Youth Studies is an emerging multidisciplinary field that spans the humanities, social sciences, the arts and sciences. Integrating theory, research, public policy, and practice, Youth Studies provides an opportunity to deepen students’ understanding of the relationship of youth and society through critical thinking, research and writing.

The Advanced Certificate in Youth Studies responds to the needs of those who work in the youth services field and is innovative in its approach to providing a pathway for professional development.

We invite you to learn more about the program, its students, and its faculty by watching this video:

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Advanced Certificate in Youth Studies are better prepared to design and offer programs that exemplify best practices in youth work, to engage in meaningful research with youth, and to develop youth policy that caters to the needs of youth, communities and families in the public education, juvenile justice, social welfare, and medical systems. 

Meet our Faculty

• Tiffanie Lewis-Durham, PhD
• Susan Matloff-Nieves
• Elizabeth Bishop, PhD
• Julie Stein Brockway, LCSW
• Sarah Zeller-Berkman, PhD

Research Agenda

The CUNY SPS Youth Studies Program has an active research agenda, Intergenerational Change Initiative. With support from the Mayor's Young Men's Initiative and the Ford Foundation, we have launched a youth participatory action research project aimed at involving young people in shaping the policies and institutions that impact their lives. We currently have a project in partnership with the Administration For Children's Services (ACS) and the Department of Education (DOE) to collect data from youth around the city about their experiences with those city agencies. As a collective we are exploring the implications of our findings on policies and practice and collaborating with city agency partners to use youth-generated research to inform their work.

Course Schedule

Spring 2019

Mondays

• Historical Perspectives on Adolescence (YS 600): 6:15-9:15pm

Thursdays

• Youth Development (YS 610): 6:15-9:15pm

Admissions Criteria

Candidates for admission to advanced certificate programs must possess a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher from an accredited undergraduate institution. Applicants are also required to write a personal statement, upload a resume, and provide one letter of recommendation. Applicants who meet the basic eligibility criteria may be asked to take part in an individual interview before final acceptance is determined.

Application Deadlines

Applications for Spring 2020 are due by December 5, 2019