Youth Work Practice, CERT

Overview

Offered through Clark University’s Depatrment of Sustainabillity and Social Justice (SSJ), the unique professional youth work practice certification explores exciting, effective ways to engage young people in coordinated youth development and leadership programs. You can advance this evolving profession by learning from faculty and expert youth workers who are wholly dedicated to engaging with youth in our vibrant, urban Worcester community and beyond.

While contributing to the field, you learn the tools you need to build trust-filled, authentic, mutually respectful relationships with young people and to design and manage youth development programs. You also gain experience working with different kinds of organizations that support young people’s social and emotional development, learning, and skill-building.

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)

SSJ 340 Fundamentals of Youth Work  

SSJ 303 Youth Work: Practice and Social Justice  

Electives (1 Unit)

SSJ 30203 Program Evaluation for Youth and Community Development Initiatives  

SSJ 30221 Education and Development  

SSJ 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

Ramon Borges-Mendez, Community Development and Planning

Nigel Brissett, International Development

Eric DeMeulenaere, Education

Sarah Michaels, Education and Communication and Culture

Laurie Ross, Community Development and Planning

Jennifer Safford-Farquharson, Community Development and Planning

Dodi Swope, Community Development and Planning

Sustainability and Social Justice Program Faculty

David Bell, Ed.D.

Ramón Borges-Méndez, Ph.D

Nigel Brissett, Ph.D.

Cynthia Caron, Ph.D.

Timothy Downs, D.Env.

Anita Fábos, Ph.D.

Jude Fernando, Ph.D.

Ellen Foley, Ph.D.

Denise Humphreys Bebbington, Ph.D.

Eman Lasheen, Ph.D.

Ken MacLean, Ph.D.

Yelena Ogneva-Himmelberger, Ph.D.

Margaret Post, Ph.D.

Laurie Ross, Ph.D.

Morgan Ruelle, Ph.D.