Community Youth Development
Bachelor of Arts
Learn to guide children and teens to thrive.
Nazareth is the only place that offers this program within 120 miles of Rochester. You’ll study social work, psychology, education, management, and sociology to gain interdisciplinary perspectives on the cultural, political, and sociological issues that influence youth outcomes. Understand child and youth development and learn to mentor, coach, and engage young people in positive opportunities that foster the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be active, engaged citizens for life.
Highlights
Hands-on experiences with Naz partners are embedded into courses
Prepare for credentialing as a director and worker for after-school programs
Small classes provide personal attention from faculty with ongoing community youth experience
Double major with sociology, psychology, social work, education, or another program
Career Paths
- Child life specialist
- Youth advocate
- Recreation center staff
- AfterSchool Works! New York program director
- Youth services provider
- Coach
- Probation officer
- Social worker
- Mental health service provider
- School counselor
- Teacher
Internships & Field Experiences
- Boys and Girls Club of Rochester
- Cameron Community Ministries
- Center for Youth Services, Inc.
- City of Rochester Recreation & Human Services
- Charles Settlement House
- Community Place of Greater Rochester
- Encompass Resources for Learning, Inc.
- Industry School and Residential Center
- Partners in Restorative Initiatives
- Rochester City School District Schools No. 4 (George Mather Forbes School), 9 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School), 19 (Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School), and 53 (Montessori Academy School)
- YMCA of Greater Rochester
99%
of new Nazareth grads are employed or in grad school within six months of graduation
1,631
high-impact experiential learning experiences completed by the undergraduate class of 2024
$4,000
Our SPARK Grant provides up to $4,000 for you to pursue internships, research, and study abroad. SPARK details »
Want to teach?
For elementary school (birth to grade 6): You can double major in community youth development and in inclusive early childhood/childhood education, for a curriculum that includes both community youth development and teaching younger children, preparing you to get teaching certification.
Program Director
Alumni Spotlight
“The CYD program acts as a toolkit of powerful skills that are transferable to any career involving young people and the systems that impact them. I am currently working as an elementary teacher and my CYD experiences play a critical role in the work that I do every day. Some of the key principles from this program that I lean on daily in my job are the importance of empowering young people, encouraging independence, fostering meaningful relationships, nurturing mental and emotional well being, the power in youth voice and choice, honoring a strength-based, whole-child approach, and much more.
“The standout feature of CYD at Nazareth is its social-justice-centered approach that shines through in every course. The foundational CYD principles are always at the center of your learning, making for a deep understanding and appreciation of what it means to positively support young people.
“One highlight about the Naz program are the opportunities that the City of Rochester presents for gaining hands-on experiences in incredibly successful youth programs. You will also partner with youth to create and share meaningful, self-driven projects. Amazing things happen when youth are given the platform and the resources to be heard. The Naz CYD program equips you with the professional learning and hands-on experiences to believe that statement with your whole heart and to best support the young people all around you!”
— Ella Kules ’25, an elementary school teacher who’s also pursuing a master’s in inclusive education