Program Overview
The Child Development graduate program at this university is a two-year, multi-disciplinary program that leads to a Master of Science degree. The program provides students with an in-depth examination of cognitive and socio-emotional development from infancy through adolescence. The curriculum emphasizes a balance of supervised practical experience, theory, and methodology. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in program delivery, teaching at the community-college level, or further graduate study.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The graduate program in Child Development is a multi-disciplinary, two-year program leading to a Master of Science degree. This program offers students an in-depth examination of cognitive and socio-emotional development from infancy through adolescence and provides a foundation for careers in program delivery (e.g., Early Childhood; 4-H; Youth Development), teaching at the community-college level, or further graduate study. The curriculum emphasizes a balance of supervised practical experience, theory, and methodology rooted in the belief that educators and practitioners alike must have solid disciplinary foundations.
Careers:
The program provides a foundation for careers in program delivery (e.g., Early Childhood; 4-H; Youth Development), teaching at the community-college level, or further graduate study.
Other:
The graduate group system takes an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to study child development across:
- Multiple Domains: Biological, Cognitive, Social-emotional
- Diverse Settings: Family, School, Community, Culture, and Society The benefits of the graduate group are that students can take coursework from various departments, work with faculty on and off campus from within and outside of HDGG, and focus on child development issues from a variety of perspectives. Faculty members with whom our students work include but are not limited to: Departments of Human Ecology, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Nutrition, the School of Education, the Center for Mind and Brain (CMB), the UCD Medical Center (UCDMC), and the Medical Investigation of Neurological Disorders Institute (MIND).
University of California
Overview:
The University of California (UC) is a public university system with 10 campuses across California. It is known for its academic excellence, diverse student body, and commitment to research. UC offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, and its campuses are located in various settings, from bustling cities to coastal towns.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
UC campuses offer a vibrant and diverse student life experience. Students can participate in a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities, including sports, arts, and cultural events. Each campus has its own unique character and atmosphere, with some campuses known for their urban setting and others for their more rural or coastal locations.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Academic Excellence:
UC is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the world, with renowned faculty and cutting-edge research.Financial Aid:
UC offers generous financial aid packages, with tuition fully covered for many California students.Diverse Student Body:
UC campuses are known for their diverse student populations, representing a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.Research Opportunities:
UC campuses are leaders in research, offering students opportunities to participate in groundbreaking projects.Campus Locations:
UC campuses are located in various settings across California, offering students a choice of urban, suburban, or rural environments.Academic Programs:
UC offers a wide range of academic programs across its 10 campuses, including:
Arts and Humanities:
Literature, history, philosophy, music, art, theaterSocial Sciences:
Psychology, sociology, economics, political science, anthropologySciences:
Biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer scienceEngineering:
Mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, biomedicalBusiness:
Management, marketing, finance, accountingHealth Sciences:
Medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacyLaw:
Juris Doctor (JD)Other:
UC is committed to providing a high-quality education to students from all backgrounds. The university system has a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it offers a variety of resources and support services to help students succeed.
Entry Requirements:
- Applicants should have an undergraduate major in either biological or social sciences.
- Students with prior work in genetics, human development, psychology, or physiology are particularly suited to this program.
- The structure and content of the program presumes some prior knowledge in the processes of child development.
- If you come into the master’s program without a background in Child or Human Development, Early Childhood Education, or Developmental Psychology, we recommend that you discuss background preparation with a graduate adviser.
- Background preparation in the following areas is strongly recommended:
- Course(s) in Infancy and Early Childhood (such as HDE 100A), and Middle Childhood and Adolescence (such as HDE 100B);
- At least one course in (human) genetics, biology or physiology (for example, BIS 101; NPB 101; PSC 121);
- At least one course in statistics, research methods or assessment methods (for example, HDE 120).
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- English Language Examinations required of applicants whose native language or language of instruction at university was not English only.
- Scores should be sent to UC Davis per instructions for each exam and must be received by the application deadline. Any waivers from English-only institutions should be requested in a timely manner.
