Parenting and Child Development (MSc)
Career prospects
With the knowledge, tools and practical experience you will have obtained as a graduate of the master’s specialisation Parenting and Child Development, you will be able to effectively contribute to promoting optimal caregiving and child development.
You will have the skills to
- analyze and answer questions about parenting, caregiving and child development in an academic way, and
- apply and/or develop programmes that aim to optimize caregiving of parents and professional caregivers, tailored to the needs of the child.
These skills can be applied in a wide variety of institutions and companies. Specific examples of the careers of our alumni are: family coach at a child welfare organization (e.g., 'Centrum voor jeugd en gezin'), policy maker ('pedagogisch beleidsmedewerker' in Dutch) at a childcare organization, freelancer in providing (professional) caregivers advice on parenting and caregiving, co-ordinator at an adoption agency, and researcher in the field of parenting and child development.
Research
As a researcher in the field of Parenting and Child Development you contribute to the scientific knowledge of child development, parenting and daycare.
Interested in the research we do at Leiden University? Read more about our research on the website of Education and Child Studies.
This programme does not prepare or qualify for work in a clinical setting or for work as a teacher in The Netherlands.
What can you do to prepare for the job market?
At the Career Services counsellors will give you advice and information on planning your career, whether you have just started your master’s study or have already graduated. Each of Leiden’s seven faculties has its own career services department, with specific expertise and resources related to the faculty’s programmes.
In addition, as a master’s student you have access to our web-based resources, which include career step plans, job seeking strategies and self-assessment tools. The Career Services desk also offers a range of relevant workshops. If you prefer a personalised approach, you can make an appointment for an individual counselling session with your departmental career counsellor.
Specifically, you are welcome at the Career Services for advice and information on:
- What are the possibilities with my Master’s degree?
- Which jobs suit my profile?
- Workshops and events: Which job possibilities are there and how to apply?
- Career tests
- Internships and job vacancies
- CV and LinkedIn check
You can also find career information and advice on the website of the Career Services.
Leiden University’s alumni hold positions in a vast range of sectors, all over the world. They are therefore good resources for graduates who are just starting out on the job market. Through the Leiden Alumni Mentor Network you can contact Leiden alumni online and ask them for advice. For more information, go to the Mentor Network website.