MA CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION

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 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, the CDFE MA 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.

Why study MA Child Development and Family Education at XJTLU?

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

• immersion in studies of cutting-edge theories and successful case studies, as well as broad and localised knowledge to further your studies, understanding, and support of children throughout their development;
• an interdisciplinary and diversified curriculum that meets the market demand for CDFE professionals, covering education, psychology, sociology, demography and cultural research;
• research-led and practice-oriented modules, including credit-bearing internship opportunities for all students;
• 600 hours of additional supervised learning activities throughout the programme;
• an international learning environment with English as the language of instruction, providing learning opportunities with child development and family education experts and scholars; and
• the opportunity to earn a University of Liverpool degree that is recognised by China’s Ministry of Education.

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.

Modules may be scheduled between 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and from Monday to Saturday.