M.S. in Human Development and Family Science: Youth Development
Youth development is an emerging professional field. It has a positive orientation, meaning its focus is on promoting the positive development of youth, and it is an applied field, with professionals who put developmental research and theory into practice in structuring and implementing programs and services for adolescents.
A master's degree in youth development prepares students for careers in organizations such as 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, non-profits, faith based groups, community recreation, juvenile justice facilities, middle and high school programs, extension services, and military youth programs.
The online Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science: Youth Development option is a collaborative, inter-institutional program offered by Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), a web-based distance education program. The program requires 37 credits, including a Master's paper or thesis. Students can complete the program in two to three years.
Youth Development Brochure.pdf
Sample Plan of Study
Required Core Courses:
- HDFS 710 Foundations of Youth Development (1 CREDIT)
- HDFS 711 Youth Development (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 712 Community Youth Development (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 713 Adolescents and their families (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 714 Contemporary Youth Issues* (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 715 Youth in Cultural Contexts (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 716 Youth Professionals as Consumer of Research (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 717 Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 718 Administration and Program Management (3 CREDITS)
- HDFS 719 Youth Policy (3 CREDITS)
*This course may be taken more than once, as long as the topic areas are different each time.
Choose from:
-
HDFS 798 Master's Thesis (6 CREDITS)
Plus 3 Additional credits to be approved by adviser and committee; may include HDFS 794 Practicum. -
HDFS 797 Master's Paper (3 CREDITS)
Plus 6 additional credits to be approved by adviser and committee; may include HDFS 794 Practicum.
Total Credits: 37
Graduate Faculty
For information about graduate faculty for this program as well as their current research interests, visit the M.S. in Human Development and Family Science: Youth Development bulletin page.
Admission
Apply for admission
View Getting Started Guide
For current admission requirements, visit the M.S. in Human Development and Family Science: Youth Development bulletin page.
TUITION AND FEES
View Great Plains IDEA tuition and fee information.
Contact Information
NDSU Department of Human Development and Family Science
Phone: 701-231-8269
Email: Joel.Hektner@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hdfs/
NDSU Distance & Continuing Education
Phone: 1-800-726-1724 or 701-231-7015
Email: ndsu.dce@ndsu.edu
NDSU Graduate School
Phone: 701-231-7033
Email: ndsu.grad.school@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/