Youth Development

(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”.

II. Core Requirements (42 s.h.)

CRIM 325W - Juvenile Delinquency Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 250W - Childhood and Adolescent Development Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 422 - Interviewing and Counseling Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 103 - Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 101* - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 210* - Social Problems Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 220W - Families in Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 492W - Social Research and Program Evaluation Credits: 3 s.h
YDEV 101 - Introduction to Youth Development Credits: 3 s.h
YDEV 340 - Youth in Society Credits: 3 s.h
YDEV 486 - Supervised Internship in Youth Development Credits: 3-9 s.h

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.

HLTH 355 - Human Sexuality Credits: 3 s.h
MOST 428 - Sociology of Sport Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 312* - Women and Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 322* - Racial and Ethnic Relations Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 375 - Cities and Communities Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 410* - Poverty and Wealth Class in Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 420 - Media and Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 450 - Social Change Credits: 3 s.h

B. Practical Knowledge and Skills

Select a total of 11–12 s.h. from the following courses.

HLTH 106 - First Aid Responding to Emergencies and Community CPR Credits: 2 s.h
HLTH 260 - Drugs and Society Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 210 - Public and Human Services Administration Credits: 3 s.h
or
SOCI 433W - YMCA Management and Continuity Planning Credits: 3 s.h.
POSC 340W - Public Policy Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 106 - Dynamics of Leadership Credits: 3 s.h
SMRT 204 - Outdoor Leadership Credits: 6 s.h
SMRT 255 - Introduction to Outdoor Recreation Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 133W - The YMCA Past, Present, and Future Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 347 - Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 355W - Theories and Methods of Case Management Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 415W - Proposal Writing and Fundraising Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 461 - The Community Development Process Credits: 3 s.h

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.