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 |
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.