Study child development in a program that offers a flexible course of study and well-established resources for hands-on learning.
In the Master of Arts in Child Development program, students explore the lives of children as the interaction of intellectual, emotional, social, and imaginative streams. The program combines in-depth study of primary theoretical perspectives with practical fieldwork, and encourages students to study children in a wide range of social contexts and environments.
Academic Program
In close consultation with faculty advisors, students develop a plan of study individualized to their academic interests and long-term goals.
All courses are taught as seminars with no more than 15 students. In conjunction with each course, students meet biweekly with their instructors for individual conferences, during which they design independent projects that often draw on fieldwork experience.
This unique MA program takes a progressive approach to studying child development by exploring the lives of children as the interaction of intellectual, emotional, social and imaginative streams. It combines in-depth study of primary theoretical perspectives with practical fieldwork, preparing you to support the complex needs of children and their families.
NEW in 2023
- Dual Degree in the Art of Teaching and Child Development MSEd/MA - this new program will take three years to complete and lead to an MSEd degree in the Art of Teaching and an MA degree in Child Development. Learn more here.
- Opportunities for Collaboration and the Flexibility to Decide Your Academic Path - students enrolled in the Art of Teaching MSEd and the Child Development MA programs will share much of the same curriculum in the first semester. This allows students in both programs to work together collaboratively and build relationships with one another that will last throughout their time at SLC and beyond! An added benefit is that after this first semester, students have the option to change the path they wish to take. Students may decide to pursue the Child Development MA, the Art of Teaching MSEd, or our new, three-year Dual Degree in the Art of Teaching and Child Development MSEd/MA. This provides significant flexibility for students as they explore various potential career pathways.
Why pursue a Master of Arts degree in Child Development from Sarah Lawrence College?
- In close consultation with faculty mentors, you will develop your own plan of study individualized to your academic interests and long-term career goals
- You’ll have access to on-campus resources including the Early Childhood Center, one of the country’s first laboratory schools, and the Child Development Institute
- We have been pioneers in the field of Child Development for almost 50 years and are one of the few institutions in the country to focus on play therapy
- You will be immersed in child development theory through small seminar classes
- This degree prepares you to work directly with infants, children and their families in various settings, such as in early intervention or play therapy contexts, for teaching child development at an intermediate level, or for pursuing doctoral study in clinical psychology
- Our dual degree MA/MSW option with NYU Silver School for Social Work provides you with the unique opportunity to earn two complimentary degrees, preparing you to meet the unique needs of children and their families as a social worker
- Our Art of Teaching/Child Development (MSEd/MA) dual degree option also leads to New York State Early Childhood (birth to 2nd grade) and Childhood (1st to 6th grade) Teacher Certification
Program Overview
- The program offers immersion in child development theory through small seminars and one-on-one conferences with faculty.
- Through a partnership with the NYU Silver School of Social Work, Sarah Lawrence offers a dual degree in social work and child development.
- Sarah Lawrence offers a dual degree in early childhood and childhood education and child development (MSEd/MA).
- Specialized resources available to students include the Early Childhood Center and the Child Development Institute, which offers lectures, conferences, activities, and outreach programs.
Program Requirements
A total of 48 credits are required for an MA in Child Development. The program can be completed on a full-time basis in two years or part-time in three years.
- Graduate course work (31 credits)
- Graduate seminar (3 credits)
- Fieldwork (2 credits)
- Master’s thesis (12 credits)
Typical Course of Study
While most students will follow the program outlined below, in some cases students may take courses in a field other than psychology, such as anthropology or biology, or take elective courses for credit.
Year One
Fall
- Theories of Development (5 credits)
- Observation and Documentation (3 credits)
- Fieldwork (1 credit)
- Psychology Elective (3 credits)
Spring
- Human Development in Context (5 credits)
- Graduate Seminar 1 (1 credit)
- Fieldwork (1 credit)
- Psychology Elective (5 credits)
Year Two
Fall
- Psychology Elective (5 credits)
- Graduate Seminar 2 (1 credits)
- Master’s Thesis (6 credits)
Spring
- Psychology Elective (5 credits)
- Graduate Seminar 3 (1 credit)
- Master’s Thesis (6 credits)
Fieldwork
Fieldwork provides opportunities for observation, research, and practicum experience with children.
- First-year placements are at the Early Childhood Center, the campus laboratory school that allows students to study typical development of children from ages 2 through 6.
- Advanced field placements are optional and include research and clinical settings such as therapeutic preschools, community programs, and elementary or secondary schools.
- Additionally, students have the opportunity to work alongside Center for the Urban River (CURB) education staff to learn about environmental education and gain firsthand experience with students of various ages as they engage in natural environments.
Master's Thesis
Dual Degree in Art of Teaching & Child Development MSEd/MA
The collaboration between our Art of Teaching and Child Development programs and across the entire Children, Childhood, and Education Collaborative is long-standing and unique. Over the past several years, we have worked to formalize these collaborations and intersections further to bring prospective students a whole host of ways in which to pursue their studies. We are pleased to announce the launch of a Dual Degree in the Art of Teaching and Child Development. This new program will take three years to complete and lead to an MSEd degree in the Art of Teaching and an MA degree in Child Development. Learn more.
Dual Degree in Social Work and Child Development MSW/MA
In cooperation with New York University, Sarah Lawrence College offers a dual degree in Dual Degree in Social Work and Child Development MSW/MA. Students in this program can pursue study leading to a master’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Child Development.
Did you know?
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) is one of the longest existing college laboratory schools in the United States. Learn more here.