Program Website: www.grad.clemson.edu/programs/youthdevelopment

Introduction

Our youth are the future of an enduring society, yet the leadership and guidance required to prepare them for successful and productive lives is often lacking or insufficient. Clemson University’s online Master of Science (MS) degree in Youth Development Leadership equips students with the knowledge and skills to help young people become healthy, competent, coping and contributing citizens. This program prepares students to foster positive outcomes for youth in the context of family and community through a dynamic learning environment.

Programs of Study

This program meets the needs of students who are also working professionals. All courses are offered in an accelerated format and are delivered through the College of Health, Education and Human Development (CHEHD) Office of Distance Education. If you are accepted into the program, you will be required to visit the Clemson University campus for three days each year for group activities.

You will enroll in two courses (taken consecutively) each term and complete the program in two years.

This program is a 37-credit-hour interdisciplinary degree, primarily involving departments and units in the College of Health, Education and Human Development, but also including academic areas from other colleges and units at Clemson University.

Technology Requirements & Online Courses

You will connect and interact with your instructors and other students electronically, both asynchronously (at different times) or synchronously (at the same time). These courses involve approximately 80% asynchronous communications and 20% synchronous communications.

You will need a microphone, access to email and the Internet (via the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Netscape or an equivalent browser) and a computer with the ability to read a CD-ROM or DVD. You will also need current versions of your operating system and of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software. Headsets are required and because the courses involve sending and receiving large files, a high-speed Internet connection is ideal.

You will be responsible for allocating sufficient time in your schedule to access the course materials, study the content and complete your assignments. This will require 12 to 15 hours per week, and courses are six weeks in duration.

 

Student Group

The Youth Development Leadership program admits a maximum of 25 students per year. The majority of students work in youth-related professions while enrolled in the program.

Students in the program are new professionals, career-changers and practicing professionals who want to expand their skills and create new professional opportunities.

 

Student Outcomes

Graduates of this program are prepared to work in youth-serving agencies and other family and community environments that promote youth well-being.

 

Course Schedule

All admitted students begin the program in the spring semester each year. The following course schedule is based on this admission date and the university calendar.

Year One - Spring Term

January: On-Campus Orientation (part of HEHD 800)
Weeks 3-8: HEHD 800, Foundations of Youth Development
Weeks 10-15: HEHD 801, Child and Adolescent Development

Year One - First Summer Term

HEHD 802, Youth Development Programming

Year One - Second Summer Term

HEHD 804, Assessment and Evaluation of Youth Programs

Year One - Fall Term

Weeks 3-8: EX ST 801, Statistical Methods
Weeks 10-15: HEHD 803, Creative and Ethical Leadership in Changing Society

Year Two - Spring Term

Weeks 3-8: HEHD 805, Youth Development in Context of Family
Weeks 10-15: SOC 805, Evaluation Research
April: On-Campus CHEHD Research Forum (part of SOC 805)

Year Two - First Summer Term

HEHD 806, Youth Development in Context of Global and Diverse Society
HEHD 807, Internship in Youth Development

Year Two - Fall Term

Weeks 3-8: HEHD 808, Grantsmanship
Weeks 10-15: HEHD 892, Master’s Project

Please note: This schedule is subject to change. Each course is six weeks in length and most are three credit hours. Statistical Methods (EXST 801) is four credit hours.

The Online Certificate Program

The online certificate in youth development leadership is designed to equip professionals with competencies that augment their bachelor’s degree in a related field. This program requires a minimum of 15 graduate credit hours of course work while taking into consideration your academic background and preparation. It can be completed within one year.

If you are admitted into the online certificate program, you must take the following courses:

HEHD 800, Foundations of Youth Development
HEHD 801, Child and Adolescent Development
HEHD 802, Youth Development Programming
HEHD 803, Creative and Ethical Leadership in Changing Society
HEHD 804, Assessment and Evaluation of Youth Programs

If you are admitted into the certificate program as a non-degree student, you may decide to apply to the master’s degree program in youth development leadership. Only 12 credit hours can be transferred into a graduate degree program. If you intend to transfer into the degree program, you must do so before completing the certificate program.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting the youth development leadership website at www.grad.clemson.edu/brochure/youthdevelopment.

Applying

Most successful candidates for admission to the program will have:

a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Exam
a letter of intent
two letters of reference
experience in the field of youth development leadership

You may apply on the web at www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php. Applications, along with a $55 nonrefundable fee, should be received by October 1 for January admission. Every required item in support of your application must be on file by that date.

Research Facilities

Students have access to the online library resources of the University. These resources are comparable to those provided to on-campus students as well as additional services such as book delivery and scanned journal articles.

The University

Clemson is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, a category comprising less than four percent of all universities in America. The University’s mission is to fulfill the covenant between its founder and the people of South Carolina to establish a “high seminary of learning” through its responsibilities of teaching, research and extended public service.

Faculty Listing

Lawrence R. Allen, Dean, College of Health, Education and Human Development. PhD, University of Maryland, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Research interests: resilience, collaborative programs, program development, community capacity.

Denise M. Anderson, Assistant Professor. PhD, University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Research interests: youth program development, adolescent girls, evaluation research.

Keith G. Diem, Professor. PhD, Ohio State University, Extension Education/Youth Development. Research interests: program and curriculum development, administration and leadership, volunteer development and management.

Samuel F. Drew, Associate Director, National Dropout Prevention Center. PhD, University of South Carolina, Educational Administration. Research interests: dropout prevention, K-12 school administration, community education.

Susan P. Limber, Professor and Associate Director, Family and Neighborhood Life. PhD, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Research interests: youth violence prevention, youth participation, children’s rights, child and adolescent development.

Catherine F. Mobley, Associate Professor. PhD, University of Maryland, Sociology. Research interests: program evaluation research, policy analysis, social advocacy, environmental sociology.

William H. Quinn, Professor. PhD, Virginia Tech, Family Therapy. Research interests: child and adolescent development, family therapy, program evaluation.

Jay Smink, Executive Director, National Dropout Prevention Center. EdD, Pennsylvania State University. Research interests: school reform, mentoring, project evaluation, educational marketing.

Carol G. Weatherford, Associate Professor. EdD, North Carolina State, Occupational Education. Research interests: child and adolescent development, grant writing, community program development.