Program Description
The Master of Science Program in Child Development and
Child Care, located in the School of Social Work, emphasizes
the integration of knowledge of human development with the
skills and expertise essential for developing, implementing
and evaluating effective programs for children, youth, and
families. Students take foundational course work covering
human development from conception through adolescence. The
developmental course work pays special attention to the
every day lives of children and youth, including those with
special needs, within the family, neighborhood, school and
larger social-cultural context. Course work in Child and
Youth Care Practice emphasizes professional issues, program
design and evaluation, counseling skills, and qualitative
research methods. Students combine foundational course work
with selected internships and planned elective courses to
specialize in any of the following areas:
- Children's Literature and Literacy (in
cooperation with the School of Library and Information
Sciences)
- Early Care
- Early Childhood Education Teacher
Certification (in cooperation with the School of
Education)
- Family Support
- Youth Development
- Child Life
- Family Intervention
- Group Care
- Play Therapy
- Management
- Education/Training and Research
- Individually Designed Specialization
Unique Features
The Child Development and Child Care program is unique in
its emphasis on theory-in-practice, aimed at the utilization
of research and theory in actual services to children,
youth, and families. Special emphasis is placed on
understanding the lives and development of children, youth,
and families in social/cultural context. The program
emphasizes the use of qualitative research methods
and program evaluation, as compared to quantitative,
experimental procedures. The program is also unique in its
focus on the field of child and youth care practice,
including skills in making complex assessments about clients
and program need, designing and implementing programs and
planned environments, integrating therapeutic and
developmental requirements into the life space, contributing
to the development of knowledge and practice and
participating in systems interventions through supervision,
administration, teaching, consultation, and advocacy.
Program Endorsement and Listing
The MS Program in Child Development/Child Care of the
University of Pittsburgh is endorsed as an academic program
by the National Organization of Child Care Worker
Association (NOCCWA).The program is also listed as an
academic program to prepare Child Life Specialists by the
Child Life Council.
Unique Features
The Child Development and Child Care Program is unique in
its emphasis on theory-in-practice, aimed at the
utilization of research and theory in actual services to
children, youth and families. Special emphasis is placed on
understanding the lives and development of children, youth
and families in social/cultural context. The program
emphasizes the use of qualitative research methods
and program evaluation, as compared to quantitative
experimental procedures. The program is also unique in its
focus on the field of child and youth care practice,
including skills in making complex assignments about clients
and program needs, designing and implementing programs and
planned environments, integrating therapeutic and
developmental requirements into the life space, contributing
to the development of knowledge and practice and
participating in systems intervention through supervision,
administration, teaching consultation, and advocacy.
Job Opportunities
Graduates of the program are equipped to work in a wide
variety of professional settings, including day treatment,
group homes, residential centers, detention centers, early
care and education, early intervention, home-based support
and intervention psychiatric centers, and pediatric health
care programs. Graduates of the program hold positions as:
- Program Administrators and Supervisors
- Child Developmental Specialists
- Youth Workers
- Child Life Specialists
- Case Workers
- Family Support/Intervention Specialists
- Research Associates in Universities
- Faculty in Community Colleges
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