Certificate program awarded by colleges or departments

Online

The Youth Development Specialist Certificate is designed so that students will acquire knowledge and skills relevant to two or more of the following.

1. Understand the history of the youth development area and advocate for the continued professionalization of the field.
2. Understand, integrate, and be able to apply conceptual approaches to youth development.
3. Understand normative pathways to development.
4. Understand youth and family cultural issues/ contexts and their micro-and macro-influences on positive youth development.

The Youth Development program is a collaborative, multi-institutional program, with coursework delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web in collaboration with the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA: http://www.gpidea.org/). Courses are taught by faculty from four land-grant universities: Kansas State University, Michigan State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Missouri.

It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of and understand university regulations as published. To review the complete approved description of this program as well as academic policies and student rights and responsibilities, visit the Michigan State University Academic Programs site.

To learn more about this program, visit the Youth Development Specialist program site.

Fall, Spring, & Summer semesters

This program is offered as a collaborative effort of several large, accredited, and nationally recognized universities, including Kansas State University, Michigan State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Missouri.

Professionals who have earned a relevant undergraduate degree and who are interested in graduate level specialized education in such fields as community recreation, correctional professions, non-profit organizations, Extension education, and other youth development professions.

For information on admission to this program, contact Family and Child Ecology or visit the Youth Development Specialist site.

To apply for this program, contact Family and Child Ecology or visit the program site.

For current tuition, fees, and payment information, visit the Controller's Student Accounts page.

For the University's tuition refund policy, visit the Controller's Operational Policies page.

For information about financial aid, including loans, available for students at Michigan State University, visit the Office of Financial Aid site.

Michigan State University serves the distance and continuing education needs of organizations by offering program customization, group sales, and consulting services through MSU Global Online Connection. To learn more, visit the MSU Global site.

Courses in this program are taught via the Internet. In order to participate in this program, students must be comfortable with, and have access to, a computer with an Internet connection. For assistance, visit the Student Computer Requirement and Considerations for Computer Use page.

For information about equipment needed to participate in this program, visit the Virtual University's Basic Equipment page.

Karen Mills
Department of Family and Child Ecology
14 Human Ecology Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1030
Phone: 517-353-7799
Email: gpidea@msu.edu