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