明尼苏达大学双城分校

Students will gain knowledge of developmental processes and competence in the application of theory and research to practice and policy/research. Specialization happens via formal tracks in infant and early childhood mental health, child life, or individualized studies.

Program Sub-plans

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

The infant and early childhood mental health track is committed to the development of culturally competent, trauma-informed practitioners and policy makers through inter-disciplinary studies and supervised professional practice. The program philosophy is shaped by an ecological, multigenerational, relational model of development and intervention, attending to the ways biology, environment (i.e., family, culture, socioeconomic context), and individual history transact to promote health and pathology. The track consists of coursework and training in the application of developmental science to early childhood evidence-based practice and policy development. The training prepares practitioners to conceptualize case work with young children (0-5) and their caregivers, and prepares individuals to formulate and advocate research-based policy and practice in the area of children’s mental health.

Child Life

The child life track is committed to preparing child life specialists with a strong educational foundation in developmental science coupled with a thorough theoretical education in topics central to the child life profession such as illness and injury, therapeutic play and relationships, and childhood death and bereavement. Students will develop the skills necessary to promote family-centered care and work with children and their families who are living with chronic and acute healthcare challenges.

Individualized Studies

The individualized studies track prepares students whose work intersects with children and families with a strong academic foundation in developmental science, exposure to current issues and great challenges in developmental science, and the opportunity to craft a supporting program or add a graduate minor tailored to a student’s individual career goals. This track recognizes the wide ranging professions that benefit from integration with developmental science, such as policy development, evaluation studies, prevention science, parent education, among many other domains currently addressed via existing coursework at the University.