Child Studies (MA)

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Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Education

Faculty

Faculty of Arts & Science

Program type

Thesis, Course-based

Primary campus

Sir George Williams (SGW)

Duration

2 years

Credits

45 credits

Start term

Fall

Experiential learning

Internship

Program overview

The MA in Child Studies investigates child cognition, emotion, social functioning, language, literacy, numeracy, moral development, special needs learners, and play. Education researchers also consider the critical role that families, peers, teachers, schools, inclusive practices, communities and culture play in development. They examine factors that shape children’s development using quantitative, mixed method, and qualitative approaches (including arts-based methodologies). Students also have access to our Observation Nursery to document children’s learning processes. Faculty members offer individualized mentorship and support, allowing students to link theory to practice while completing an internship project or thesis. Montreal provides numerous settings in which students can work with children and families in both English and French, including Quebec’s universal childcare system, preschool programs, diverse schools (including French immersion and alternative schools), after-school programs, two children's hospitals, and community services.

Program structure

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.

Please see the Education Courses page for course descriptions.

Child Studies MA (45 credits)

45	credits chosen from: Child Studies MA with Thesis Child Studies MA with Internship

Child Studies MA with Thesis (45 credits)

credits of Core Courses:

• CHST 600 Advanced Child Development (3.00)

• CHST 603 Seminar: Issues in Child Studies (3.00)

• CHST 605 Quantitative Methods of Inquiry (3.00)

• CHST 606 Qualitative Methods of Inquiry (3.00)

• CHST 608 Field Observations (3.00)

credits minimum of Elective Courses chosen from the following courses, in consultation with the student’s advisor:

• CHST 610 Applied Cognition and Learning (3.00)

• CHST 614 Social Processes (3.00)

• CHST 618 Childhood Settings (3.00)

• CHST 620 Children’s Play: From Theory to Practice (3.00)

• CHST 622 The Family (3.00)

• CHST 624 Curriculum Models in Childhood Settings (3.00)

• CHST 630 Issues in Education: Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Scientific Reasoning (3.00)

• CHST 632 Issues in Inclusive and Special Education (3.00)

• CHST 640 Special Topics in Child Studies (3.00)

• CHST 650 Directed Study (3.00)

credits Thesis Proposal, Research, and Thesis:

• CHST 697 Thesis Proposal (3.00)

• CHST 698 Research and Thesis (18.00)

Child Studies MA with Internship (45 credits)

credits of Core Courses:

• CHST 600 Advanced Child Development (3.00)

‌

• CHST 603 Seminar: Issues in Child Studies (3.00)

‌

• CHST 605 Quantitative Methods of Inquiry (3.00)

‌

• CHST 606 Qualitative Methods of Inquiry (3.00)

‌

• CHST 608 Field Observations (3.00)

‌

credits minimum of Elective Courses chosen from the following courses, in consultation with the academic advisor:

• CHST 610 Applied Cognition and Learning (3.00)

‌

• CHST 614 Social Processes (3.00)

‌

• CHST 618 Childhood Settings (3.00)

‌

• CHST 620 Children’s Play: From Theory to Practice (3.00)

‌

• CHST 622 The Family (3.00)

‌

• CHST 624 Curriculum Models in Childhood Settings (3.00)

‌

• CHST 630 Issues in Education: Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Scientific Reasoning (3.00)

‌

• CHST 632 Issues in Inclusive and Special Education (3.00)

‌

• CHST 640 Special Topics in Child Studies (3.00)

‌

• CHST 650 Directed Study (3.00)

‌

credits Proposal, Field Placements, and Report:

• CHST 690 Internship Proposal (3.00)

‌

• CHST 691 Internship Field Placement I (3.00)

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• CHST 692 Internship Field Placement II (6.00)

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• CHST 699 Internship Report (6.00)

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Consult the Graduate Calendar for the complete list of courses

Admission requirements

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate degree with a minimum of a B average and a significant concentration in child studies, education or related discipline.
Minimum one year of professional experience in the field of child care, education or related areas is desirable.
Bilingualism is an asset, but not a requirement.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Application process

Review these four steps before applying

Make sure to check for program specific requirements

Application deadlines

FALL

December 1

WINTER

n/a

SUMMER

n/a

Priority will be given to complete applications submitted by the deadline. In some cases, programs may continue to accept applications as long as there is space available.

International students: Considering the waiting period involved in meeting the entry requirements to Canada and Quebec, we strongly encourage international applicants to apply early and submit supporting documents prior to the deadline.

Tuition & funding

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees of the program may depend on your student status, among other key factors. Estimate these costs based on the most common situations.

Use the tuition & fee estimator

Awards and funding

Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching and research assistantships are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies. Research and thesis-based students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria. No separate application is required.

Learn more about entrance awards

The Quebec and Canadian governments offer a number of competitive graduate scholarships. We encourage you to apply for these awards at the same time you are preparing your application.

Consult the list of awards available

Other programs of interest

Develop a diverse set of research skills that allow you to analyze complex educational problems with insight and depth. Graduate to influence policy and practice in a variety of educational settings.

Department

Department of Education

Faculty

Faculty of Arts & Science

View program details

Child Studies (MA)

Program overview