The Impact of the CSHD Proseminar Course

Hi reader! This is Hannah Kao, a current graduate student in the Child Study and Human Development (CSHD) MA program. As I'm finishing the second semester of my first year in the program, I reflect on a key component of the CSHD program: the proseminar course that all first-year CSHD MA students take.

I highlight this course because it exemplifies the long-lasting community that is formed here at Tufts and within the program. This course is the only course you take with everyone in your cohort, and it's a great way to meet your peers in more informal ways. There is a bigger focus on bonding and team-building, centering social opportunities in the class. Throughout this semester-long course, there are a number of faculty panels, which introduce students to program faculty in a fun and low-stakes way. The proseminar course also introduces everyone to the master's program, highlighting the aspects of the program such as choosing a track and concentration of study. (After their first semester in the program, MA students choose whether they want to pursue the applied track or the thesis track, and if they wish to concentrate in a specific area. Read more here.) There are multiple information sessions to review the pathways of the program. And during the various panels and guest speakers, these topics continue to come up as you learn more about the subject areas and narrow your focus. 

Something that also helps build community within the MA program and department are the current student panels, where 2nd-year master's students give advice about the program and share insights on their own program track and concentrations. These panels were great ways to connect with current students who were very recently in our shoes. The biggest part of the proseminar course that stood out to me, however, were the alumni panels that we had. These were graduates of the MA program who wanted to connect with us and speak about their experiences and what they’ve been doing since graduating. I heard multiple times how much they love being able to stay in touch with the program and the professors, and it showed me how there are life-long connections to be made during my time here. Learning about alumni experiences and seeing firsthand their appreciation for the program has confirmed the strength and support of the CSHD department. 

One of the alum panels that I had in my proseminar class was focused on getting a PhD/PsyD after the MA degree. This panel was organized based on feedback and interest of my cohort, paired with my professor’s dedication to tailoring the proseminar course to our specific needs. Proseminar is a class where you get out of it what you give, and taking advantage of this unique opportunity to ask questions to professors, current students, and alumni regarding just about anything is something I recommend. This course was a great way to enter the program and I appreciate how much I learned.