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Course Planner

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 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.

Beginning in fall 2027, the program will be revised to a 30-credit-hour curriculum that includes 21 required credit hours and nine credit hours of electives.

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 Development3UNLNDSU
Youth Today: Exploring Development3UNLNDSUUNLNDSU
Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research3UNLISU
Applying Research in Human and Social Services3UNLISUUNLISU

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 Families3Christy RogersMU
Youth and Their Families*3MUMU
Youth-Adult Relationships3Meghan GilletteMU
Youth-Adult Relationships and Mentoring3ISUMUISUMU
Youth in Cultural Contexts*3ISU
Youth Culture and Identity*3ISUISU
Youth, Sports & Society*3Yuya Kiuchi
Beyond the Game: Youth, Sport, and Society*3MISU
Adolescent Health & Sexuality*3Antoinette M. Landor
Youth Health and Sexuality*3MU

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
Positive Youth Development in Community Settings3Meghan GilletteMISUISU
Youth Policy3Francisco A. VillarruelMU
Youth Policy for Positive Youth Development3MISUMISU
Youth Mental Health*3Leanna McWood
Promoting Positive Mental Health in Youth*3NDSU
Systems of Care for Youth at Risk*3TTU
Understanding Youth-Serving Systems3TTUTTU

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.