities for observation of faculty teaching and supervision from faculty. The extent and type of involvement of T.A.'s in teaching will vary with instructor and course. Experiences may include conducting small study groups or review sessions with students, planning and conducting supplemental experiences for students, such as field trips or other special events, preparing and offering lectures, developing quizzes and examinations, and grading student work.

Students may also consider teaching courses in the Tufts Summer School or Experimental College. To apply for Summer School teaching, students must prepare a course proposal and submit it to the Chair of the Child Development Department no later than October 1st for the following summer. Students may also consider teaching courses at other area colleges and universities. For information on teaching in the Experimental College, contact the Experimental College Office at (617) 627-3384.

Course credit may be received for teaching, provided that there is extensive supervision by a faculty member.

Research
Research is a central component of a doctoral student's program in ACD. Students are encouraged to participate in departmental research activities early on in their programs. Opportunities for working on faculty projects and on advanced doctoral student research projects are circulated throughout the semester. In addition, the Department and faculty members with research funding occasionally have available a limited number of paid research assistantships.

Learn more about the Course of Study and Guidelines for Ph.D. Program

M.A./Ph.D. Program

Students who enter the Ph.D. program without a master’s degree are admitted to the M.A./Ph.D. program. The M.A./Ph.D. is a fulltime program. After successful completion of the M.A. degree, students must submit a letter of intent to continue on for the Ph.D. to the Director of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for the M.A./Ph.D. Program

Completion of the 10-credit M.A. with thesis degree (please see the Graduate Student Handbook for a full description of the M.A. thesis program).

Courses:

One & Two - Theory Courses in Content Area (as described in requirements for M.A. degree) (two credits)
Three - Statistics (as described in requirements for M.A. degree) (one credit)
Four - Research Methods (as described in requirements for M.A. degree) (one credit)
Five & Six - Master’s Thesis Credits (two credits)
Seven & Eight - Doctoral Proseminar (1-2 credits)*
Nine & Ten - Electives (2-3 credits)*

*Note: Before completing the Ph.D. program, the student must complete 3 credits (3 years) of Doctoral Proseminar, beginning in their first year. For those who complete 2 credits of Doctoral Proseminar before completing the M.A., such students will be required to take only 2 credits of electives as a part of the M.A. program; if 1 credit of Doctoral Proseminar is completed as part of the M.A. degree, s/he would take 3 credits of electives as part of the M.A. program.