Master's Program Information

Master of Arts with Thesis

Students selecting this M.A. degree program are expected to complete ten credits including the five required courses indicated below:

Two theory courses (e.g.)

• Advanced Intellectual Development or other approved course in Intellectual Development
• Advanced Personal-Social Development or other approved course in Personal-Social Development
• Young Child's Development of Language or other approved course in Language Development

Please note that the two courses may be dictated by a particular concentration area (see the Department’s Graduate Student Handbook for more information).

In addition all three of the following are required:

• Problems in Research: Statistics. Students who have a background in statistics and who can demonstrate equivalent preparation may plan an alternative experience to fulfill this requirement
  
• One of the following three courses:
  • Problems in Research: Design and Methods (CD 142)
    or
  • Qualitative and Ethnographic Methods (CD 144).
  • If the student’s thesis is in social policy, Program Evaluation (CD 243FJ) may also count as a research methods course.

  *Note: The choice of a course for meeting the methods requirement should be consistent with the student’s overall program focus. For all master’s candidates, one of the three methods courses may be chosen upon consultation with the Program Advisor to be consistent with the student’s program or future goals. Students desiring to fulfill the requirements for a particular concentration must check those requirements.

• A Thesis course must be taken for one or two course credits. Before students begin the main body of thesis work, they must prepare a proposal that contains a review of relevant readings and gives a theoretical argument for the hypotheses and methods proposed. Guidelines for the preparation of theses are included in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Handbook and the Department's own Graduate Handbook. These booklets will be distributed to incoming students at the orientation meeting.

In fulfilling these requirements for the M.A. degree with Thesis, students may chose to focus their work in a particular concentration area.

As noted previously, M.A. thesis students are encouraged to complete an applied experience. Students should consult with their advisors as to which options are most appropriate for their program of study.

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