Youth Development

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Interinstitutional Graduate Program

Iowa State University offers a Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a specialization in Youth Development. This is an interinstitutional online program offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (or GPIDEA). The student selects a home institution (Iowa State), which ultimately grants the degree. After admission to Iowa State, the student takes courses from Iowa State and the other participating institutions: Michigan State University, North Dakota State University, Texas Tech University, University of Missouri, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Master of Family and Consumer Sciences with Youth Development specialization is an online degree available focusing on developing knowledge and skills to serve today’s youth. Students become immersed in a strengths-based curriculum and learn a methodology that supports youth, enabling them to grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively. The program has its roots in positive youth development. Rather than focusing solely on corrective measures, a positive youth development approach equips individuals in the second decade of life with the skillset necessary for a successful transition into adulthood.

The masters degree consists of 36 credits, 27 required credits, 6 elective credits, and 3 or more credits of creative component and/or internship. This program does not require a thesis.