Master of Science in Child Development

Website: https://twu.edu/human-development-family-studies-counseling/graduate-programs/child-development/

The master’s degree in child development covers child growth and development from infancy through adolescence, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Students explore major theories and empirical research on child development and how it applies to work with children and families.

The M.S. in Child Development may be completed up to 100% online and in an accelerated format.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Critically consume research literature​.
  2. Apply research evidence to professional practice​.
  3. Developmental assessment skills​.
  4. Written communication skills​.
  5. Critical thinking skills​.

Admissions

All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.

The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours Required

Thesis Option: 30 semester credit hours (SCH)
Professional Option: 31 semester credit hours (SCH) - Program available in an accelerated format (7-week semesters).

Special Requirements

No grade below B is accepted towards any graduate degree in the Department of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling (HDFSC). If more than one grade below B is earned while enrolled in any HDFSC graduate program, the student will be dismissed from the program and will be ineligible to re-enroll in any program within the department for a period of 6 years.

Final Examination

Students choosing the thesis option must complete an independent research project and participate in an oral defense of the completed thesis. Students choosing the professional option must complete a professional portfolio in their last semester. Theses and portfolios are reviewed and evaluated by each student's advisory committee. The advisory committee should consist of three faculty members, all of whom must hold Graduate Faculty status, and at least two of whom must be faculty from the Child Development program.

Thesis Option (30 semester credit hours)

Core
HDFS 5113Theories of Child Development3
HDFS 5223Child Growth and Development in Early Childhood3
HDFS 5243Adolescent Development Within the Family3
HDFS 5643The Development of Infants and Toddlers3
Research
HDFS 5193Statistics for Family Sciences3
HDFS 5693Research Methods in Family Sciences3
HDFS 5983Thesis3
HDFS 5993Thesis3
Content Specialization
HDFS 5593Play, Development, and the Young Learner3
HDFS 5613Child Guidance3
Total SCHs30

Professional Option (31 semester credit hours)

Program available in an accelerated format (7-week semesters).

Core
HDFS 5113Theories of Child Development3
HDFS 5223Child Growth and Development in Early Childhood3
HDFS 5243Adolescent Development Within the Family3
HDFS 5643The Development of Infants and Toddlers3
Research
HDFS 5193Statistics for Family Sciences3
HDFS 5693Research Methods in Family Sciences3
Content Specialization
HDFS 5593Play, Development, and the Young Learner3
HDFS 5613Child Guidance3
Professional Development
Select two of the following6
Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood
Leadership, Advocacy and Public Policy for Young Children
Brain-Based Learning for the Young Child
School, Family, and Cultural Diversity: Community Connections
Family Crises
Practicum in Family Sciences
Graduation Requirement
HDFS 5931Professional Portfolio1
Total SCHs31