Master of Arts

Program Description

The Developmental Psychology and Education program offers studies leading to the MA, MEd, and PhD degrees. Students have an opportunity to construct an overall perspective on developmental psychology and human development and their implications for practice with children in educational and other applied settings.

Students take foundation courses in human development and research methodology in consultation with their advisor. Elective courses cover a range of areas including cognitive, social, and emotional development; cognition and instruction (language, literacy, and mathematics); special education and adaptive instruction; developmental neuroscience; advanced research methodology and evaluation; and early childhood policy and programs, including child care. The MA program is designed for students wishing to pursue an academic or research-based career.

Delivery modes: Although not all elective courses are offered in each modality, students may be able to complete the MA degree program through one of two delivery modes:

• in-person (students will mainly complete their coursework and other program requirements in-person, with up to one-third of their coursework online); and
• hybrid (students will experience a mix of modes of engagement, with some of their coursework and other program requirements in-person and between one-third and two-thirds of their coursework online) depending on their choice of elective courses.

Note: students should consult with their faculty advisor and/or graduate liaison officer regarding available options.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree with the equivalent of a University of Toronto A– or better. Although most applicants will have a degree in psychology, applicants with an appropriate bachelor's degree in cognitive science, computer science, linguistics, or a helping profession such as occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, nursing, social work, or another discipline relevant to their specific program of study are also eligible to apply for admission.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • APD1209H Research Methods and Thesis Preparation in Human Development and Applied Psychology (0.5 FCE).

  • JOI1288H Intermediate Statistics and Research Design (RM) (0.5 FCE).

  • Two elective courses (1.0 FCE total) chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, which may include APD2252H Individual Reading and Research (0.5 FCE).

  • Students who have not taken a previous course in human development are required to take APD1201H Child and Adolescent Development (0.5 FCE) or an equivalent.

  • In addition to their required 2.0 FCEs, students who have not taken a previous course in statistics are required to take JOI1287H Introduction to Applied Statistics or an equivalent course.

• Master's thesis.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time