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:

1. apply child and youth development concepts in designing the learning environment;
2. explain the history of youth program movement;
3. apply learning theory to program development;
4. develop a safe learning environment;
5. develop programs intentionally involving children and youth;
6. apply principles of management to running youth programs;
7. explain the impact diversity has on child and youth development;
8. articulate how to build relationships with child, family, school, and community;
9. recognize and be able to assist families in crisis;
10. demonstrate technology literacy and the impact of technology on today’s youth; and
11. synthesize their learning in child and youth development concentration through a project, research paper, reflection paper, or practicum.

Concentration Plan of Study Forms

The concentration plan of study (CPS) is the tool you will use to plan your degree completion program. The CPS form offers information on how subject requirements can be met. You may download the form below as a Microsoft Word document (form will open in a new window). To request a course subsitution in a CPS, use the Request for Substitution Form. Additional information on the concentration is also available in the Official Catalog.

• Child and Youth Development CPS Form (using Charter Oak courses exclusively)
• Child and Youth Development CPS Form

Please Note: for prospective students this form should simply serve as a guide. Once you have matriculated (enrolled), you will receive personalized degree planning advice from your Academic Counselor.