Concentration - Child and Youth Development
The Child and 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.
Concentration Requirements:
| Requirement |
Credits |
| Introduction to After School Care and Education |
3 credits |
| Program Environment and Curriculum Development |
3 credits |
| Child and Adolescent Development |
3 credits |
| Supervision and Leadership |
3 credits |
| Children, School and Community |
3 credits |
| Positives Guidance in After School Education |
3 credits |
| Psychology of Exceptional Children |
3 credits |
| Principles of Positive Youth Development |
3 credits |
| Electives from the following topic areas: Curriculum Development, Social and Behavioral
Science and Program Management
|
9 credits |
| Capstone - ASE 499 (Culminating course in concentration) |
3 credits |
| TOTAL |
36 |
| Pre-requisite: Introduction to Psychology |
3 credits |
| Pre-requisite: Introduction to Sociology |
3 credits |
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.
