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Master's Program Information

Concentration in Arts and Child Development

The M.A. concentration in the Arts and Child Development prepares students for careers working with children and youth in applied and research settings focused on forms of creative expression such as visual art, music, drama, movement and dance. Courses include the study of the expressive arts and creativity and include opportunities for research and practice in studying and promoting children’s development through the arts. A practicum in arts-related settings such as visual arts programs, schools, museums, or curriculum development centers designed to offer and develop programs in the arts for children is an important part of the program.

The 11-course program requirements for the M.A. with a concentration in the Arts and Child Development are::

  1. Core developmental courses: Two courses selected from the following. The two selected courses need to be in different domains or special consent of the advisor is required.
    CD 151 Advanced Intellectual Development
    CD 161 Advanced Personal-Social Development
    CD 155 The Young Child’s Development of Language
    CD 261 Advanced Seminar in Personal-Social Development
    CD 251 Advanced Seminar Intellectual Development
    CD 243BN Contemporary Perspectives on Child Development
    CD 158 Psychological Study of Creativity
  2. Research Methods: One course selected from the following*:
    CD 142 Problems of Research: Methods and Design
    CD 144 Qualitative and Ethnographic Methods
    CD 247 Program Evaluation
    CD 140 Statistics
    CD 243RL Advanced Research Methods in Applied Dev. Science

    * All students must consult with their Program Advisers to determine which of the Research Methods courses best fits their program goals.

  3. M.A. Arts and Child Development Concentration

    Required: CD 243 Seminar on the Arts and Child Development*

    Required: Studio: Two semesters of private or group lessons in one of the arts areas, e.g., instruction in voice or instrument, visual arts studio classes, movement and dance, creative writing, acting or directing. The studio experience may be taken for one-half credit for each semester, but course credit is not required. Students may continue their development in an area in which they have already achieved expertise or may select a new area for development.

    * Course to be developed

    Electives: Four courses selected from the following:

    CD 143/DR193 Story Theater
    CD 166 Children’s Play
    CD 175/MU 175 Children’s Musical Development and Learning
    CD 176 Children’s Literature
    CD 178 Creative Movement and Body Language
    CD 179 Child Art
    CD/DR/ED187 Teaching Through Drama and Improvisation
    CD 240/241 Directed Research (in the arts and child development)
    CD 199 Community Field Placement (arts-related)

    One of the four electives may also include the following:

    CD 143 Technologies of the Self
    CD 145 Technological Tools for Thinking and Learning

  4. Two Open Electives (CD 140 Statistics required for M.A. Thesis)

    Students may select additional courses listed above or other approved courses in child development in the Departments of Child Development, Music, and Drama and Dance. Credit for studio experience may be counted toward one of the open electives.

  5. Internship or Thesis related to arts and child development

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