This program teaches students to embrace a practitioner-scholar model that inspires and supports the development of knowledge, skills and dispositions essential to fostering healthy growth and learning of children and families in a diverse society, including leadership and advocacy, for children up to age eighteen.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to: Synthesize research-based theories including principles and practices of child and adolescent development and learning. Utilize critical thinking skills to analyze, evaluate, and make decisions concerning complex contemporary issues and the interactions among individuals and across societies. Utilize scientific methodologies to research human development from infancy through adolescence. Exhibit the ability to use evidence based assessment systems and curriculum planning systems to support children's learning and development. Knowledge of development in all learning domains from conception through adolescent, including knowledge about typical and atypical development. Demonstrates the ability to promote developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies to address diverse approaches to learning.