Program Overview

M.S. Child Development Overview

The M.S. Child Development program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the behavioral, psychological, biological, and contextual processes that promote positive developmental outcomes in children. The program focuses on generating knowledge related to child development and training the next generation of scholars and practitioners.

Program Details

The program is built around two core principles:

• Multiple contexts shape development, including family, school, community, culture, and biology.
• The empirically based application of research to real-world problems is essential in promoting the well-being of children and families.

Master's Degree in Child Development, Plan A: Research/Thesis

Students complete a 30-credit master's in child development with an emphasis on continued study in the doctoral program. The program focuses on:

• Deepening of content knowledge
• Developing methodological and statistical skills
• Building translational research skills
• Gaining research experience with faculty mentor(s)

Master's Degree in Child Development, Plan B: Professional/Non-Thesis

Students complete a 32-credit master's in child development focusing on:

• Evidence-based practice
• Program evaluation
• Assessment of development and learning
• Early childhood curriculum planning and implementation
• Supervision and professional development of early childhood practitioners
• The role of family in early education and development

Curricula

M.S. in Child Development Plan A: Research Track

• HDFS 810: Theories of Human Development
• HDFS 811: Child Development from Ecological Perspectives
• HDFS 821: Early Prevention and Intervention Birth to Five
• HDFS 892: Seminars in Diversity
• One course from departmental offerings on diverse families
• One course (3 credits) in research methodology
• One course (3 credits) in quantitative methods
• HDFS 827: Language and Literacy Development from Infancy to Formal Schooling
• HDFS 826: Social-Emotional Development Birth to Five: Biology, Relationships, & Culture
• HDFS 899: Thesis credits (6 credits)
• Choose 1 elective course Total Credits = 30

M.S. in Child Development Plan B: Professional Track

• Child Development Content (6 credits)
  • HDFS 811: Child Development from Ecological and Cultural Perspectives
  • HDFS 825: Families and Children with Special Needs
• Family Processes (6 credits)
  • HDFS 414: Parenting
  • HDFS 892: Seminar in Diversity
• Advanced Practice (14 credits)
  • HDFS 817: Advanced Infant and Toddler Program Planning
  • HDFS 818: Advanced Curricular Adaptations in Diverse Early Childhood Environments
  • HDFS 819: Advanced Practicum in an Early Childhood Setting
  • HDFS 822: Assessment of the Young Child
  • HDFS 894: Laboratory and Field Experience
• Supervision and Administration (6 credits)
  • HDFS 473: Administration of Early Childhood Programs
  • HDFS 821: Prevention, Curricula, and Intervention Research in Early Childhood Education Total Credits = 32

Research and Faculty

Child development faculty are engaged in research around two core, scholarly themes:

• Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood
• Social Emotional Health and Well-Being in Infancy and Childhood

Research Areas

• Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood: Drs. Bowles, Douglas, Skibbe, and Vallotton
• Social Emotional Health and Well-Being in Infancy and Childhood: Drs. Brophy-Herb, Johnson, Nuttall, and Vallotton

Research Resources

The Department offers a number of scholarly activities, including:

• Child and family research observation laboratories
• Coding and data analysis stations
• Meeting area for graduate students to network and collaborate
• The MSU Child Development Laboratories, which offer excellent resources for applied research and training in early development and education

Faculty Research Labs

• Building Early Emotion Skills (BEES) Lab
• Early Language and Literacy Investigations (ELLI) Lab
• Family Stress Lab
• Insight Into Infants' Internal Worlds (IIIW) Lab
• Research in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (RADD) Lab