Cal State L.A.’s Department of Child and Family Studies offers a Master of Arts degree in Child Development. This degree prepares individuals to understand the relationship between theory, research and practice and to apply this knowledge to issues in the field of human development. Students are trained to think and write critically about human development through identifying and solving real world problems, advocating for individuals and families, and disseminating knowledge. The Department seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals at all levels of development within diverse environments.