Health & Human Services

Youth Studies is an emerging multidisciplinary field that integrates theory, research, public policy, and practice. It spans academic disciplines like psychology, sociology, social work, education, human services and media, just to name a few.  Youth workers with the background and skills needed to foster a positive youth development approach will be best equipped to meet emerging workforce demands. Millions of young people, especially disconnected youth, participate each year in out-of-school time programs through public and private agencies.

With a grant from the Mayor’s Fund, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) continues its investment in CUNY through a university-wide Youth Studies Consortium. This initiative began in 2008 and built upon the DYCD Scholars program at Lehman College, which offers a 12-credit certificate in Youth Studies to workers employed in OST or Beacon programs. The Consortium increases capacity at CUNY in Youth Studies through the development of new courses, certificate and degree programs, web resources, counseling services for students, and faculty research opportunities in this emerging multidisciplinary field.

Prospective students who are interested in entering a program in Youth Studies at CUNY can explore coursework at various levels across the University.  Examples include:

Community Colleges

• Certificate in Youth Studies at Hostos Community College through the Education Department

Senior Colleges

• Major in Youth Studies at Lehman College through the Adult Degree Program 

• Minor in Youth Services at Lehman College through the Dept. of Health Sciences

• Major in Youth Studies through the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies

• Certificate Program for Child and Youth Workers at York College

Professional Schools

• Graduate Certificate in Youth Studies at the School for Professional Studies

Additional programs in Youth Studies can be found using CUNY’s search engine TIPPS. For more information about Youth Studies, please click here or contact Ashleigh Thompson.