The Child & Youth Development concentration is uniquely designed for after school and youth work professionals and is based on a set of outcomes and established competencies.
Graduates will have the theoretical framework, professional skills and knowledge needed to create and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment; advance children and youth's physical and intellectual competence; provide positive guidance and support for social and emotional development; establish productive relationships with families; and ensure a well-run purposeful program that is responsive to children and family needs.
This concentration requires a minimum of 36 credits.
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to After School Care and Education | 3 |
| Program Environment and Curriculum Development | 3 |
| Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Supervision and Leadership | 3 |
| Children, School and Community | 3 |
| Positives Guidance in After School Education | 3 |
| Psychology of Exceptional Children | 3 |
| Principles of Positive Youth Development | 3 |
| Electives from the following topic areas: Curriculum Development, Social and Behavioral Science and Program Management | 9 |
| Capstone - ASE 499 (Culminating course in concentration) | 3 |
| TOTAL | 36 |
Prerequisites
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
Notes: Only grades of C of higher may be included in the concentration. A practicum is required for those students who do not have after school/youth work experience.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate with a concentration in Child and Youth Development will be able to:
- apply child and youth development concepts in designing the learning environment;
- explain the history of youth program movement;
- apply learning theory to program development;
- develop a safe learning environment;
- develop programs intentionally involving children and youth;
- apply principles of management to running youth programs;
- explain the impact diversity has on child and youth development;
- articulate how to build relationships with child, family, school, and community;
- recognize and be able to assist families in crisis;
- demonstrate technology literacy and the impact of technology on today's youth; and
- synthesize their learning in child and youth development concentration through a project, research paper, reflection paper, or practicum.