Youth and Community Studies

As a Youth and Community Studies major, you will take 24 hours of courses that focus on individual differences, cultural and linguistic diversity, human learning in multilingual and multicultural context, social concerns, children’s cognitive, social and emotional developmental theories, motivational value of play, effective physical education, health education, educational leadership and social justice.

• ALD 320 Cognition, Human Learning, & Motivation
• ALD 321 Play in Early Childhood Development
• ALD 322 Individual Differences
• ALD 327 Sociocultural Influences on Learning
• ALD 329 Acquisition of Language & Literacies
• ALD 331 Restorative Practices
• EDC 350G Adolescent Development
• ELP 354K Special Topics in Higher Education
• HED 329K Child & Adolescent Health

• Early Childhood – Coursework deals primarily with child and adolescent development and family relationships.
• Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS)– Courses cover topics on issues in K-12 and higher education, including the environments of schools, public policy, community organizations and families. With an emphasis on equity and social justice, students will be prepared for assessing and working for the improvement of these arenas with a focus on leadership and the analytical skill sets needed in educational settings.
• Coaching – Coursework covers fundamentals of coaching, theory, and practice as well as physiological and psychological aspects of sport.
• Special Populations – Coursework comes from such areas as communication science disorders, kinesiology, and social work, and provides an overview of communication disorders, increasing cultural awareness, and developing systems for individuals with disabilities.
• Urban Teachers – Prepares you to obtain secondary teacher certification in English Language Arts or social studies. 
• Youth and Social Services–Required courses cover topics in substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment. Elective topics range from the psychosocial aspects of aging to juvenile delinquency and criminal justice.

In addition to the YCS coursework, you will need to complete the UT Urban Teachers Program Professional Development Sequence. This is a teacher preparation program that includes coursework, fieldwork and observations, and student teaching.

Certificates and Minors

In addition to the YCS major, you can complete a minor or certificate program that complements your studies.

These are the most common certificates and minors:

• Bridging Disciplines Programs Certificates
• Business Minor
• Communication Studies Minor
• Kinesiology and Health Education Minor
• Educational Psychology Minor

Specializations

If you are interested in furthering your education in kinesiology and health, you are encouraged to choose a specialization. The Department of Kinesiology and Health Education offers seven specializations. For details, please visit our KHE Specializations page.

Check your degree plan for course options.

All Youth and Communities Studies are encouraged to explore their professional interests and network with professionals in their fields of interest by obtaining an internship. It’s never too early to start gaining valuable experience that will jumpstart your career!

Learn more

• Placement Exams and Claiming Credit Earned in High School
• Fieldwork in Youth and Community Studies
• Internships
• Career Paths