Major of Education and
Child Development

(Master's Program)

Responding to the diverse contemporary problems faced by children

Responding to the diverse contemporary problems faced by children Guided by the educational principle of “researching the mind and supporting the person,” the Graduate School of Psychology trains highly skilled professionals capable of building on their knowledge of psychology to play diverse societal roles. The objective of the Graduate Program in Education and Child Development is to train individuals to respond to increasingly complex contemporary issues including the rising incidence of bullying and refusal to attend school, the increase in children who need special support, child poverty and abuse, learning difficulties, and the declining desire to learn. Specifically, the program focuses on developing the following four competencies: first, the ability to understand and analyze contemporary issues faced by children from multiple perspectives; second, the ability to conduct assessments and consultations aimed at resolving children’s developmental issues; third, the ability to provide individual children with developmentally appropriate guidance and support for learning difficulties and other issues; and fourth, the ability to design and create a human and physical environment for children. In order to cultivate these competencies, our curriculum focuses on comprehensive theoretical and practical study of children’s psychological development and education, as well as the development of advanced supportive skills based in a comprehensive knowledge of psychology, education, and disabilities that enables engagement with children, parents and guardians, educators, and the educational environment. Although the Graduate Program in Education and Child Development is exclusively a master’s program, it is linked to the university’s Doctoral Program in Psychology (Education and Child Development concentration).

Admission Policy


TOPICS

Available licenses and certifications

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the examination for licensure as a clinical developmental psychologist, as well as to receive special teaching certificates for kindergarten, elementary school, or special needs education.

About clinical developmental psychologists

A clinical developmental psychologist is a professional who views every person as needing support needs at certain points during their life development and has development-focused assessment and support skills from an inclusive perspective. We provide support for various issues, including childcare support, special support education, bullying, employment support, and support for the elderly. This major offers the designated courses and practical training necessary to qualify for the Certified Clinical Developmental Psychologist examination.*

*This major does not provide certification as a licensed psychologist.

About special teaching certificates

Special teaching certificates are one type of regular teaching certificate established under Article 4 of the Educational Personnel Certification Act (Act 147 of 1949). Students in this graduate program who have already obtained a Type 1 teaching certificate for kindergarten, elementary, or special needs education may obtain the corresponding special teaching certificate by attaining a master’s degree and completing classes related to attaining the special teaching certificate.*

*Please speak with us individually if you wish to obtain more than one type of special teaching certificate.

The Faculty of Psychology Institute for Psychological Research

The Faculty of Psychology Institute for Psychological Research was established with the objective of contributing to the advancement of the study of psychology and the resolution of various psychological problems. Two departments have been created in order to achieve this objective, a Research Department and a Counseling and Research Department (Clinical Psychology Center). The Research Department organizes public seminars targeted at the local community and plans and implements research projects. The Clinical Psychology Center provides counseling and support related to psychological and educational issues and mental and physical disabilities. The Center also serves as a clinical training site for undergraduate and graduate students in psychology.