Master of Arts in Human Development

Return to: Academic Programs Offered at Pacific Oaks College

Locations

Pasadena, Online, and *Off-campus locations

*The availability of Off-campus locations depends on enrollment

Total Credit Hours Required - 30 Credit Hours

Maximum Allowable Transfer Credits Transfer credit and waiver of courses are not accepted in the MA in Human Development program.

Program Admissions Requirements -Program-Specific Admissions Requirements can be found here: Admissions Policies

Tuition and Fees Tuition and Fees for the College and individual programs can be found here: Financial Aid and Student Accounts Policies

Licensure Disclosures - N/A for the MA in Human Development

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 degree 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.  Attaining applied experience is critical to students 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, and Leadership in Education and Human Services.

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 MA 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 embedded 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.

Program specific requirements

The program requires 15 credits of core coursework; 6 credits of either thesis or action research project coursework; and 9 credits of concentration coursework to fulfill a total of 30 credits for program completion.

Fieldwork requirements

Fieldwork is required for all MA HD students. Fieldwork includes study and learning that consists of practical and applied activities completed outside of the classroom or typical learning environment.  Each student must engage in 45 hours of service at an approved fieldwork/internship site during the semester enrolled in the three-credit fieldwork course (HD 671).

Thesis

Six 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: HD 677A Thesis Proposal (online program)  (2), HD 677B Thesis Research Design (online program)  (2), and HD 677C Thesis Completion (online program)  (2). Students who do not complete their thesis by the end of HD 688C (ground) or HD677C (online) are required to enroll in HD 699C Thesis/Project Continuation  (0) until the Thesis Committee formally grants approval.

Residence Requirement

Students must fulfill all degree requirements through courses offered at Pacific Oaks College.

Course Length 

Please refer to the program course and delivery section found here: 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 Accounts 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.

Number of Admit Terms Per Year

Pasadena: 3

• Fall
• Spring
• Summer

Online: 6

• Fall Sessions I & II
• Spring Sessions I & II
• Summer Sessions I & II