OISE/UT Bulletin 2000/2001 -- University of Toronto Graduate Studies in Education
Human Development and Applied Psychology - Human Development and Education Program
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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

This program will provide an opportunity for students to construct an overall perspective on human development and its implications for educational practice. Students are required to take core courses in human development and research design. Courses emphasize typical and atypical development in the cognitive and emotional domains, the impact of culture, family and social relationships on development, the role of formal and informal modes of learning, and strategies for modifying developmental outcomes and accommodating individual differences. The M.Ed. and Ed.D. programs are designed for the reflective teacher or other practitioner in education or related fields. The M.A. and Ph.D. programs are designed for students who wish to pursue an academic or research-based career.

Students are advised to carry out their studies within a specialization. The intent of the specializations is to guide students with specific interests into courses that might address those interests, and to ensure that their program of study has some coherence. If a student wishes to develop a focus of studies in an area other than those listed below, they may do so in consultation with their advisor. Students are strongly encouraged to designate a specialization at the time of application to the program. The three specializations are:

•Adaptive Instruction and Special Education

Students selecting this specialization develop an understanding of developmental diversity and the educational strategies that make learning accessible to children and adults with special needs.

•Applied Cognitive Science

Cognitive Science is a research-oriented specialization, emphasizing an apprenticeship approach. It focuses on research on human cognition including issues of human competence, models of mind, language and literacy, and computers in education. Applied Accordingly, whether students plan an academic research career or a career in a more applied setting, they are encouraged to involve themselves in research programs of members of the Centre for Applied Cognitive Science. These research programs cover a wide range of efforts to improve education by extending scientific understanding of the human mind. Applied Cognitive Science is broadly conceived, encompassing the emotional and cultural as well as the more purely intellectual aspects of mental life.

•Early Childhood

Courses in this specialization emphasize an integration of child development research and theory, classroom practice, educational issues, and the family environment with a focus on infants and young children.

MASTER OF EDUCATION

The M.Ed. program is designed primarily for students with teaching qualifications and experience who are working in the school system or in early childhood education settings, and for professionals working in community literacy programs, special needs offices in postsecondary institutions, and in other settings with children or adults with disabilities. The program is intended to help the student reflect on their practice and to further the development of their professional skills by integrating theory and practice.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.Ed. program normally requires a preparation equivalent to a University of Toronto three-year bachelor's degree with standing equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better. Applicants specifying a specialization in Adaptive Instruction and Special Education normally possess a teaching certificate and have one year of relevant professional experience. Applicants specifying a specialization in Early Childhood Education normally possess a teaching certificate or a certificate in early childhood education and have one year of relevant professional experience.

Program Requirements

The M.Ed. program is comprised of ten half-courses and a comprehensive examination and may be undertaken on a full- or part-time basis. Required courses (to be taken in the first year of program) are:

HDP1200 Foundations of Human Development and Education

HDP2293 Interpretation of Educational Research.

Students who have not had a previous course in human development will be required to take HDP1201 (Child and Adolescent Development) or an alternative course in adult development as one of their ten half-courses. It is recommended that during their program students focus on a specific domain of study. They may do so by taking required courses within a concentration described above. Alternatively, in consultation with their advisor, students may take at least four half-courses within a domain of study which they identify.

MASTER OF ARTS

The M.A. program is designed primarily for students who wish to pursue a career in research, university or community college teaching, and related activities. As an apprenticeship approach is favoured, students are expected to become closely involved in the research of one or more members of the department.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.A. program normally requires a preparation equivalent to a University of Toronto four-year bachelor's degree in arts, science, or a helping profession. Although most applicants will have a four-year bachelor's degree in Psychology, applicants with a four-year bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Linguistics, or a helping profession such as Occupational therapy, speech and Language pathology, physiotherapy, nursing, Social work or other area relevant to their specific program of study are also eligible to apply for admission. The usual admission standard is standing equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better.

Program Requirements

The M.A. program is comprised of six half-courses and a thesis and is normally undertaken on a full-time basis. Under exceptional circumstances students may be permitted to undertake the program on a part-time basis; a detailed case for such permission must be submitted with the admission application.

Required courses (to be taken in the first year of the program) are:

HDP1200 Foundations of Human Development and Education

HDP1206 Proseminar in Human Development and Applied Psychology

HDP1209 Research Methods and Thesis Preparation in Human Development and Applied Psychology.

