Master of Arts in Human Development

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Program Overview

The MA program in Human Development is designed to provide advanced study in theory and application of growth and development of individuals and systems across the lifespan. As Master’s candidates, students are immersed in theories of human development and in the biological, psychological, emotional, sociological, and cultural factors that contribute to an individual’s growth, development and sense of self in context. Students learn to critically evaluate the implications of these factors and serve as leaders and practitioners who support optimal outcomes for people and the ecologies where they develop.

Graduates are prepared to effectively apply human development theories and principles in their roles as educators, supervisors, leaders, innovators, caregivers and in other capacities in which they play an intentional role in the development of children and adults across the lifespan. This program builds competence in human development, knowledge of the social, cultural, and political contexts of development, communication, research, and the integration of theory into practice, to prepare graduates to lead in an array of settings, serving a wide range of individuals and families.  The attainment of applied experience is critical to students who are committed to and engaged in their communities.  To ensure this is accomplished Field Experiences at an approved site are a requirement of the MA program in Human Development.  Contributions to the wider body of intellectual, experiential and applied knowledge are critical and the completion of a Thesis is required for successful fulfillment of the MA degree program in Human Development

Concentrations are additional areas of focus which are designed to immerse students in a more specific area of the developmental process.  Some concentrations are available only in Pasadena. The MA concentrations are Early Childhood Education and Development, Social Change, Leadership in Education and Human Services and Ecological Perspectives of Lifespan Development.

Locations

Pasadena, Online, San Jose and *Off-campus locations

*The availability of Off-campus locations depends on enrollment

Philosophy

The Human Development Department exists to foster individual growth and prepare students to become responsible child and family/human service professionals whose practice and understanding reflect Pacific Oaks’ mission to promote the principles of social justice, advocacy, respect for diversity and the uniqueness of each person.

Pacific Oaks offers the interdisciplinary M.A. degree in Human Development for the preparation of Leadership personnel in professions serving young children and their families.

Program Learning Outcomes

Development: Students evaluate, analyze and apply developmental and ecological theories to construct frameworks that effectively incorporate their self-constructed theories.

Diversity: Students value diversity and multiculturalism by demonstrating a commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion.  They are able to identify, analyze and evaluate the dynamics and intersectionality of institutional and individual biases and how each manifests power.

Communication: Students implement, analyze and evaluate individual, dyad and group communications for efficacy, clarity, appropriate audience reception and authenticity.  Students effectively use communication skills to support experiences of empowerment for self and others.

Research: Students demonstrate skills to effectively consume, analyze, interpret and create scholarly, research based work grounded in professional, social and personal contexts.  Students work to address how their lived experiences are connected to research and how issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-bias are imbedded explicitly or implicitly in the research.

Praxis: Students implement a philosophy of learning reflective of developmental theories guided by observation and grounded in a lens of equity and multiculturalism. Students evaluate these actions based on results and their impact on other persons, groups and systems (ethics, values, principles and empowerment).  Students create and implement developmentally and culturally appropriate practice with individuals and systems.  Praxis will involve activities such as practica, fieldwork or student teaching.

Admissions Standards

Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher, from a regionally accredited institution

Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

Number of Admit Terms per Year

Ground: 3

Fall

Spring

Summer

Online: 6

Fall Sessions I & II

Spring Sessions I & II

Summer Sessions I & II

Application Requirements:

Completed Application for Admission

Application Fee

Resume

Personal Statement

Official Transcripts Regionally Accredited Bachelor’s Degree Granting Institution showing date of Degree Conferral

Transfer of credit and waiver of courses

Transfer credit and waiver of courses are not accepted in the M.A. in Human Development program.

Residency requirement

It is expected that students will fulfill all degree requirements through courses offered at Pacific Oaks College.

Program Specific requirements

Prior to registering for classes each semester (fall, spring, and summer), it is recommended that students meet with their advisor to identify the appropriate classes to take and to review their progress towards degree completion.

The program requires 15 credits of core coursework; 6 credits of thesis coursework; and variable credits of concentration coursework and other program electives necessary to fulfill a total of 30 credits for program completion.

Fieldwork requirements

All M.A. and Credential programs require fieldwork or field experience appropriate to the program emphasis.  Fieldwork is study and learning that consist of practical and applied activities completed outside of the classroom or typical learning environment. 

Thesis

6 credits of thesis are required: Ground programs:HD 688A - Thesis Cohort A* (ground programs)  (3) and HD 688C - Thesis Cohort: Project* (ground programs)  (3). Online programs: HD677A (2), HD677B (2), and HD677C (2). Students who do not complete thesis by the end of HD 688C  (ground) or HD677C (online) are required to enroll in HD 699C Thesis Continuation (0) until the Thesis Committee formally grants approval.

Thesis Submission

General Requirements

Your thesis should be written in a standard font and font size, such as Arial or Times New Roman 12-point font. It should be double spaced, with one inch margins. You must number your pages according to APA guidelines.

You must include a title page, table of content and Reference page. Your table of contents may be as detailed as you choose, but it must at least direct readers to each chapter of your thesis.  You should use APA formatted in-text citations and references, and follow APA standard formatting for headings, tables, etc.

Any images, including diagrams, charts, and photographs, must be created by you, or include attribution (reference) for reprinted materials. Please contact the library if you have any questions about copyright, or review information here and here.

Title Page
Your title page should contain the following elements:

• The title of your thesis.
• The statement “Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Human Development” or the equivalent statement for your degree.
• Your full name as it appears in the school’s records. Please do not use nicknames.
• The full names of committee members, with a line for each of them to sign on
• Month and year of submission (i.e. May 2012)

Submission to Library

• Complete thesis submission will include
  1) An electronic copy of the final version of your thesis, in either Word or PDF    
  2) A scanned (PDF) or photocopy of the title page with your committee’s signatures if it cannot be included in the thesis
• The electronic copy of your thesis should be a single document, and include your title page, a table of contents, the body of your thesis, and your references.
• Submit your thesis to POthesis@pacificoaks.edu, with the subject line “Your full name - Thesis submission”.  Submissions should come from PO student emails.  Emails with documents and attachments from unsecure (non-PO) emails will be deleted without review due to electronic security concerns. Photocopied title pages with signatures may be submitted in person or mailed.
• The library will make a good faith effort to check thesis to ensure they follow correct APA formatting.  Students will be notified via email if they need to re-submit making any necessary corrections.  It’s the student’s responsibility to review and correct necessary changes.  It is advised that all thesis students seeking help with APA make appointments with library staff well in advance of submission deadlines to ensure acceptance of completed thesis.

For thesis due dates, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

Graduation requirements

Students are required to submit the Petition for Degree Completion and fee to the Registrar’s Office the semester before they anticipate completing their degree requirements. Students must submit the application, settle all outstanding fees with the Student Finance Office, satisfy any contingencies, and be in good standing in their program for the Master’s degree to be awarded.

Note: A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation.

Course length

Please refer to the program course and delivery section found here: Academic Calendar

Off-campus Locations and Online Learning

Human Development sponsors degree programs in California outside of Pasadena at Off-campus locations. (Site locations can be found on the website).