Youth Development (Certificate)

Youth Development

Certificate

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
     

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:

 

  1. Unofficial Transcripts 
  2. English Proficiency (if your native language is not English) 
  3. Resume
  4. Statement of Professional Goals 

    In your Statement of Professional Goals, address the following: 

    1. What personal and/or professional experiences have led you to want to pursue a certificate in Youth Development? 
    2. What are your professional goals and how will this certificate help you achieve those? 
  5. Two Letters of Recommendation

    Letter of Recommendation Requirements:

    1. Letters from academic sources (e.g., faculty, academic advisors) are preferred.
    2. If you are within 3 years of obtaining an academic degree (i.e., BS/BA or MS/MA) then at least one letter must be from an academic source (faculty member, advisor, etc…)
    3. Other acceptable letters can come from professional sources (e.g., supervisor, colleague).

    4. Letters written on professional letterhead are preferred but all letters must contain the following:  date written, signature, and contact information (phone number and email) of letter writer

      NOTE: Letters from personal sources (e.g., family members, friends) are not appropriate. 

      Applications without these elements won’t be accepted.  

 

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Degree Requirements

Course Requirements:

Youth Development Specialist Certificate


Youth Program Management & Administration Certificate

  • CYAF 877 Design & Evaluation of Youth Programs (3 credits)
  • CYAF 879 Youth Development Personnel & Program Managment (3 credits)
  • 1 additional course (3 credits)
     

If you wish to receive a certificate while pursuing a Master's Degree, please contact your advisor.