Students who have not had a previous course in human development will be required to take HDP1201 (Child and Adolescent Development) or an alternative course in adult development as one of their six half-courses. It is recommended that during their program students focus on a specific domain of study. They may do so by taking required courses within a specialization described above. Alternatively, in consultation with their advisor, students may take at least three half-courses within a domain of study which they identify.

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION

The Ed.D. program is designed primarily for educators who have demonstrated their practical capabilities in a variety of educational settings and who intend to continue their professional careers as field-oriented leaders.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ed.D. program normally requires a University of Toronto master's degree in Educational Psychology, Special Education or equivalent (including Adaptive Instruction, Applied Developmental Psychology, Early Childhood Education, or Instruction and Special Education). The usual admission standard is standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better (in the master's degree). Applicants with a master's degree in other specializations in Adult Education, Applied Psychology, or Curriculum are also eligible to apply for admission, but may have to complete additional courses to fulfil master's level requirements. Students who have not done a master's thesis will be required to submit a Qualifying Research Paper prior to final admission to the program.

Program Requirements

The Ed.D. program is comprised of eight half-courses, an internship and a thesis. While students may begin the program on a part-time basis, a minimum of one year of full-time study is required. Often students build a leave of absence or sabbatical from outside employment into their Ed.D. program; it is highly recommended that students use such time to complete the thesis requirement, not coursework. Required courses are:

HDP3200 Research Proseminar on Human Development and Applied Psychology

plus either

HDP1209 Research Methods and Thesis Preparation in Human Development and Applied Psychology

OR

HDP3226 Research Methods and Doctoral Thesis Preparation in Human Development and Applied Psychology.

It is recommended that students take HDP3200 near the beginning of their program, and HDP1209 or HDP3226 when they are developing a thesis proposal. For students who have an insufficient background in human development it is highly recommended they take HDP1201 (Child and Adolescent Development) or an alternative course in adult development as one of their eight half-courses. The remaining courses are electives and are selected in consultation with the students' advisor.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The Ph.D. program emphasizes knowledge in several disciplines related to theory and research in the area of Human Development and Education. The program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in university or community college teaching, and careers that require advanced skills in research and evaluation. As an apprenticeship approach is favoured, students are expected to become closely involved in the research of one or more Faculty members of the department.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. program normally requires a preparation equivalent to a relevant University of Toronto four-year bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Educational Psychology, Special Education or equivalent (including Adaptive Instruction, Applied Cognitive Science, Applied Developmental Psychology, Child Study and Education, Early Childhood Education, or Instruction and Special Education) with standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better (in the master's degree). Applicants with master's degrees in other areas of Applied Psychology, Adult Education, Curriculum, or a helping profession such as Speech and Language Pathology, Nursing, Social Work, Physiotherapy, or Occupational Therapy are also eligible to apply for admission, but may have to complete additional courses to fulfil master's level requirements. Students who have not done a master's thesis will be required to submit a Qualifying Research Paper prior to final admission to the program.

Program Requirements

The Ph.D. program is comprised of six half-courses, a comprehensive examination and a thesis, and is normally undertaken on a full-time basis. Required courses (to be taken in the first year of the program) are:

For students who have an insufficient background in human development it is highly recommended that they take HDP1201 (Child and Adolescent Development) or an alternative course in adult development as one of their six half-courses. The remaining courses are electives and are selected in consultation with the student's advisor.

Additional Teacher Education Qualifications in Special Education

Students interested in additional qualifications for teachers should note the following:

For students who have an Ontario Teachers Certificate of Qualification, certain courses have been granted equivalence for Part I and/or Part II of the program leading to the Ontario College of Teachers three-part qualification in Special

Education. Students should consult the department's Program Guidelines booklet and/or their advisor regarding which courses are accepted for these additional qualifications. Additional qualifications are granted solely by the College; students must apply directly to the College for course credits.

For more information contact:

Ontario College of Teachers
121 Bloor Street West, 6th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3M5
Telephone: (416) 961-8800
Fax: (416) 961-8822
Website: www.oct.on.ca

OISE/UT Bulletin 2000/2001 -- University of Toronto Graduate Studies in Education
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