Master of Science in Development and Socialization in Childhood and Adolescence Utrecht University

How do socialization contexts influence the development of children and adolescents?

Why is it that young males, in particular, tend to get involved in crime? Is it because they have the "wrong" friends? Were they not socialized properly? Is it due to dispositional factors? Are there hereditary factors at work?

From the day a child is born, his family and the culture in which he’s raised have a huge impact on his socio-emotional development and psychological adjustment. As he grows up, his school and networks of friends and peers become more and more influential in his development. The two-year Master’s program in Development and Socialisation in Childhood and Adolescence (DaSCA) gives you the theoretical and methodological background to analyze this development.

"The Master’s is definitely challenging, but the professors and staff put a lot of time and energy into the students. The classes are quite small, so you get a lot of personal attention and you get really close with your fellow students. It felt like we were all in it together."



Maartje van den Essenburg

Normal and Abnormal Socio-emotional Development

The program focuses on both normal and abnormal development processes. Explicit attention is given to the study of interventions and risk factors in children’s and adolescents’ cognitive and social-emotional development and adjustment. Working through the course topics, you’ll address questions such as:

• What are the early markers of development that have gone awry?
• How can we improve the way negative outcomes in children and adolescents are prevented or treated?

This Master’s program combines advanced coursework with the development of hands-on skills.

International Focus

All courses and communications are in English. The program is designed to allow you to practice advanced English communication skills while gaining an international perspective on topics related to development and socialization. Some of the lecturers are from abroad (US, Belgium, and Croatia) or hold positions abroad (UK), and the program attracts a number of international students. You will also have the opportunity to visit English-speaking conferences held in the Netherlands that are organized by the participating research groups.

High-quality program

In the renowned 'Keuzegids Masters 2021', Development and Socialisation in Childhood and Adolescence received one of the highest scores of research masters in the field of education and pedagogy sciences in the Netherlands.

The program got an above-average assessment for the components: examination, teachers, facilities, and guidance. For the components program content, scientific training, and challenging education, the Master's even received a high above-average score.