Child Development

The Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development program at the University of New York in Prague is designed for students who wish to study children (infancy through adolescence) and their development in relation to the familial, cultural, peer, school, and neighbourhood contexts in which they live.

The program is designed to provide a strong background in the social and behavioural sciences related to child development, enabling students to apply theory and prior research to current research design in child development.

The Child Development program offers a solid foundation in the field and allows students to continue their studies or enter the working world as culturally-competent graduates with a wide range of applicable skills. The program is excellent preparation for graduate study in selected social science and professional fields (e.g., education, psychology, social services, child care) and can serve as a complementary (or second) program for undergraduate students simultaneously pursuing a program of study in education (early childhood, elementary) or special education. The curriculum is designed to ensure that students develop a background in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as a clear understanding of the theories, major research findings and research methods central to the field.

The first objective of the child development program is for students to understand key theoretical foundations across all areas within the discipline.

The second objective is for students to connect child development literacy with a scientific inquiry for future research. This requires:

i) The knowledge of and ability to integrate and evaluate theoretical foundations in child development;

(ii) The ability to conduct empirical research in a particular problem or area through the use of different methodologies (i.e., qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) and measurement tools;

iii) The ability to recognize the possibilities and limitations of empirical exploration and to be aware of the contextual constraints of space, time, resources, as well as culture; and

iv) The ability to use critical and evidence-based thinking regarding the application of theories.

The third objective is to apply critical thinking with logic in order to most effectively apply the subject-specific and research skills mentioned above.

The fourth objective is to acquire the ability to apply ethical principles in future professional practice.

The fifth objective is to acquire skills in written and verbal communication, information literacy and the correct use of databases. This objective also includes key skills for interacting with other professionals within the field and beyond.

UNYP has launched its own master’s program in psychology accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Therefore, students have the option to continue with their studies at UNYP on the graduate level, thus enhancing professional options greatly.