Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


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Youth Development



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Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Youth Development

(120 semetser hours) Requirements are subject to change.

As young people navigate through childhood and adolescence and into adulthood, they develop physically, intellectually, psychologically, emotionally and socially.  Personal and social assets can build resilience and competencies to prevent problems and promote positive youth development.  Understanding the supports, opportunities, programs, and services available for youth, and how youth engage in them, is crucial for effectively working with youth.  chieving favorable outcomes in youths’ attitudes, skills, knowledge, and behaviors is the goal of many youth-serving professionals.

The youth development major is anchored in the College’s unique humanics philosophy which focuses on developing the whole student in spirit, mind, and body.  Students majoring in youth development follow an interdisciplinary program that prepares them to serve youth in a variety of community and institutional settings. The curriculum is centered around four disciplines: applied sociology, health, psychology, and recreation. The courses taken by students pursuing this major provide students with an understanding of issues related to youth, while students apply knowledge and skills outside the classroom through community service and internship experiences.

Are you interested in a law school degree? Pre-law advising is available to any student interested in pursuing a law school degree. Contact Professor Dan Russell, pre-law advisor, at (413) 748-3240. Click here to learn more.

5-year Combined Masters in Social Work, B.S. / M.S.W. Program - Qualified students at Springfield College who are majoring in Youth Development may be eligible for the 5-year combined B.S./M.S.W. dual degree program.  Students, in consultation with their undergraduate advisor, will structure their coursework early in their undergraduate career so that a required 17 semester hours of Social Work foundation coursework may be taken in the senior year.  Click here to learn more.

For more information about the Youth Development major, contact Dr. Ann Gillard of the Social Science Department at (413) 748-3493 or the Admissions Office at (413) 748-1257.

 

Download a Youth Development Program Checksheet

 

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS


I. General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)


The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being.  For specific requirements, see the General Education Program section or the Sequencing Guide for this major.

II. Major Requirements


B. Related Requirements


Students majoring in Youth Development are strongly encouraged to select at least one of the following minors (15-18 semester hours):

  • Art Therapy
  • Athletic Coaching
  • Criminal Justice
  • Sociology
  • Education
  • Environmental Studies 
  • Health Studies
  • Not for Profit Business
  • Psychology
  • Social Justice
  • YMCA Professional Studies
  • Self-designed concentration (possible areas include wellness, after school programs, nutrition and health, sports programming)  Note: self designed concentrations are not notated on a student’s transcript.

III. Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)


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