Youth Development: Master’s Degree Distance Program
There is a critical need for trained youth development professionals. An estimated 17,000 organizations currently serve more than 30 million young people, and national trends continue to focus on positive approaches to solving youth behavior problems. American youth born since 1980 are the largest, most ethnically diverse group of teens in our country’s history. Opportunities and challenges abound for them, and they need support to reach their full potential. Professionals in a variety of youth-related fields should consider a program in youth development. The program will enhance the understanding of positive development and teach the skills to work with youth and succeed in nonprofit management. Those working in youth-serving organizations like 4-H and Boys and Girls Club, faith-based groups, community recreation facilities, correctional professions, and educators are ideal candidates for this program. This field truly makes a difference!
How It Works
This inter-institutional master’s degree program offered through the Great Plains IDEA is taught entirely via the Internet. The 36-hour graduate program includes 28 required credit hours and eight hours devoted to practicum, independent study and elective coursework.
Alumni Advice to Future Students:
“I have had a very cliché goal for my life for a long time: I want to make a difference in the lives of children. The Youth Development master’s degree program helped this goal become more of a reality. I have learned about youth development, I have learned about program management, I have learned about research and much more. This program is spectacular for anyone wanting to advance their career working with youth or hoping to enter into a new career in the youth development field.” —Katherine Plog Martinez, ’05 youth development, Training Coordinator for Assets for Colorado Youth