K-State Youth Development M.S.

K-State is now accepting applications for Fall 2010.

Kansas State University is currently accepting applications to begin in Fall semester, 2010. The application process is competitive and a limited number of slots are available to incoming students. The application deadline for Fall admission is February 1, and the application deadline for Spring admission is September 1. In the even that a student is not accepted to our program due to limited space, they should contact one of our program partners. Additional information is located at www.gpidea.org. For application requirements and forms, please click here.

This program is a collaborative, multi-institution effort with coursework delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web. Faculty from Kansas State University, Michigan State University, North Dakota State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of Missouri share knowledge and expertise in youth development. All institutions are members of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) and have a history of success in distance education.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of the program, students will:

Understand, integrate, and be able to apply conceptual approaches to youth development (e.g., asset building, positive youth development, community youth development, risk and resiliency);
Understand normative pathways to development;
Understand youth and family cultural issues/contexts and their micro- and macro-influences on positive youth outcomes;
Understand and apply basic research and evaluation skills to youth development programming;
Develop skills in problem-solving when working with funding sources, boards, other agencies, families and other professionals;
Demonstrate understanding of the development and impact of local, regional, state, federal, and global policies on youth;
Be able to develop and apply resources (e.g., agency budgeting, grant development, fund raising) for successful management of youth-serving organizations; and
Understand the history of the youth development area and advocate for the continued professionalization of the field.

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Master's degree

Program Requirements

The graduate program consists of 36 credit hours, including 10 required courses equaling 28 credit hours and 8 elective hours. The courses will be offered on a rotating basis, with all courses offered at least once every other year (i.e., Fall, Spring, and Summer).

The eight elective hours will consist of a practicum (1-3 credits), independent study (1-3 credits), or coursework. Final exam, practicum and/or independent study project hours will be coordinated with your major professor.

Core courses offered within the program include nine courses (3 credit hours each) and a professional-development seminar (1 credit hour):

Foundations of Youth Development (professional-development seminar)
Community Youth Development
Adolescents and Their Families
Program Design, Evaluation, and Implementation
Topics in Contemporary Youth Issues
Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research
Youth Policy
Administration and Program Management
Youth in Cultural Contexts
Youth Development

Course Schedule and Descriptions

Certificate

The Certificate program offered through Kansas State University is a graduate certificate program. Students must apply for Graduate School admission. Each certificate requires twelve credit hours plus a one hour fundamentals course. The fundamentals course must be taken only once.

Youth Development Professional (13 credits)

Foundation Seminar (1 cr)

Plus 4 of the following courses (12 cr):

Youth Development (3 cr)
Community Youth Development (3 cr)
Adolescents and Their Families (3 cr)
Youth Policy (3 cr)
Youth in Cultural Contexts (3 cr)
Topics in Contemporary Youth Issues (3 cr)

Youth Development Administration (13 credits)

Foundations of Youth Development (1 cr)

4 of the following five (12 credits):

Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation (3 cr)
Program Administration (3 cr)
Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research (3 cr)
Youth Policy (3 cr)
Topics in Contemporary Youth Issues (3 cr)

Application Requirements & Process

Students are encouraged to seek admission for the fall semester.

KSU Admission Instructions
To request an application, or check on the status of an application, please contact Beth Shanholtzer.

You select the institution to be your degree conferring institution. This institution will award your degree on successful completion of the program of study. Each course has a maximum enrollment; and those who have been admitted to a degree program at one of the participating universities will be given preference for space in the class. Contact persons can provide specifics about admission and placement on wait-lists.

GRE
Kansas State University does not require the GRE for admission into the M.S. in Youth Development program.

Financial Aid
To qualify for financial aid, graduate students must be enrolled in 5 semester hours in the fall and spring semesters (half-time), and 3 hours in the summer. FAFSA forms must be filled out for all government loan programs. This form uses last year's income. If you've had a change in circumstances (i.e., quit work to go to school, have large moving or medical expenses) contact the financial aid office. They may be able to adjust your aid package based on this information which could not be conveyed on the forms. Student Financial Assistance provides financial aid forms, student guide, counseling, and more.

K-State does accept VA tuition assistance for distance education courses. More information on this option can be obtained by contacting Ivy Popovich at 1-800-432-8222.

Kansas State University does not offer scholarships for part-time graduate students. To qualify for any scholarships, students must be enrolled in nine hours of graduate work. Most assistance for graduate students comes in the form of Graduate Assistantships. If you live in or near Manhattan and are interested in information on available assistantships, please contact Connie Fechter.

Course Registration
The GPIDEA Program Coordinator will send instructions and course registration materials for each course. Students enroll for all courses through their home institution. This means students will have only one enrollment process to complete and one check to write. All coursework completed will immediately be recorded on your K-State transcript. Financial aid may also be easier to secure.

Tuition and Fees
As stated above, students admitted to the program at Kansas State University enroll at K-State for all courses, whether they are taught at KSU or at a participating university. All courses will have a common price of $430 per credit hour ($1290 per 3-hour course). There is no in-state or out-of-state tuition. This price will cover all course costs except textbook or course packet purchases.

Classroom Instruction
Most courses are taught online using a course management system accessed through your web browser. Some have supplemental materials on videos or CDs and others may require phone conferencing. Interactivity between students and professor is through e-mail, phone conferencing and the Internet classroom.

Course Materials
Textbooks and supplemental materials are required for each course and are the responsibility of the students. Approximate cost is $50-100 per course.

Transfer of credits
The Dean of Graduate Studies of the degree-awarding institution will maintain a transcript for students matriculated at that university. Each semester, course rosters and grade sheets will be transferred between institutions allowing the grades to be automatically, and immediately, recorded on the student's transcript.

For more information on the M.S. in Youth Development program at K-State contact Elaine Johannes. For questions on the application process, contact Beth Shanholtzer by e-mail, or by phone at (785) 532-1470.