Program Requirements
To complete the Positive Youth Development graduate certificate, students must complete 12 credit hours. All certificate students must take PYD 600, PYD 610, PYD 620 and three credits of an elective course. The Positive Youth Development graduate certificate is designed to partially meet the elective concentration component of the MS in Science Translation and Outreach.
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. (3 credits) Prereq: None
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 brain-based 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-direct learning, research, literature reviews, group discussion, and class presentations in a fully online setting. (3 credits) Prereq: None
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. (3 credits) Prereq: None
Electives
Students must complete three credits of graduate-level electives as approved by the Assistant Certificate Director.
