Child Development and Family Education (part time)

The family is a child’s first school, and parents are their first teachers. As such, the quality of family education directly affects children’s physical and mental health. With the rapid growth of information technology in the 21st century, the next generation of parents is experiencing unprecedented challenges and changes in the typical family structure, leading to an increasing focus on child development and family education (CDFE). However, there is currently a lack of family education professionals to meet this growing need. These new professionals must not only understand child development but also be qualified to provide therapeutic relief for families facing challenges in the modern world. This part-time MA programme aims to help learners gain in-depth knowledge, skills and hands-on experience in child development and family education through the combination of research-led and practice-oriented modules. With three different pathway options, Family and Social Work, Educational Psychology and Counselling, and Teaching and Learning, this part-time programme focuses on the cultivation of transferable skills and innovative thinking to ensure our graduates achieve great success in their future careers. This programme provides the foundation for the home-school-community education paradigm that is rapidly gaining traction throughout society.

The Academy of Future Education boasts an international academic staff team and learning environment. Over 95% of its teaching staff have overseas study and work experience, and they are graduates from world-renowned top universities including Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Pennsylvania, University of Hong Kong, Columbia University, etc.

Why study MA Child Development and Family Education at XJTLU?

This programme offers three distinct pathways aligned with diverse student interests and evolving sector needs. Pathway focuses typically include family education and parenting support, school-based wellbeing and counselling, and special/inclusive education. Project-based learning is embedded in every module so you can address real briefs from educational settings, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and graduate with a portfolio of evidence-based solutions. With a growing shortage of CDFE specialists—and rising demand for professionals in family education, mental health and counselling, and special needs education—our practice-informed curriculum equips you with the knowledge, practical tools, and confidence to meet urgent workforce needs.

By studying MA Child Development and Family Education, you will have:

• Clearly defined pathway options that let you specialise while building a strong shared foundation in child development.
• Project-based learning throughout, culminating in authentic deliverables such as intervention plans, family workshops, assessment reports, and programme evaluations.
• Research-led teaching combined with practice-informed tasks, ensuring you translate theory into measurable impact.
• Close academic mentorship, small collaborative project teams, and regular feedback to accelerate your growth.
• Emphasis on ethical practice, safeguarding, cultural competence, and effective communication with children, families, teachers, and community partners.
• Skill-building across assessment and screening, counselling and guidance strategies (age-appropriate), inclusive pedagogy, data literacy, and outcome evaluation.
• Engagement with local educational organisations and community stakeholders through briefs and events that broaden your professional network.

There are three pathways for students enrolled in the MA Child Development and Family Education programme to choose from:

1. The Family and Social Work Pathway equips students to drive positive change in family and social settings. It covers multiple influential factors such as family education, child and adolescent mental health, and programme development. Emphasising holistic support, it addresses evolving needs in social and familial contexts, exploring the intersection of family dynamics and mental health.
2. The Educational Psychology and Counselling Pathway is designed to equip students to become effective counsellors and advocates for individuals with diverse learning needs. Its modular curriculum places a strong emphasis on theories and practices related to counselling, special education, and tailored intervention strategies for diverse populations, ensuring students are prepared to provide effective support and instruction across educational settings.
3. The Teaching and Learning Pathway equips students to enhance educational systems through teaching and leadership roles, emphasising innovative teaching practices, and assessment and evaluation. Students gain expertise in K-12 programmes and classroom management, fostering an understanding of global education trends and the skills to drive positive change within diverse learning environments.

For part-time students, modules may be mainly scheduled in the evenings on weekdays or between 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays.