Youth Development Leadership Certificate

Program Description

The Youth Development Leadership Certificate provides another dimension of education and training for professionals and complements the MS in Youth Development Leadership. The certificate is designed to accommodate the educational needs of professionals in programmatic, service-related and leadership positions. The certificate program provides professional development opportunities for current workers in youth-related agencies/organizations interested in acquiring advanced courses toward certification and/or updating certification, and is designed to equip professionals with competencies that augment their bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in a related field.

Additional information is available on the departmental website at https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/departments/prtm/academics/graduate/youth-development-leadership-graduate-certificate/index.html.

Summary of Certificate Requirements

The Youth Development Leadership Certificate program requires a minimum of 15 credit hours of course work. Subsequent to completing YDP 8000 - Theories of Youth Development: An Applied Perspective 3 Credits , the student, in consultation with a YDP faculty member, can select four additional courses from the YDL curriculum based on professional goals and interests.

Core Coursework

This curriculum includes the following courses beyond YDP 8000 :

• PADM 8410 - Public Data Analysis 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 8060 - Youth Development in the Context of a Global and Diverse Society 3 Credits  
• YDP 8080 - Grant Writing 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  

Outcomes, Learning Objectives, and Graduation Requirements

The YDL Certificate program is designed to:

• Enhance student knowledge, skills, and attitude competencies related to youth development leadership via progression through a customized youth development leadership curriculum;
• Empower students to focus on youth 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 associated with being a young person (and leading youth) in today’s society;
• Prepare youth development leaders at all program and management levels for careers in schools, agencies, institutions, and community groups that serve youth; and
• Provide opportunities for students to immediately apply knowledge and skills acquired in the program to impact on youth development in South Carolina and around the nation.