Youth Development

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. Achieving 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. 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 (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

A. Core Requirements

PSYC 250 - Childhood and Adolescent Development Credits: 3
SOCI 220 - Families in Society Credits: 3
SOCI 270 - Sociology of Education Credits: 3
SOCI 341 - Group Work Credits: 3
SOCI 433 - YMCA Management Credits: 3
or
POSC 210 - Public and Human Services Administration Credits: 3
YDEV 101 - Introduction to Youth Development Credits: 3
YDEV 186 - Pre-Practicum and Seminar in Youth Development Credits: 1-2
YDEV 240 - Youth in Society Credits: 3
YDEV 280 - Designing and Implementing Youth Programs Credits: 3
YDEV 286 - Pre-Internship Seminar I Credits: 1
YDEV 330 - Programming for Diverse Youth Populations Credits: 3
YDEV 350 - Philosophies and Theories of Youth Development Credits: 3
YDEV 386 - Pre-Internship Seminar II Credits: 1
YDEV 486 - Supervised Internship in Youth Development Credits: 3-12
Note: Must be taken for a minimum of 6 credits to meet program requirements.

or

Students approved for a double major in Youth Development and Psychology may fulfill their fieldwork experience by taking:
PSYC 386 - Supervised Experience in Psychology Credits: 2-10
for a minimum of 6 credits.
YDEV 492 - Researching and Evaluating Youth Programs Credits: 3

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.

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