SRIHER M.Sc. Child Development FAQs
Ques. What exactly is M.Sc. Applied Child Development and how is it different from a regular M.Sc. in Psychology or Child Psychology?
Ans. M.Sc. Applied Child Development is a multidisciplinary programme that goes beyond psychology to encompass the full spectrum of child health, growth, and development. Unlike a regular M.Sc. in Psychology, this programme covers Paediatric Physiotherapy, Paediatric Ophthalmology, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Communication Disorders and Rehabilitation, Nutrition in Early Childhood, and Community Paediatrics. It is designed for professionals who want to work in early intervention, child rehabilitation, special education, and paediatric allied health settings, rather than purely in psychological counselling or therapy.
Ques. What career opportunities are available after M.Sc. Applied Child Development from SRIHER?
Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Child Development Specialists, Early Intervention Therapists, Special Educators, Developmental Paediatricians' Associates, Child Rehabilitation Coordinators, and Community Health Workers in paediatric settings. They can work in hospitals, child development centres, special schools, NGOs, government health programmes (e.g., RBSK, ICDS), and early childhood education institutions. The growing focus on early intervention for neurodevelopmental disabilities in India makes this a highly relevant and in-demand qualification.
Ques. Can physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or nurses apply for M.Sc. Applied Child Development at SRIHER?
Ans. Yes. The eligibility criteria are broad and explicitly include BPT (Physiotherapy), BOT (Occupational Therapy), B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Nursing (Post Basic), and BASLP (Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology) graduates, in addition to Psychology, Home Science, and Biomedical Sciences graduates. This makes the programme accessible to a wide range of allied health professionals who want to specialise in child development and paediatric rehabilitation.
Ques. What clinical training is included in the M.Sc. Applied Child Development programme at SRIHER?
Ans. The programme includes dedicated Clinical Training in Semesters III and IV, providing hands-on exposure to paediatric clinical settings within SRIHER's 2,500-bed teaching hospital. This includes training in developmental assessment, early stimulation, neurodevelopmental disability management, and community paediatrics. The clinical training is a critical component that distinguishes this programme from purely academic child development courses.
Ques. Is M.Sc. Applied Child Development recognised for government jobs or further studies?
Ans. Yes. SRIHER is a UGC-recognised Category I Deemed University, and its degrees are recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Graduates can apply for positions in government child health programmes such as the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and National Health Mission (NHM). They can also pursue PhD programmes in Child Development, Special Education, or Allied Health Sciences at SRIHER and other universities.
Ques. How is the M.Sc. Applied Child Development programme structured across the four semesters?
Ans. Semester I covers foundational topics including Fundamentals of Development in Newborns, Growth and Development, Nutrition in Early Childhood, and Paediatric Physiotherapy and Ophthalmology basics. Semester II focuses on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Communication Disorders, Screening and Evaluation of High-Risk Infants, and Research Methodology. Semester III includes Community Paediatrics, Healthcare Management, and the first Clinical Training rotation. Semester IV is dedicated to the second Clinical Training rotation and the Dissertation and Viva Voce, providing intensive practical and research experience.
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