The Master of Arts in Child Study and Education Program is offered at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, a centre of professional teacher training and research in childhood and education, which includes a Nursery through Grade 6 Laboratory School. The aim is to prepare students for careers as thoughtful, compassionate, and equitable educators who apply research and theory in child study to their teaching to meet the needs of diverse learners and schools.

The philosophy of this program is based on the belief that successful teaching requires an understanding of how children's capacities, concerns, and behaviour change with age, how individual differences reflect developmental changes, and how social and physical environments influence children's development.

The program introduces students to educational and developmental theory and research relevant to educational settings, showing how this research can inform classroom practice. Students also learn how to objectively study children, using both practical assessment and formal methods of inquiry. These areas of knowledge combined with knowledge of effective teaching methods (such as an inquiry-based approach) and learning environments result in educational practices that build on children's current levels of development.

The non-thesis program requires two years of full-time study leading to a Master of Arts degree. Graduates are recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers for a Certificate of Qualification, which qualifies the holder to teach in the primary and junior divisions (junior kindergarten to grade 6) of Ontario schools. Research is embedded throughout the courses and the program.

All students in the program are enrolled in Practice-Based Inquiry (PBI) in Psychology and Educational Practice field.