Dec 02, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog | Expires Aug. 2030 
    
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Youth Services Minor


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(18-21 credits required)

A minor in Youth Services is available to all SVSU students. 

Program Objective:  To enhance the student’s awareness of human needs and services relevant to children and youth.

Mission Statement:   The mission of the Youth Services minor is to build students’ awareness of human needs and services relevant to children and youth. The course work and required field placement prepares students for careers in public and non-profit social service agencies such as foster care, adoption, and juvenile justice programs designed to assist with child protection and family empowerment. Students learn to use evidence-based knowledge of developmental issues facing contemporary youth to enhance the well-being of children and families. Students acquire skills that assist in building partnerships with youth, their families, and youth services colleagues. From a strengths-based, non-punitive approach students learn to assess the functioning of current youth service agencies, and practice designing youth services to address present challenges in diverse environments. In addition, students learn to advocate for effective social policy for youth and their families.

YS 310 Requirement


  • 3 cr
  • ** YS 310  is required for non-BSW majors and cannot be incluided in their 15 credit minimum.

  • ** YS 310  may be taken by BSW majors as an elective and included in their 18 credit minimum. (See below)

Field Work Requirement:


BSW students must do their field placement (SW 483  and SW 484 ) in an agency serving children, youth, and families approved by the Social Work Department Field Coordinator for the Youth Services minor. Students who are not BSW majors, or BSW students who do not do their Field Placement in an approved setting for the minor, must take a minimum of 3 credits of YS 496 - Field Work in Youth Services  or YS 497  if they are earning a Juvenile Justice Certificate.

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