Youth Development Leadership, MS

Program Requirements

The Master of Science degree program in Youth Development Leadership equips students with the competencies, knowledge and skills to help young people develop into healthy, competent, coping and contributing citizens. This program prepares students to address issues facing youth in the context of family and community with an emphasis on positive outcomes through a dynamic learning environment.

The MS in Youth Development Leadership program is an interdisciplinary degree primarily involving departments and units in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, but also including academic areas from other colleges and units at the University. This program is designed to meet the needs of students who are also working professionals. All courses are offered in an accelerated format and are delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous distance education technologies.

This program has a strong relationship with youthrelated agencies/organizations and engages them in learning and experiential opportunities for students. The Youth Development Leadership program is designed to empower students to focus on strengths and assets within the context of family and community that will promote positive youth development; identify and examine physical, emotional, environmental and social issues related to being a young person in today’s society; prepare professional educators and leaders at all program and management levels for careers in schools, agencies, institutions and community groups that serve youth; train new and current professionals to be well prepared with increased knowledge and enhanced skills in the youth development area; prepare leaders who will have an immediate impact on youth development in South Carolina and around the nation; link formal and non-formal prevention and intervention youth programs to enhance the learning experience for students; and enhance youth serving agencies and organizations by supplying professionals who are competent in child and adolescent growth and development.

The Master of Science in Youth Development Leadership requires 36 semester hours of coursework as follows:

• STAT 8010 - Statistical Methods I 3 Credits
• YDP 8000 - Theories of Youth Development: An Applied Perspective 3 Credits
• YDP 8010 - Child and Adolescent Development 3 Credits
• YDP 8020 - Youth Development Programming in a Contemporary Society 3 Credits
• YDP 8030 - Creative and Ethical Leadership in a Changing Society 3 Credits
• YDP 8040 - Assessment and Evaluation of Youth Programs 3 Credits
• YDP 8050 - Youth Development in the Context of Family 3 Credits
• YDP 8060 - Youth Development in the Context of a Global and Diverse Society 3 Credits
• YDP 8080 - Grantsmanship 3 Credits
• YDP 8090 - Management of Staff and Volunteers 3 Credits
• YDP 8880 - Special Topics in Youth Development Leadership 3 Credits
• YDP 8900 - The Profession of Youth Development Leadership 3 Credits

Admission Requirements

A complete application package should include proof of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum gradepoint average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a letter of intent and two letters of reference. Experience in the field of youth development is preferred.