Mar 29, 2024  
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Youth Development Home Page

Youth Development



Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Curricula

(130 semetser hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Youth are confronted by a myriad of choices, opportunities, and challenges that affect their self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as their ability to work, play, and achieve their potential. The ability to effectively assist youth from a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and abilities is dependent on knowledge of the sociocultural and psychological development of youth, as well as the communities and society in which they live.

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 highlight the importance of generalist skills, while community service and internship placements allow students to apply those skills in a “real world” setting.

For more information about the Youth Development major, contact Professor Susan Joel of the Social Science Department at (413) 748-3349 or the Admissions Office at (413) 748-1257.


Download a Youth Development Program Checksheet


CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS


I. General Education Program (41 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)


To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

III. Selective Requirements


Select a total of 20-21 s.h. from the following courses.

A. The Social Context of Youth


 Select a total of 9 s.h. from the following courses.

IV. Electives


Choose 27-28 s.h., to complete the program’s required 130 s.h.

V. Sample Program By Year


The program listed below is a sample-courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average 16.25 s.h. a semester to complete this program in four years.

In addition to the courses identified below, the following General Education categories need to be fulfilled for this major: Natural Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Physical Education, Literature, Second Language/ Culture, Visual and Performing Arts, History, Philosophy, and Religion. Up to 21 s.h. of electives will be required to complete 130 s.h.

Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill a General Edu-cation category. Courses marked with a W may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.

A. First Year - Fall Semester


  • General Education courses Credits: 7-9 s.h.

First Year - Spring Semester


B. Second Year - Fall or Spring Semesters


  • Selective requirements Credits: 6 s.h.
  • General Education courses Credits: 1-3 s.h.

C. Third Year - Fall Semester


  • Selective requirements Credits: 6 s.h.
  • General Education courses or electives Credits: 7-9 s.h.

Third Year - Spring Semester


  • Selective requirements Credits: 3 s.h.
  • General Education courses or electives Credits: 4-6 s.h.

D. Fourth Year - Fall or Spring Semesters


  • Any uncompleted core or selective requirements, General Education courses or electives to total 130 s.h.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Curricula