Advanced Certificate in Youth Studies

Format: Online, On Campus
Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: May 18, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline Extension: June 1, 2023

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, through on campus, online, and hybrid coursework, 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 engage in meaningful research with youth, as well as design and offer programs that exemplify best practices in youth work. Students learn to develop policy for public education, juvenile justice, social welfare, and medical systems that caters to the needs of youth.

Meet our Faculty

Research Agenda

The CUNY SPS Youth Studies Program has an active research agenda: The 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.) As a collective, we are exploring the implications of our findings on policies and practices while collaborating with city agency partners to use youth-generated research to inform their work. ICI recently launched a research tool created by and for youth called Amplify that houses our annual Youth ask Youth (YAY) Census.

With generous support from the New York Community Trust, we launched the Immigrant and Refugee Youth Action Fellowship, an intergenerational group of people that work with or have experience being an immigrant or refugee. This group has created a critical participatory action research project related to the “everyday experiences of immigrant and refugee families during the COVID-19 crisis.”

Class Schedule

Each course meets once a week in the evening from 6:15 - 9:15 p.m. eastern standard time in an online synchronous format via Zoom. Please contact the Academic Director if you have any questions about the class schedule.

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. The letter of recommendation may be submitted before or after submitting an application. An individual interview may be necessary if an applicant meets most but not all requirements.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: May 18, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline Extension: June 1, 2023
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Carolina Moquete

Advanced Certificate in Youth Studies

"It definitely empowered me to have a certain level of confidence in the work I was doing with young people that I didn’t necessarily have in my first year in the role."

Amanda Ebokosia

MA in Youth Studies

"My cohort has held a two-year WhatsApp group. It's like having your own cheer squad or support group in your pocket. I've now met colleagues who I consider to be real friends."

Chanira Rojas

MA/Advanced Certificate in Youth Studies

"We are a tight-knit group with a passion for providing youth with the tools they need to become empowered individuals that will change their lives and the lives of others."

Carolina Moquete

Youth Studies

"The most gratifying aspect of my job is having the opportunity to plant seeds of what’s not only possible but realistic for my students to achieve. I get to help students impact their future in a positive way every single day."

Recent News About Advanced Certificate in Youth Studies

Smiling CUNY SPS students at youth studies event.

Youth Studies Launches ‘23 with Community-Building Events

February 17, 2023

The School's youth studies program hosted back-to-back events that focused on youth programs, social justice, and self-care.

Photo of the hands of five young people clasped together

Timely Series Explores Labor Issues Facing Youth-Workers

December 23, 2021

The two-part talk series, hosted by the CUNY SPS youth studies program, focused on how to build youth-worker power and community.

Black Youth Development & Organizing Event

CUNY SPS Youth Studies Program Hosts 3-Part Lecture Series on Community & Youth Organizing

February 14, 2020

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) youth studies program hosted a three-part lecture series on youth and community organizing in January 2020. Alumni, community...

Margaret Reilly - Academic Director, Nursing

Three CUNY SPS Faculty Receive JFK, Jr. Institute Fellowship

January 23, 2020

Dr. Elizabeth Bishop, adjunct faculty, youth studies program; Margaret Reilly, academic director of nursing; and Cassandra Evans, assistant professor, disability studies programs,...