All students must complete the M.A./M.S. 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.

For students majoring in child and family studies, career opportunities exist in programs and agencies serving children, youth, and families, and in other community services.