Childhood Studies

Degree Programs Offered: Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy

Departmental Website: http://childhood.camden.rutgers.edu

Director: Sarada Balagopalan, Ph.D.
Phone: 856-225-6741
Email: sarada.balagopalan@rutgers.edu

The master of arts in childhood studies equips practitioners and beginning scholars with the skills and knowledge to understand and address the challenges that confront children throughout the world. The program prepares its graduates to conduct research with and about children, formulate social policy on behalf of children and their families, and work effectively with the diverse populations of children. Graduates pursue careers in public policy, social services, youth programming, and education.

Childhood studies involves the cross-disciplinary study of children and childhood within historical, multicultural, national, and global contexts. Students in the doctor of philosophy in childhood studies degree program undertake a program of interdisciplinary study to acquire the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological knowledge that is at the heart of childhood studies. The coursework serves as the foundation of a series of investigations culminating in the dissertation through which students explore key problems and issues in the field as they develop their expertise as scholars. The program prepares its graduates to conduct research with and about children, formulate social policy on behalf of children and their families, and work effectively with diverse populations of children. Graduates of the program pursue a variety of career paths including: tenure-track academic professors, secondary education teachers and administrators, consultancy, and positions in nongovernmental organizations concerned with children's rights and welfare.