Child following master craftsman (5)
I believe the answer is:
mason
'craftsman' is the definition.
(I know that mason is a type of craftsman)
'child following master' is the wordplay.
'child' becomes 'son' (male child).
'following' says to put letters next to each other.
'master' becomes 'ma' (Master of Arts).
'son' after 'ma' is 'MASON'.
(Other definitions for mason that I've seen before include "Jewish comedian" , "figure in lodge" , "member of charitable society" , "one in construction" , "one wearing an apron" .)