MA in Child and Adolescent Development
Total units required for MA: 30.0
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development Program offers an opportunity for advanced study of developmental theory and research in preparation for a wide range of professional objectives. Our Program emphasizes scholarly reflection on developmental issues and academic excellence in oral and written communication. The Program faculty values academic scholarship and research, and regards their application in professional settings as central to the mission of the MA Program. Graduates of the Program are expected to be well educated, lifelong learners, with excellent preparation in research, theory, and practice in diverse, multicultural settings.
The MA Program prepares graduates for professional employment in a variety of settings, including working directly with infants, children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families and related programs; teaching at the community college; and preparing for additional study toward a doctoral degree in child and adolescent development or a related field. The Program incorporates the following potential areas of study: developmental research and theory; cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional development of children, adolescents, and emerging adults; social, cultural, and familial influences on development; children, adolescents, and emerging adults with behavioral, social, emotional, cognitive and academic special needs; programming and curricula development; principles and practices involved in organizing, administering, and evaluating programs for children, adolescents, and emerging adults.
For further information please see the Academic Program Services Office, Eureka Hall 401, or check the College of Education's website.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in the Master of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development Program requires:
- a BA in Child/Human Development or a closely-related field, Some applicants may be admitted with the condition that certain prerequisite courses be completed before beginning the requirements for the MA CHDV Program;
- minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units completed;
- completion of coursework in research methods (CHDV 123, CHDV 128, and/or CHDV 133, or equivalent) and upper-division child/human development survey (CHDV 137 and/or CHDV 138) (may be admitted conditionally without these prerequisites);
- experience in programs serving children, adolescents, and/or emerging adults; and
- strong writing and communication skills.
Opportunity exists for conditional classification of applicants with an undergraduate major and experiences different from those listed above. This requires that students demonstrate convincingly that they are competent to pursue the degree.
Admission Procedures
All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file a University application and a separate supplemental MA CHDV Program application. Both applications must be submitted by the deadlines stated on the College of Education and Office of Graduate Studies websites. Required application materials include:
- online applications for admission;
- official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State;
- a well-written, clearly articulated statement of the applicant's educational and professional background and an explanation of how graduate study will advance the applicant's professional goals; and
- two letters of recommendation.
For more admissions information and application deadlines, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website. Details about each of the components of the supplemental application can be found on the application packet posted to the College of Education website.
Approximately six weeks after the posted application deadline, a decision regarding admission will be emailed to each applicant.
Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree
Units required for the MA: 30.0
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0; no units with a grade lower than "B-" may apply toward the degree.
Advancement to Candidacy Procedures
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:
- removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
- completed at least 12 units of courses in the graduate program (see Requirements) with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
- met the Graduate writing requirement through completion of the Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course, CHDV 242, with a B grade or better.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student should complete the Advancement to Candidacy form after planning a degree program in consultation with a Program faculty advisor. The form must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.
Project/Thesis or Examination Registration
The approved Master's Thesis/Project format guide is the American Psychological Association (APA) - latest edition. Enrollment in CHDV 504 Project/Thesis course requires that the student file an Intent to Register form at least one full semester in advance of registration in these courses. For students intending to complete a project or thesis, a proposal must be approved prior to beginning the project or thesis. The proposal requires approval from the thesis/project sponsor, a second reader, and the Graduate Coordinator or Department Chair. Please see your list of deadlines and consult with a Program advisor. Additional information about CHDV theses and projects may be found in the Thesis/Project handbook on the Department web page.
Check in the Department office for the policies regarding Report in Progress ("RP") grades and continuous enrollment.
Graduation
Prior to graduation, an application for graduation must be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies. In addition, all coursework leading to the Master's degree must be completed within a seven-year period.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Pre or Corequisites (6 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Qualitative Methods in Human Development | ||
| Combined Research Methods in Human Development | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Human Development | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cognitive Development | ||
| Social and Emotional Development | ||
| Total Units | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Foundation Courses (12 Units) | ||
| CHAD 200 | Proseminar in Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| CHAD 242 | Theoretical Approaches to Development | 3 |
| CHAD 247 | Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on Cross-cultural Development | 3 |
| Select one of the Methods courses: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Core Course Requirements (9 Units) | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Seminar in Social Development | ||
| Seminar in Cognitive Development | ||
| Selected Topics in Developmental Theory | ||
| Motivation and Learning in Children | ||
| Curriculum and Instruction | ||
| Language Processes in Development | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Apprenticeship in Advanced Child Development | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Practicum in Child Development | ||
| Issues in Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities | ||
| Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select 3 units in consultation with an advisor | 3 | |
| Culminating Experience (6 Units) | ||
| Thesis or Project | ||
| CHAD 290 | Writing a Proposal | 3 |
| CHAD 504 | Culminating Experience in Child Development: Thesis or Project | 3 |
| Total Units | 30 | |
| 1 | Course may not count as both a Foundation and Core. |
Note: Credit for CHAD 504 is given upon completion of a thesis, project, or other approved culminating experience. Open only to graduate students who have been advanced to candidacy for the Master's degree and have secured the permission of their faculty advisor and the Department Chair one full semester prior to registration. All forms may be obtained in the Department office or on the College website.