Masters Degree Options

• Master of Arts with Supervised Applied Experience
• Master of Arts with Thesis

Overview

The Department of Child Development offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts (M.A.) in child development and the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degrees.

The Department offers several M.A. degree options:

1. Thesis: Thesis with related course work, including statistics.
2. Applied: In-depth supervised applied experience with related course work in a designated area, such as: education, family, clinical, legal or social policy programs.
3. Combined degree program with Urban and Environmental Policy (See below.)

For students interested in teacher certification, the Department offers both the M.A. and the M.A.T., as well as the C.A.G.S. (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study). Depending on the student's background and goals, he or she will work toward an M.A.T., an M.A.-Applied, and/or a C.A.G.S. Click here for more specific information on teacher certification.

Options within this program include:

1. Early Childhood certification (Pre-K to Grade 3) through the Department of Child Development; and
2. Elementary certification (Grades 1-6) in a combined degree program with the Tufts Department of Education. (See below.)

These programs are designed to facilitate the integration of child development research and theory with effective practice; they offer a number of opportunities for working, observing, and conducting research with young children in a variety of settings, including the Eliot-Pearson Children's School and the Tufts Educational Day Care Center. They are designed to prepare students for careers that demand knowledge of theoretical and empirical issues in child development, as well as the skills necessary for effective work in a variety of applied settings.

Selecting a Master's Degree Program
Frequently, entering students have been unsure as to which program and degree they should seek. All the degree programs in Child Development are based on the notion that an understanding of child development is best achieved when theory, research and practice are integral parts of the student's program. Students who seek careers in administration and supervision, or clinical work, as well as those headed toward continued study in psychology and research, are encouraged to plan experiences that include direct contact with children. Those interested in pursuing careers in teaching young children are encouraged to take courses and participate in experiences which will enable them to better understand the research process and to become critical readers of research reports.

Students in any of the degree programs may decide to pursue further graduate study. While most doctoral programs do expect students to have some research experience, this experience may be achieved in several ways, including the completion of a thesis, independent research project, or substantial work on research projects directed by faculty members.

Thus, the distinctions among the degree programs in Child Development are based on differences in emphasis. Students in each of the degree programs complete many of the same courses. Those wishing to focus on the development of research skills related to the study of children and their families, and who wish to complete a thesis, should enroll in the M.A. degree program with thesis requirement; those wishing to emphasize direct experiences with children other than those leading to teacher certification, or who wish to work in other ways on family or child issues should enroll in the M.A. degree program with applied emphasis; those wishing to teach should enroll in the appropriate program leading to teacher certification.

Opportunities for Applied Experiences
The Department offers a variety of applied experiences for students wishing to work with children and adults in child-oriented settings. Placement opportunities for graduate students include education organizations, hospitals, child advocacy programs, social service centers, museums, children's media production studios, family courts, and government agencies. Although only students in the Master of Arts in Teaching and M.A.-applied programs are required to participate in a field experience, all students are encouraged to plan experiences that will provide the opportunity for working directly with children and/or with adults whose work brings them into contact with children.

Opportunities for Research
All students are encouraged to participate in research projects conducted by faculty members in the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development. Among the research projects currently in progress are:

• bridging home and school cultures for Spanish-speaking children
• evaluation of home visiting programs for teen parents
• extraordinariness in children, creativity
• stress, coping and physical health
• socialization of emotions
• cultural differences in family closeness
• developing approaches to evaluate family-oriented programs
• developmental sociolinguistics
• expectations of control and problem behavior in parenting
• curriculum materials and cognitive development
• neurological bases of language disorders
• developmental psychopathology

Requirements for Master's Degree Programs
All M.A. students must complete ten (10) credits; the number of credits completed by M.A.T. students varies. To count towards a graduate degree, graduate students must take upper level courses (100 level or higher). Two of the courses may be taken outside of the Department of Child Development in related areas of interest. However, written approval by the student's advisor is needed in order to have these courses fulfill the requirements for the degree program. All of the courses in the graduate program must be taken on a graded basis (with the exception of the Ph.D. Proseminar described in the Graduate Handbook). Please keep in mind that the costs of the graduate program are fixed. Transfer of courses from other universities will not reduce the cost of the graduate degree.

Each of the degree programs have specific course requirements. Students presenting evidence of completing courses similar to those required by the Department may substitute an advanced level of the course or complete an independent study in a related area. The substitution of a course must be approved in writing by the student's advisor and course instructor before the alternative course is arranged. No students are exempted from required courses.

Combined Degree Program with Urban & Environmental Policy
The Master of Arts combined Applied Child Development/Urban and Environmental Policy degree is a 14-credit graduate program in child and family policy. Students will matriculate into two nationally renown departments at Tufts University -- the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development and the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy -- and fulfill the general requirements for each, including courses in developmental psychology (intellectual, personal-social, physiological and/or language development), policy planning and analysis, (such as economics for policymakers, or program evaluation) and research methods and statistics. In addition, they will follow a specific course of study in child and family policy, which culminates with a master’s thesis. The program is expected to take two years to complete, although it may be possible for some students to finish their degrees in less time. The program is designed for individuals interested in child and family program development, program evaluation, public and private agency administration, policy-oriented research, child advocacy, and community organizing around child and family issues.

Both departments are highly selective in their admission decisions. Prospective students with strong undergraduate records, excellent recommendations, prior work experience, and commitment to the field are encouraged to apply. The GRE is required of all applicants. For additional information, please contact the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy at (617) 627-3394.

Joint Degree Program with Education
The Department of Child Development offers teacher certification for grades one through six in conjunction with the Department of Education at Tufts University. This program, which can be completed within a year and a summer, and awards an M.A. in Education, provides students with a background in child development and elementary education, drawing on the resources of both departments. Work within the Curriculum Resource Center is central to the training of teachers, where students study and develop relevant materials for teaching children and expand their own creative capacities. Students also complete practicum experiences on both the lower and elementary grade levels. For additional information, please contact the Department of Education or call (617) 627-3244.

Concentrations
The Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development offers six graduate concentrations for M.A. and Ph.D. students. Click here for more information on concentrations.

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