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, morally, 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 for professional careers working with youth in a variety of community-based and non-formal settings. Course work provides students with an understanding of the issues that youth confront today, as well as a skill set that can be applied to direct service and/or administrative positions.

At Springfield College, we recognize that youth development is a process which prepares and engages young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a progressive series of supports, opportunities, programs and services (SOPS).  These SOPS help youth to become more socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent. Understanding the SOPS available for youth, and how youth engage in them, is crucial for effectively working with youth. Therefore, the goal of the Youth Development major is to provide students opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they learned inside the classroom through experiential and community-based learning.  In addition, through courses and fieldwork experiences, students learn how to lead positive youth development programs that are transformative for the youth and communities.

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. Melissa Quinlan of the Social Science Department at (413) 748-3493 or the Admissions Office at (413) 748-1257.

Download a Youth Development Program Checksheet