Youth Development Masters and Graduate Certificate

Graduate Certificate
The youth development graduate certificate program allows students to understand, integrate and apply conceptual approaches to youth development, including asset building, positive youth development, community youth development, risk and resiliency.  K-State offers two graduate certificates in youth development: youth development professional and youth development administration.

Using a strengths-based approach, the program helps students learn how to support youth to make them socially, emotionally and cognitively competent adults.

Master's Degree
The youth development master’s program allows students to understand, integrate and apply conceptual approaches to youth development, including asset building, positive youth development, community youth development, risk and resiliency.

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate an understanding of the development and impact of local, regional, state, federal and global policies on youth and be able to advocate through policy development for optimal youth outcomes. Students will also develop skills in problem-solving regarding funding sources, boards, other agencies, families and other professionals.

The program is offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA).

Careers in Youth Development
The youth development master’s degree program is designed for professionals desiring to work in a variety of youth programs, including within:

* Service organizations
* Community-based programs
* Educational settings
* Youth counseling