Youth Work Practice, CERT

Overview

Whether leading a youth development organization, managing youth programs, or working at the frontlines with young people, a youth worker puts young people’s wellbeing at the center of her/his efforts. Youth work is about building trust-filled, mutually respectful relationships with young people and helping them to develop knowledge, skills, and a sense of purpose. Youth workers create safe environments for young people and guide those harmed by oppressive community conditions such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism through a process of healing and building resilience. Youth workers connect with young people that other individuals and institutions have failed to engage.

Clark University’s Certificate in Youth Work Practice honors this important profession and is committed to building this field by integrating foundational and cutting edge youth development theories with authentic youth work practice. Our program has been co-created with local youth workers. Learning, teaching and action happen in the context of a Community of Practice (CoP) consisting of Clark faculty directly engaged in youth work, alongside aspiring, novice, and experienced youth workers.

Youth Work Practice Certificate Requirements

Students complete 3 units to earn a certificate. Two units are required or core courses. One unit is elective.

Core Courses (2 Units)

IDCE 340 Fundamentals of Youth Work  

IDCE 303 Youth Work: Practice and Social Justice  

Electives (1 Unit)

IDCE 30203 Program Evaluation for Youth and Community Development Initiatives  

IDCE 30221 Education and Development  

IDCE 30296 Nonprofit Management  

Additional electives can be considered with approval from the Youth Work Practice Advisor.

Core Faculty in the Program of Youth Work Practice

David Bell, International Development and Social Change
Katerine Bielaczyc, Hiatt Center for Urban Education
Ramon Borges-Mendez, Community Development and Planning
Nigel Brissett, International Development and Social Change
Eric DeMeulenaere, Education
Sarah Michaels, Education and Communication and Culture
Ousmane Power-Greene, History
Laurie Ross, Community Development and Planning