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Youth Development Graduate Programs

IDEA's online master's degree in youth development provides exceptional preparation for a rewarding career working with youth representing every race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Through the dynamic 36-credit hour curriculum, you gain the knowledge and skills to design and implement effective youth programming and be an advocate for youth issues and pro-youth policies.

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Master's Degree Coursework and Degree Requirements 27 credit hours

Of the 36 hours required for this degree, 27 hours are core requirements, leaving nine credit hours that are a combination of elective courses and/or practicum/independent study/research experiences. Consult your academic advisor for information specific to your home university requirements.

Students are encouraged to choose elective courses (denoted with an asterisk in each block) that meet their own unique professional needs and goals.

Blocks 2-4 are not sequential, students may take courses in these blocks in any order they choose.

Courses

Block 1 - Foundational Skills in Positive Youth Development

Foundations of Youth Development must be completed in the first semester and is offered every semester so you can start the program anytime. All other Block 1 courses are required and must be completed within the first two semesters of enrollment.
2026202720282029
CourseCreditsSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpring
Foundations of Youth Development3Heather KennedyMelissa HerzogTTUNDSUMUTTUUNLMUTTU
Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research3UNLISUUNLISUUNLISU
Youth Development3UNLNDSUUNLNDSUUNLNDSU

Block 2 - Relational Dynamics and Positive Youth Development

Adolescents and Their Families and Youth-Adult Relationships are required courses.
*Denotes an elective course.
2026202720282029
CourseCreditsSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpring
Adolescents and Their Families3Ali LuempertMUTTUMUTTUMU
Youth-Adult Relationships3Meghan GilletteMUISUMUISUMU
Youth in Cultural Contexts*3ISUISUISU
Youth, Sports & Society*3Yuya KiuchiMISU
Adolescent Health & Sexuality*3Antoinette M. LandorMUMU

Block 3 - Contexts of Youth Practice and Policy

Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development in Community Settings are required courses.
*Denotes an elective course.
2026202720282029
CourseCreditsSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpring
Youth Policy3Francisco A. VillarruelMUMISUMUMISUMU
Positive Youth Development in Community Settings3Meghan GilletteMISUISUMISUISUMISU
Youth Mental Health*3Leanna McWoodNDSU
Systems of Care for Youth at Risk*3TTU

Block 4 - Youth Program Management, Evaluation, and Administration

Design and Evaluation of Youth Programs and Youth Development Personnel and Program Management are required courses.
*Denotes an elective course.
2026202720282029
CourseCreditsSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpring
Design and Evaluation of Youth Programs3Robin Peiter HorstmeierUNLMUUNLMUUNL
Youth Development Personnel and Program Management3Scott MattesonUNLMISUUNLMISUUNL
Youth, Families & Technology*3MISU

Practicum/Independent Study/Research

Some culminating opportunities such as creative components, directed studies, practica, research projects, comprehensive exams, and/or theses may be available through your home university, but not all participating universities require such experiences for degree completion. Discuss the availability and/or requirement of such options with your academic advisor at your home university.