Encouraging children and teens to thrive in positive, healthy, and safe environments is the focus of community youth development — and as graduates can attest, a rewarding profession.
Nazareth is the only college that offers this program within 120 miles of Rochester.
Learn what it takes to engage youth in opportunities that foster the knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes to be active, engaged citizens for life.
Studying social work, psychology, education, management, and sociology provide an interdisciplinary perspective on the cultural, political, and sociological issues that influence outcomes, while internships provide opportunities to apply theory to the real world.
Learn about degrees. See student, faculty, and alumni experiences »
Education: B.A., Nazareth College; M.S., M.S.W., and Ph.D., Syracuse University (Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Child and Family Studies), L.M.S.W.
Marie has over two decades of community-based experience as a youth worker, group worker, family therapist, and not-for-profit agency administrator. She has also published journal articles and book chapters about youth work and the principles of youth development.
"I yearned to work with youth and to serve others. I chose community youth development because it addresses both and it combines aspects of social work, women and gender studies, psychology, and education. Service-learning and hands-on internships — through Nazareth’s Partners for Learning at Hope Hall School and at Center for Youth at Enrico Fermi Community School 17 — gave me completely different experiences, which allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and learn what environments I worked best within. When I applied for jobs, my CYD knowledge and experience stood out, including my concentration in youth service administration and 2 years’ experience working with youth. I was a Nazareth basketball player and always knew I wanted to continue that passion through coaching after I was done playing. I strongly take on the CYD motto 'fun with a purpose' every day through my coaching."
— Ronnie Peck ‘16, head women’s basketball coach, Five Towns College, Dix Hills, NY