Back to M.S. in Child Development and M.S.W. (Dual Degree)

Who is this degree for?

As research and new theoretical frameworks have greatly expanded our knowledge and understanding of infancy and its importance, so has recent policy created an enormous demand for practitioners trained in working with infants and their families.

Erikson’s dual degree program already provides the ideal path for those seeking to become a new kind of social service professional — one who understands both the complex needs of children and families and the structure and function of social service systems.

By adding the infancy specialization to the master’s in child development, M.S./M.S.W. students can prepare for the complex role of the infant/family specialist, who works with infants and families together in the context of their communities.

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Early Intervention credential

You may work toward a State of Illinois Early Intervention credential through this program. If you seek this credential, you will need to complete an internship at an early intervention or diagnostic site. You and the director of the infant studies program will discuss the requirements for credentialing. To complete an internship in an early intervention site, you must be available during the daytime, Mondays through Fridays, during your internship year.

Requirements

The dual degree program consists of three or four years of course work, including two internships. To specialize in infancy as part of Erikson’s master’s in child development, you must complete the core child development curriculum plus five additional specialization courses and complete an internship in a setting that serves infants and their families.

Sample course schedules

Most students choose the three-year option, which begins in the summer with a week-long course, Human Behavior in the Social Environment I, taught jointly by Erikson and Loyola faculty. During the first academic year, the primary curricular focus is child development. The second year of studies includes child development and social work courses with a two-semester field instruction/internship, which for the infancy specialization will be working with infants and their families.

The Erikson comprehensive examination is typically taken after the second year of course work. Students who complete the Erikson requirements and pass the comprehensive examination receive their Master of Science in Child Development with Infancy Specialization after two years (or three years in the four-year option).

In the final year, students complete the social work course requirements and a second field instruction/internship in social work. Upon completion of the Loyola requirements, they receive their master of social work from Loyola. Please note: the Loyola requirements summarized below are intended only as a guide. Students must consult their Loyola adviser for official degree requirements.

Course Work

Core Courses:

Supplemental Courses:

Specialization Courses:

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How does it work?

Picture yourself at Erikson. Understand the requirements, the class times, the program duration.

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Brochure

ON CAMPUS master’s degrees
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