Contact
Rachel Razza, Graduate Director, 144 White Hall 315-443-7377, rrazza@syr.edu
Faculty
Colleen Baish Cameron, D. Bruce Carter, Joseph P. Fanelli, Irene Kehres, Ambika Krishnakumar, Eunjoo Jung, Teresa MacDonald, Matthew Mulvaney, Kamala Ramadoss, Rachel Razza, Jaipaul L. Roopnarine
Program Description
The master’s degree (M.A./M.S.) in child and family studies promotes an understanding of children, families, and the ways to facilitate their development. With an emphasis on the importance of social-cultural context, students gain broad knowledge of the study of childhood and family systems across various cultural and societal contexts throughout the lifespan.
The program requires completion of 30 credits and active research focusing on child development, family studies, or early childhood education. In addition, it trains graduate students in early childhood education through campus internships at the Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School.
Students in the department may earn a master of arts (M.A.) or a master of science (M.S.) degree gaining specialization in the areas of child development, family studies, or early childhood education.
All students must complete the core course requirements. Depending upon their interests, master’s students focus their coursework in the specific areas of child development, family studies, or early childhood education. Supplemental coursework may be selected from additional CFS courses and other University departments such as anthropology, psychology, education, sociology, gerontology, social science, nutrition, special education, or women’s studies. All students must file a tentative program of study in their second semester. Students transferring courses from another institution must file a program of study prior to completing 12 credits at Syracuse University.
In addition to course work, an M.S. degree requires the completion of a master’s thesis. The M.A. requires a master’s project (See graduate manual for details).
The concentration in early childhood education focuses on the application of principles derived from child and family studies to educational programs for young children. Students selecting this concentration have an opportunity to participate in preschool programs at the Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School to develop skills for supervision of preservice or paraprofessional teacher trainees.
The M.A./M.S. programs prepare students to work directly with children and families in various educational, familial or community settings. Courses and training emphasize multicultural perspectives in child and family relationships and diverse research methodologies and scholarship.
Admissions
Students seeking admission to the Department of Human Development and Family Science must meet the general admissions requirements of the Graduate School. While no single factor determines entry to the program, competitive applicants typically have a minimum of: 1) GPA of 3.00 or higher (undergraduate and/or master’s degree); 2) GRE score of 144 Quantitative score, 153 Verbal score (exam taken on or after August 1st, 2011); Combined GRE score of 1000 (exam taken before August 1, 2011). Please note, the GRE exam must be taken within the last five years); 3) TOEFL scores of 577 (paper test) and 100 for the Internet based (IBT) test (For international students whose primary language is not English).
Financial Support
Falk College academic programs offer a limited number of graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships. Graduate admissions officers in each graduate program allocate this financial aid based largely on merit. Graduate assistantships in the form of research assistantships and teaching assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis from among applications received by February 1; assistantships are usually not available at any other time of the year.
Research assistants are required to assist their sponsoring faculty to perform research. Teaching assistants are required to assist with undergraduate/graduate instruction, this includes teaching assistantships at the Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School. Recipients of these assistantships receive a stipend in addition to a tuition scholarship.
Syracuse University fellowships are awarded competitively from applications received by January 1 on an all-University basis. Doctoral fellows receive a stipend, plus a tuition scholarship of 30 credits for the academic year. Fellows devote full time to their studies and are not assigned duties.
To apply for University fellowships or College assistantships, check the proper place on the application for admission.
Transfer Credit
Master’s students are limited to a maximum of 6 transfer credits.
Part-time Study
Students may pursue their graduate degree on a full or part-time basis. Students must enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours for full-time status. Students enrolled in six credit hours or less are considered part-time.
Satisfactory Progress
Per University Rules and Regulations, graduate students must earn a minimum average of 3.000 for work comprising the program for the degree or certificate and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.800.
To maintain good standing, all CFS graduate students are required to:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, including courses taken outside the department (e.g., anthropology, education, psychology, sociology, etc.).
- Earn a B or better in all required courses.
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