Program Structure: Master of Arts in Child & Youth Study
The MA in Child & Youth Study has a broad focus and incorporates perspectives from a number of disciplines that address the contexts and processes of human development. This degree will give you the opportunities for further study and career development that will prepare you to become a leader in this expanding field. Graduates from the program are working in a variety of agencies and services for children, youth and families.
This Master’s program requires students to complete eight courses and a thesis.*
Please see the Graduate Academic Calendar for a full program description.
You may enrol in this program full-time or part-time.
A student who is enrolled in three courses per term is considered a full-time student. Students normally take one calendar year to research and write the thesis. Full-time students usually complete the program requirements in two years.
Students have up to five years to complete the program requirements, but most part-time students finish the program in three to four years. Part-time students must register in at least two courses per year.
*The Graduate Academic Calendar describes these requirements as 4.0 units of course work and a 1.0 unit thesis. One unit of coursework is the equivalent of one full-year course; 0.5 units of coursework represent a course that runs for one term only.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the MA (CYS), you must meet the following requirements:
- A four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Child & Youth Study, Education, Psychology, Family Studies & Gerontology, Sociology) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and experience in an area related to children and youth
- Undergraduate courses in research methods, statistics, and human development
The department encourages applications from individuals with a range of backgrounds. Applications will be considered on an individual basis. If you lack some of the required background, you may be accepted but required to take additional courses and/or complete a graduate internship.
To apply, complete the online application and submit a one- to two-page Statement of Intent describing your knowledge, your reason for applying to this program, career goals, and an explanation of how this program will help you reach those goals, and both professional and academic references.
For a full description of admission requirements, see the Graduate Academic Calendar.