Youth Program Management and Evaluation
Graduate Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
12
Total Credits
$610
Credit Hour
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The IDEA youth development program has its roots in Positive Youth Development Rather than focusing solely on corrective measures, a Positive Youth Development approach equips young people in the second decade of life with the skills and opportunities necessary for a successful transition into adulthood. This Michigan State University youth program management program approach promotes positive outcomes for all youth by recognizing their strengths, fostering positive relationships, and providing youth with opportunities to learn, lead, connect, and serve.
Program Outcomes
In this online graduate certificate program you will learn:
- To interact effectively and positively with youth to promote supportive relationships, youth engagement, and youth leadership.
- To navigate the multiple systems (e.g., family, school, community, policy) that influence youths lives, to appreciate the diversity of these systems, and to engage with these systems to promote positive youth development.
- To design, manage, implement, and evaluate programs to enhance and support positive outcomes for youth.
- To understand theory, research, and policy about youth and youth programming and to use this research-based knowledge in a variety of ways (e.g., funding proposals, program design, policy/advocacy efforts, etc).
Career Outlook
When youth development professionals take part in higher education and ongoing learning, research shows that youth program quality improves. In this youth management certificate program, you will learn to use more effective practices and feel more confident about your work, all of which will benefit youth.
Our graduates work with various youth-serving organizations:
- Boys and Girls Club
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
- Cooperative Extension services, 4-H programs
- Missouri State Correctional Office
- Girls, Inc.
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- Administration for Native Americans
- AmeriCorps
- Family and Youth Services Bureau
- Federal Youth Court Program
- Learn and Serve America
- National Guard Youth Challenge Program
- Neighborhood Networks
- Passport in Time
- Preserve America Stewards
- Promise Neighborhoods
- YouthBuild
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings
Graduates of Youth Program Management and Evaluation can expect job titles and median salaries similar to the following:
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings for Youth Program Management and Evaluation Students
Target Occupation
National Median Salary (USD)
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$53,934
Social and Human Service Assistants
$41,413
Social and Community Service Managers
$77,022
Farm and Home Management Educators
$59,758
Disclaimer: Salary data is sourced from © 2025 Lightcast, based on information from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Please note that this information is intended solely for reference purposes. MSU Online disclaims any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the data.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi
Director of IDEA's graduate programs
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi is the Graduate Director for IDEA's graduate programs in Youth Development and Family Community Services. Dr. Kiuchi teaches various undergraduate and graduate classes online and offline. He has authored, co-authored, and edited ten books both in English and Japanese.
Course Information
Core
HDFS 860/YD 823 - Youth Policy (3 Credits)
HDFS 864 - Foundations of Youth Development (1 Credit)
HDFS 892 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Youth, Families & Technology (2 Credits)
HDFS 892 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Youth, Sport and Society (3 Credits)
YD 800 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Understanding Normative Behavior in Immigrant and Minority Youth. (3 Credits)
YD 800 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Working with Adolescents with Difficulties (3 Credits)
YD 806 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Mental Health (3 Credits)
YD 820 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Grant Development and Management (3 Credits)
YD 826 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy & Parenthood (3 Credits)
Elective
YD 804 - Program Design Evaluation and Implementation (3 Credits)
YD 807 - Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research (3 Credits)
YD 808 - Administration and Program Management (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience
Résume - Taken the GRE
- Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- 3 letters of recommendation
All applicants should include at least one academic reference. Please ask former professors, work supervisors, or others who can best assess your academic experience and potential. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Send all official transcripts to Michigan State University.
- You must also complete a department application form
GRE scores are not required if you are a U.S. resident applying to the Masters Plan B (professional track) program. International applicants must submit GRE scores for the Plan A and Plan B Masters Program. Send the GRE scores directly to the University. The code for Michigan State University is 1465. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the last 2 years. The code for Michigan State University is 1465.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
February 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$610
$610
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The IDEA youth development program has its roots in Positive Youth Development Rather than focusing solely on corrective measures, a Positive Youth Development approach equips young people in the second decade of life with the skills and opportunities necessary for a successful transition into adulthood. This Michigan State University youth program management program approach promotes positive outcomes for all youth by recognizing their strengths, fostering positive relationships, and providing youth with opportunities to learn, lead, connect, and serve.
Program Outcomes
In this online graduate certificate program you will learn:
- To interact effectively and positively with youth to promote supportive relationships, youth engagement, and youth leadership.
- To navigate the multiple systems (e.g., family, school, community, policy) that influence youths lives, to appreciate the diversity of these systems, and to engage with these systems to promote positive youth development.
- To design, manage, implement, and evaluate programs to enhance and support positive outcomes for youth.
- To understand theory, research, and policy about youth and youth programming and to use this research-based knowledge in a variety of ways (e.g., funding proposals, program design, policy/advocacy efforts, etc).
Career Outlook
When youth development professionals take part in higher education and ongoing learning, research shows that youth program quality improves. In this youth management certificate program, you will learn to use more effective practices and feel more confident about your work, all of which will benefit youth.
Our graduates work with various youth-serving organizations:
- Boys and Girls Club
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
- Cooperative Extension services, 4-H programs
- Missouri State Correctional Office
- Girls, Inc.
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- Administration for Native Americans
- AmeriCorps
- Family and Youth Services Bureau
- Federal Youth Court Program
- Learn and Serve America
- National Guard Youth Challenge Program
- Neighborhood Networks
- Passport in Time
- Preserve America Stewards
- Promise Neighborhoods
- YouthBuild
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings
Graduates of Youth Program Management and Evaluation can expect job titles and median salaries similar to the following:
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings for Youth Program Management and Evaluation Students
Target Occupation
National Median Salary (USD)
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$53,934
Social and Human Service Assistants
$41,413
Social and Community Service Managers
$77,022
Farm and Home Management Educators
$59,758
Disclaimer: Salary data is sourced from © 2025 Lightcast, based on information from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Please note that this information is intended solely for reference purposes. MSU Online disclaims any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the data.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi
Director of IDEA's graduate programs
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi is the Graduate Director for IDEA's graduate programs in Youth Development and Family Community Services. Dr. Kiuchi teaches various undergraduate and graduate classes online and offline. He has authored, co-authored, and edited ten books both in English and Japanese.
Course Information
Core
HDFS 860/YD 823 - Youth Policy (3 Credits)
HDFS 864 - Foundations of Youth Development (1 Credit)
HDFS 892 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Youth, Families & Technology (2 Credits)
HDFS 892 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Youth, Sport and Society (3 Credits)
YD 800 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Understanding Normative Behavior in Immigrant and Minority Youth. (3 Credits)
YD 800 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Working with Adolescents with Difficulties (3 Credits)
YD 806 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Mental Health (3 Credits)
YD 820 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Grant Development and Management (3 Credits)
YD 826 - Contemporary Youth Issues: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy & Parenthood (3 Credits)
Elective
YD 804 - Program Design Evaluation and Implementation (3 Credits)
YD 807 - Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research (3 Credits)
YD 808 - Administration and Program Management (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience
Résume - Taken the GRE
- Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- 3 letters of recommendation
All applicants should include at least one academic reference. Please ask former professors, work supervisors, or others who can best assess your academic experience and potential. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them. - Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Send all official transcripts to Michigan State University.
- You must also complete a department application form
GRE scores are not required if you are a U.S. resident applying to the Masters Plan B (professional track) program. International applicants must submit GRE scores for the Plan A and Plan B Masters Program. Send the GRE scores directly to the University. The code for Michigan State University is 1465. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the last 2 years. The code for Michigan State University is 1465.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
February 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$610
$610
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
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MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
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