Youth Development Master of Science (M.S.)

The Master of Science degree in Child, Youth and Family Studies with a specialization in Youth Development includes 36 semester hours of course work. Twenty-eight (28) hours come from courses required by Great Plains IDEA program. These courses include nine 3-credit hour courses and a 1-credit hour foundations course. Students in this specialization may choose from one of three options for the other 8 hours to finish their master's program at UNL.

Students in this program will:

Understand, integrate, and be able to apply conceptual approaches to youth development
Understand normative pathways to development
Understand youth and family cultural issues/contexts and their micro- and macro-influences on positive youth outcomes
Understand and apply basic research and evaluation skills to youth development programming through an applied project that serves as a capstone experience under the direction of the candidate's home institution
Develop skills in problem-solving with "stakeholders" including funding sources, boards, other agencies, families and other professionals
Demonstrate understanding of the development and impact of local, regional, state, federal, and global policies on youth and be able to advocate through policy development for optimal youth outcomes
Be able to develop and apply resources (e.g., agency budgeting, grant writing and processing, fundraising) for successful implementation and management of youth-serving organizations
Understand the history of the youth development area and advocate for the continued professionalization of the field

There are three people who help you with your program. There are two campus coordinators at UNL: Dr. Yan Ruth Xia is the academic coordinator and Lisa King is the campus logistics coordinator. Your campus advisor is the individual faculty member at UNL that gives you advice, monitors your progress, signs your MOC (your list of approved classes), and works with you on the additional 8 hours needed for the program.

Careers

Non-Profit Youth Organizations
Faith-Based Groups
Community Recreation Leaders
Juvenile Corrections Professionals
Elementary, Middle or High School Educators
Extension Educators

Application to this program

Required materials:

Graduate Studies Application
Unofficial Transcripts
Resume
Statement of Professional Goals
Three Letters of Reference
Other Application Materials

START THE APPLICATION PROCESS AT GRADUATE STUDIES

Degree Requirements

Option I program of study will include:

transfer in 8 hours of additional course work (completed online at through the University of Nebraska or another institution, OR completed in the traditional classroom at another university)
course work may be within the youth development field or another area related to student's interest and/or career
this course work MUST be approved by your campus advisor
36 required credit hours total

Option II program of study will include:

28 hours of required course work
6 thesis credit hours
2 hours of credit transferred (see option III) OR 2 hours of Special Project (CYAF 996) or Internship (CYAF 987d)
36 required credit hours total

Option III program of study will include:

25 semester hours of required course work
1-6 credit hours of Project or Thesis (CYAF 996) with up to 5 option Project/Thesis elective hours (contact your campus advisor)
1-6 credit hours of Internship (CYAF 987d)
36 required credit hours total

Course Requirements:

*These courses are offered for the Youth Development Specialist Certificate. Students wishing to receive a certificate while pursuing their Master's Degree should speak with their advisor.
^These courses are offered for the Youth Program Management & Evaluation Certificate. Students wishing to receive a certificate while pursuing their Master's Degree should speak with their advisor.

It is important that you work closely with your campus advisor to choose an option and get approval for your courses before each semester begins.

Faculty advising students in this program area include: