Youth Development Graduate Certificate Program Summary

Description What it is: A unique online certificate program that focuses solely on Youth Development and uses an approach that examines people, places, supports, opportunities and services young people need to be happy, healthy and successful, both in theory and practice. Taught through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance for the Human Sciences (Great Plains IDEA), this is the only alliance of public universities to offer it completely online. Students may complete the certificate in one of two focus areas: Youth Development Specialist Certificate or Youth Program Management and Evaluation Certificate. Who it's for: Professionals working with youth, including: 4-H and Boys and Girls Clubs Non-profit youth organizations Faith-based groups Community recreation leaders Juvenile corrections professionals Elementary, middle and high school educators Extension educators Delivery: All courses are completed online through Great Plains IDEA, a consortium of 11 universities. Students admitted to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Youth Development Specialist or Youth Program Management and Evaluation certificate program will take courses delivered via distance technologies by Nebraska and the other participating institutions. How to apply If you are already admitted to a degree program, please see your advisor to set up a plan of study for the certificate program. Otherwise, you will first need to be admitted as a non-degree student. Required by Office of Graduate Studies Application for Graduate Admission as a non-degree student $45 non-refundable application processing fee One set of official transcripts showing conferral of a bachelor's or higher degree Required by Child, Youth and Family Studies Submit the following materials to: Department of Graduate Support Services College of Education and Human Sciences 135 Mabel Lee Hall University of Nebraska Lincoln NE 68588-0236 Statement of Professional Goals Intent form Resume Three letters of recommendation Application Deadline Students are encouraged to seek admission to begin in the Fall semester. Although applications will be considered on a continuing basis, January submissions will have priority consideration on the basis of available slots. Preferred deadlines: Fall: June 1       Spring: October 1       Summer: January 15

Youth Development From contemporary issues such as appearance and life skills to administration and program development, the Youth Development certificate program prepares students for professional work with adolescents in a number of different areas. Contact Great Plains IDEA Campus Coordinator Lisa King 135 Mabel Lee Hall Lincoln NE 68588-0236 Phone: 402-472-7787 Fax: 402-472-9170 Lking2@unl.edu Department Websites Child, Youth and Family Studies Great Plains IDEA

Required courses

Each certificate requires 12 hours and a one-hour foundations course for a total of 13 credit hours.

Unless stated otherwise, all courses require admission to the Child, Youth and Family Studies graduate program or permission.

Required for both certificate programs

CYAF 861 - Foundations of Youth Development (1 cr)
Fundamentals of youth development and the youth development profession. Exploration of ethical, professional, and historical elements of youth development as it has evolved toward professionalization.

Courses that may be applied to either certificate

CYAF 878 - Youth Policy (3 cr)
Examination of various federal and state policies designed specifically for youth. Evaluation of existing state and national policies as to whether they contribute to, or act as barriers to, desired developmental outcomes.

CYAF 879 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Life Skills (2 cr)
Issues faced by youth today and associated risk and resiliency factors; life skills for youth; and helping skills necessary for youth professionals.

CYAF 879A - Contemporary Youth Issues: Violence (1 cr)
Causes and consequences of youth violence. Approaches to theory and research on developmental of violent behavior in youth. Assessment of prevention and intervention programs.

CYAF 879B - Contemporary Youth Issues: Youth and Appearance (1 cr)
Analysis of interrelationships between clothing and culture; influences on clothing and modes of adornment within U.S. adolescent subgroups. Function of Clothing and Adornment in interpersonal communication, interaction, and self-identity development.

Courses required for the Youth Development specialist Certificate

CYAF 864 - Community Youth Development (3 cr)
National emphasis of strength-based or asset approach to community youth development, encompassing individual development and adolescent relationships with environments. Emphasis on research, theory, and practice applied in communities. Existing models, theoretical and applied literature, and current community efforts will be examined.

CYAF 868 - Adolescents and Their Families (3 cr)
Adolescent development as related to and intertwined with family development. Reciprocal influences between adolescents and their families are examined. Working with youth via the family system will be highlighted.

CYAF 872 - Youth Development (3 cr)
Scientific literature concerning the interrelationship of the physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of the adolescent and young adulthood years. Understanding of individuals and their continuous adjustment within the family life cycle as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood.

CYAF 875 - Youth in Cultural Contexts (3 cr)
Cultural context factors that affect youth from a holistic perspective within and outside the family unit. Provides an understanding of the cultural heritage of differing family types.

Courses required for the Youth Program Management and evaluation Certificate

CYAF 873 - Program Design, Evaluation, and Implementation (3 cr)
Overview of program development process and outcome evaluation of community children and family programs. Theoretical, methodological, and programmatic issues in conduction programs and scholarship.

CYAF 863 - Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research (3 cr)
Research report evaluation skills for youth development professionals. Fundamental quantitative and qualitative research principles guiding disciplined inquiry. Application of research results and theories to practice.

CYAF 869 - Administration and Program Management (3 cr)
Introduction to the development, administration, and management of youth-serving organizations.