Tufts University - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

MASTER’S PROGRAM IN

CHILD STUDY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Choose a career that can make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families.

ENTRY TERM:
Fall

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
April 15, 2026

 

No GRE required

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

Interested in child development? Discover the possibilities of a master’s degree in child study and human development from Tufts. For more information, including application requirements, please complete the form below.

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ENTRY TERM:
Fall

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
April 15, 2026

 

No GRE required

1922

The year the Eliot-Pearson Children’s School was founded as the Ruggles Street School—one of the first nursery schools in the country

30

Master’s degree programs—in specialties from art history to physics—offered by the Tufts Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

132

Graduate and professional clubs and organizations to participate in

125,000+

Join a network with 125,000+ Tufts University alumni

Make a Difference from Day One

  • Participate in innovative research and faculty-led projects that lead to real, meaningful advances for children and their families.
  • Put theory into practice at renowned teaching hospitals, clinics, schools, child-focused technology and media centers, juvenile justice facilities, and other Boston institutions.
  • Gain the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to take on high-impact roles after graduation and help drive community change.

Jump-Start Your Future at Tufts

Change Children's Lives For The Better
Our MA in Child Study and Human Development will empower you to unleash your potential and create life-changing opportunities for children and their families. Through specialized research and applied work in the field, you’ll be well-prepared for a future that directly impacts the lives of our youth. Choose either the applied or thesis track to engage in personalized study geared toward a wide range of child development careers.

Be Inspired Every Day
With expertise that ranges from developmental psychology to early childhood use of technology, our faculty believes all young people should have the opportunity to reach their potential. If you feel the same, you’ll find yourself inspired each and every day by our program. Our professors will immerse you in interdisciplinary research that touches upon almost every major influence in a child’s life—and with every assignment and class you take, you’ll be reminded of exactly why you’re here: to make an impact in the lives of children and improve their communities.

Discover Academic Excellence
The Tufts Child Study and Human Development program is distinguished by the opportunities it provides students to work closely with faculty every step of the way. Graduate students have the chance to collaborate with and learn from some of the most renowned experts in the country, all while seamlessly transitioning from graduate studies to a full-time career. 

Establish Your Professional Network
Meet the people who can help you jump-start your career in child study and human development. At Tufts, you’ll be able to cultivate your passions in a dynamic and supportive environment—and with so many of our professors bringing their professional practice into the classroom, you’ll have direct access to their professional networks after graduation.

Generous Scholarships are Available

Tufts University offers merit and need-based tuition scholarships for graduate programs, as well as fellowships and other special funding opportunities. Be sure to indicate your interest within the Financial Aid section of your application.

GRE General Test scores not required for applicants who will have received a degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution by time of enrollment. GRE scores required for all other applicants.

Define your own career path—and walk it confidently.

  • Learn from and work alongside some of the field’s foremost faculty.
  • Collaborate with other passionate students in small, close-knit classes.
  • Pursue a personalized path of study that allows you to span disciplines and tailor a curriculum of courses and experiences to your unique goals.
  • Prepare for a variety of careers in education, technology, medicine, law, or academia.

 “I feel so thankful that this is the school and the program I ended up in. I have felt so supported by the faculty, who go above and beyond to encourage our interests and help create opportunities for growth. In each course I’ve taken thus far, my foundation of developmental theory has strengthened, my perspective has broadened, and my goals for the future have become more focused.” 

– Libby Hunt, AG21, Child Study and Human Development