Program Summary
Fall 2023
Spring 2024
Summer 2023
CREDITS AND COST
Jennifer Hunter
Director of Graduate Certificate
Assistant Director of Family and Consumer Sciences
jhunter@uky.eduRequest Information
Receive information about tuition, application deadlines, tuition assistance and more!
Program Summary
Fall 2023
Spring 2024
Summer 2023
CREDITS AND COST
Learn the science of youth development.
There are countless programs designed to help youth transition to adulthood. Yet, research has shown the common practices of addressing deficits in behavior and action (e.g., anti-drug education) are largely ineffective.
There is, however, a more promising and effective approach: Positive Youth Development.
Unlike other practices, Positive Youth Development (PYD) is an evolving area of study that:
- is intentional and pro-social
- engages youth within their communities, schools, peer groups, and families
- fosters positive relationships
- nutures leadership strengths
With three core courses and one elective (12 credit hours total), students in the PYD program will learn to apply research to youth programming, assess and address public concerns in youth development, and employ theory-based models in both traditional and non-traditional educational settings.
This online graduate certificate is delivered by University of Kentucky experts from the Department of 4-H Youth Development in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Should students want to pursue a graduate degree, in addition to the PYD certificate, this program is designed to compliment the University's online Science Translation and Outreach master of science program - providing 12 of the 30 required hours.
The potential for change is a core strength of all youth – a strength that can be built upon. This strength is cause for optimism for it means we can positively influence the life paths of all children.
The PYD Curriculum
18 Hours Total = Three Core Courses + One Elective Course
PYD 600 Contemporary Issues in Youth and Agriculture
This course will examine current issues in youth and agriculture in relation to their impact on communities and professionals working in related fields. Students will engage in research, exploration of current and emerging issues, and the identification of research/evidence based interventions associated with these issues. The goal of this class is to provide students with opportunities to develop and enhance their analysis ability, critical thinking skills, and communication capacity. Students will engage in self-direct learning, research, literature reviews, group discussion, and class presentations in a fully online setting.
Required as part of the PYD graduate certificate.
PYD 610 Engaging the Learner: Exploring Brain-Based Learning
There has been an explosion of research in the past 20 years involving the brain and how it works. This research has led to study focused on how the brain processes information most effectively, or brain-based learning (BBL). This course will investigate the principles of brainbased learning and the knowledge-base supporting BBL. The course will cover historical perspectives of the role of the brain in learning, the anatomy and growth of the brain, neurobiology (how information is processed), theories of BBL, creating BBL environments, adapting current educational programs using BBL, and applying BBL strategies in their current educational programs. Students will engage in self-directed learning, research, literature reviews, group discussion, and class presentations in a fully online setting.
Required as part of the PYD graduate certificate.
PYD 620 Foundations of Positive Youth Development
Investigation of research contributing to the foundation of positive youth development with focus on environmental situations promoting positive youth development and execution of theories within youth serving organizations. Students will engage in self-directed learning, research, literature reviews, group discussion, and class presentations in a fully online setting.
Required as part of the PYD graduate certificate.
+ One Elective Course
To fulfill a three-hour elective requirement, students may enroll in the PYD courses list or, with the approval of the Certificate Director, select other University of Kentucky courses related to youth development (e.g., distance learning and design, instructional communication, family sciences, etc.).
PYD 695 Independent Work in Positive Youth Development
This course is designed as an intensive independent scholarship or training in positive youth development geared to individual needs, interest, aptitudes, and desired outcomes. Students are provided the opportunity to gain or enhance positive youth development knowledge and to explore an area of interest related to positive youth development research or the delivery and/or administration of positive youth development programming. A specific topic in positive youth development related to the student’s interests and program needs is selected for intensive study. Work to be supervised by a professor within the Positive Youth Development graduate certificate program.
PYD 630 Independent Work in Positive Youth Development
This course is designed as an intensive independent scholarship or training in positive youth development geared to individual needs, interest, aptitudes, and desired outcomes. Students are provided the opportunity to gain or enhance positive youth development knowledge and to explore an area of interest related to positive youth development research or the delivery and/or administration of positive youth development programming. A specific topic in positive youth development related to the student’s interests and program needs is selected for intensive study. Work to be supervised by a professor within the Positive Youth Development graduate certificate program.
Application Requirements
- Personal statement
- Please include a personal statement with your application. This should include information about your experience with positive youth development as well as summarizing your interested in obtaining this Graduate Certificate.
- Three letters of recommendation
Per federal regulations and our State Authorization agreement, view University Refund Policies here.
Federal Financial Aid and Certificate Programs
Please note that federal financial aid is not available for certificate programs, but other financial resources may be available on the Financial Aid page.
Contact
Jennifer Hunter
Director of Graduate Certificate
Assistant Director of Family and Consumer Sciences
jhunter@uky.eduCollege of Agriculture, Food & Environment
212 Scovell Hall
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-0064
859-218-0989
Students Residing Outside of Kentucky
If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Out of State Student page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state.