The family and youth development concentration will prepare students to work with youth and families through community-based programs. The concentration combines the study of theories of family and youth development with courses that help students develop the skills needed to offer programs and give leadership to public and private sector organizations serving youth and families. The concentration courses give students an in-depth understanding of youth development, as well as family interaction and functioning across the lifespan, and knowledge and skills needed to work with youth and families in community-based programs. Concentration courses emphasize an understanding of basic issues; the development of applied skills in prevention, intervention, research and evaluation; and the formation of policies leading to the promotion of positive development, well-being, and resilience.

Goal: A family and youth development concentration in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences will prepare students to work with diverse youth and families; and offer skills to evaluate programs and policies that will assist them in a global society.

Objectives

Upon completing this concentration, students will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of typical youth development and family functioning.
2. Identify the needs of families and youth, and mobilize resources to address these needs.
3. Establish effective working relationships with families and youth.
4. Develop productive partnerships with community-based organizations.
5. Develop research-based strategies and programmatic interventions to improve the delivery of services to families and youth.
6. Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and programs in meeting the needs of families and youth.
7. Educate families and youth, community leaders, and policy makers about the needs of families and youth.
8. Incorporate knowledge of diversity and skills for working with diverse clientele into the development of programs and policies for families and youth.
9. Utilize resiliency and asset-based models in practice and policy for families and youth.