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."
- Critically consume research literature.
- Apply research evidence to professional practice.
- Developmental assessment skills.
- Written communication skills.
- 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)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| HDFS 5113 | Theories of Child Development | 3 |
| HDFS 5223 | Child Growth and Development in Early Childhood | 3 |
| HDFS 5243 | Adolescent Development Within the Family | 3 |
| HDFS 5643 | The Development of Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| Research | ||
| HDFS 5193 | Statistics for Family Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 5693 | Research Methods in Family Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| HDFS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| Content Specialization | ||
| HDFS 5593 | Play, Development, and the Young Learner | 3 |
| HDFS 5613 | Child Guidance | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 30 | |
Professional Option (31 semester credit hours)
Program available in an accelerated format (7-week semesters).
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| HDFS 5113 | Theories of Child Development | 3 |
| HDFS 5223 | Child Growth and Development in Early Childhood | 3 |
| HDFS 5243 | Adolescent Development Within the Family | 3 |
| HDFS 5643 | The Development of Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| Research | ||
| HDFS 5193 | Statistics for Family Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 5693 | Research Methods in Family Sciences | 3 |
| Content Specialization | ||
| HDFS 5593 | Play, Development, and the Young Learner | 3 |
| HDFS 5613 | Child Guidance | 3 |
| Professional Development | ||
| Select two of the following | 6 | |
| 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 5931 | Professional Portfolio | 1 |
| Total SCHs | 31 | |
