COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s Degree in Child and Family Development at the University of Akron requires a structured combination of foundational courses, core courses, electives, and a capstone experience, totaling 30 credit hours. Foundational courses, which account for seven credit hours, include an orientation to graduate studies in child and family development, the science of social work, and grant and proposal writing, providing students with essential academic and professional skills. Core courses, totaling 12 credit hours, focus on key areas such as developmental parent-child interactions, family dynamics, child development theories, and development in infancy and early childhood, equipping students with a deep understanding of individual and family growth across the lifespan. Students are also required to select six credit hours of electives aligned with their academic and professional goals, which may include courses outside the Child and Family Development program, subject to faculty approval, allowing for customization and interdisciplinary learning. The program culminates in a five-credit capstone experience, where students choose between an advanced internship in child and family development or a master’s project, providing hands-on experience or research-based application of knowledge gained throughout the program. This comprehensive structure ensures graduates are well-prepared for careers that support children, families, and communities in diverse professional settings.