Start your journey
Earn an undergraduate degree that prepares you to work with youth
In the youth studies undergraduate program at the School of Social Work, we teach beyond the classroom—ensuring that the facts, frameworks, and ideas that we present are learned by our students in a way that allows them to practice what we teach.
If you are a current UMN undergraduate or an incoming first year student and want to declare a major in youth studies, visit the Office of Admissions for complete instructions, or contact an advisor at cehdinfo@umn.edu or call 612-625-3339.
- Get started at the College of Education and Human Development’s (CEHD) Transfer Admissions site.
- If you need to know how your credits will transfer, the UMN Office of Admissions has resources for all transfer students.
Are you a current CEHD student who is ready to declare your major? Follow these steps.
Note: To earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in Youth Studies, undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Minnesota must complete YOST 1001 - Seeing Youth, Thinking Youth: Media, Popular Media, and Scholarship (3 Cr.) Civic Life and Ethics, Online may be available.
Careers
Youth workers are in high demand and have plenty of growth and leadership opportunities. List below are common jobs, as categorized by O*Net. We also suggest searching on the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Job Board and typing in “youth” for a broader picture of youth work opportunities.
Coursework
Earning an undergraduate career is more than passing classes and getting good grades. You're also learning the skills you will need in the workplace as a professional. In the youth studies BS program, you will:
- Learn the history of how youth are treated in society, and what this means for their learning and growth
- Develop skills to keep young people engaged with learning programs
- Understand appropriate boundaries, and how to connect youth with help in a crisis
- Build a firm foundation for interpersonal communication and youth development
- Master skills and gain insights that will benefit careers in both education and social work
What would your class schedule be like if you were a youth studies major?
See a sample academic plan for the Bachelor of Science in youth studies.
*Note: This plan is an example only. You’ll work with your advisor to develop a course schedule specific to your needs
Students complete 60 credits within the major. Highlights include:
- YOST 1001 - Seeing Youth, Thinking Youth: Media, Popular Media, and Scholarship
- YOST 2241 - Experiential Learning
- YOST 3101 - Youthwork: Orientations and Approaches
- YOST 4196 - Internship in Youth Studies
In addition to Youth Studies major requirements, all UMN students fulfill liberal education requirements that invite you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner.
See the common content liberal reducation equirements for undergraduate degrees.
The Youth Studies degree is also a pathway to becoming a licensed 5-12 Social Studies teacher through the DirecTrack to Teaching program.
For questions please contact Jehanne Beaton, DirecTrack to Education Coordinator or Rae Dillon, Youth Studies Academic Advisor.
Tuition and funding
The Youth Studies Undergraduate major requires 120 credits to graduate.
The minimum number of program credits to graduate is 60 credits.
For the most current cost per credit for undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, we well as information about fees and cost of attendance, visit OneStop Services, Twin Cities.
Scholarships and awards
Undergraduates pursuing a Youth Studies Major can find academic scholarships available to all University students, as well as scholarships specific to the College of Education and Human Development.
CEHD scholarships and SSW scholarships are also available for eligible students.
Grants for eligible, enrolled students
Find information on federal, state and University grants available to undergraduates on Twin Cities One Stop Student Services
Financial aid
The University of Minnesota offers financial aid packages to undergraduate students. See information about financial aid, including how to apply, on the OneStop Student Services website.
Quote from Chufue Lo, BS in Youth Studies '26
Being a part of social work and youth studies has really shifted my perspective from viewing things in a deficit based lens, where I was constantly asking "What's missing?" or "What don't they have?", and now view things in an asset based lens where I'm able to work with young people and they're able to brainstorm ideas on how they can support their communities.
