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
- City of Rochester's Bureau of Recreation
- Charles Settlement House
- Industry School and Residential Center
- Community Place of Greater Rochester
- Boys and Girls Club of Rochester
- Ibero American Action League
- YMCA of Greater Rochester
- Center for Youth
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 »
Become a Teacher
Some students enrolled in the community youth development major choose to pursue New York State Teacher Certification at the elementary level. Nazareth CYD students develop essential skills to encourage children and teens to thrive in positive, healthy, and safe environments. Our graduates are well-rounded and have the exceptional skills, creativity, and flexibility required to face the challenges of the classroom in the 21st century.
Program Director
Alumni Spotlight
Ronnie Peck '16, head women’s basketball coach, Five Towns College, Dix Hills, NY
"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."