Who is this degree for?
Knowing how to work with families and the many structures and systems that support them is as important as knowing how to work with young children.
This program is for any early childhood professional seeking to work more effectively with families and with the social, legal, and political contexts in which young children and their families live. Particular focus is placed on the many structures and systems that support the developing child, from the many configurations of families and communities, to the welfare system, early intervention, medical/mental health, courts, and schools.
Requirements
To earn your master’s in child development with a specialization in family services, you complete the core child development curriculum, substituting three specialization courses for core courses, as well as taking two additional courses. The specialization includes an internship focusing on developing the practice and reflection skills necessary to work with children and families across a complex range of contexts and systems.
The family services specialization does not lead to clinical licensure.
Course Work
Sample course schedules
Core Courses:
- C421 – Human Development I: Psychosocial Development in Infancy and Childhood
- C425 – Physical Growth and Development
- C426 – Development of Cognition, Language, and Play I: Cognitive Development
- C427 – Development of Cognition, Language, and Play II: Language Development
- C432 – Family and Culture
- C439 – Child Assessment
- C440 and C441 – Internship and Tutorial I and II
- C450 and C451 – Integrative Seminar I and II
- C490 – Research Methods
