Master of Arts in Child Development
About the Child Development Program
Graduates of the Child Development program are prepared for direct work with children in various settings, for teaching child development at an intermediate level, or for pursuing doctoral study in psychology and related fields. Program highlights include:
- Immersion in child development theory through small seminars and one-on-one conferences with faculty
- Fieldwork opportunities in locations ranging from therapeutic preschools to elementary and secondary schools to child-life programs on pediatric wards
- Access to on-campus resources including the Early Childhood Center, a pioneering laboratory school, and the Child Development Institute
Explore Further
Our Faculty
A Sarah Lawrence alumna herself, Child Development program director Barbara Schecter is a developmental psychologist with special interest in cultural psychology, developmental theories, and language and development. She is an author and researcher on cultural issues in development and metaphoric thinking in children.
The Sarah Lawrence faculty was ranked #1 in the country in The Princeton Review's 2013 edition of The Best 377 Colleges.
Our Alumni
Nicole Cirino '09 started in the Child Development program with a curiosity about the profound effects of her yoga practice, as well as the relational and psychological effects of yoga on her younger sisters. She spent her first year observing children's yoga classes and consulting the college library's dance literature, which discussed the psychotherapeutic effects of movement. This research, and a year-long Dance/Movement Therapy course, led to a thesis entitled "Bodies in Motion: An Experiential Study of Creative Movement and Yoga with Young Children."
Dual Degree Program with NYU
A dual degree in Social Work and Child Development is offered with the Silver School of Social Work at New York University, leading to a master’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Child Development.
How to Apply
The application deadline for admission to the Child Development graduate program is February 1.