Major in Groupwork-Youth Development Programming and Management

Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies
Admission Requirements
This degree is intended for students who are employed in the youth development field and who, in most cases, will have completed some college-level coursework. It provides students with preparation in a number of key areas essential to effective practice as a program developer/manager in youth development agencies. Admission to the program is open to students who meet the following requirements:

• hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
• have a transfer grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for any previous college work
• are currently employed in youth development; with the approval of the admissions committee, employment in a closely related field, or a combination of employment and volunteer service, may be substituted for this requirement
• provide evidence of aspiring to educational goals that can be achieved through this program, and of the necessary commitment to address the demands of the program (interview with program faculty, personal essay, or letters of reference)
• demonstrate appropriate skills in English composition and math as determined by proficiency exams or other measures approved by the GroupWork Program Committee of the faculty.

Coursework Requirements
1. Core Courses: All students must complete GPM305 Contemporary Issues in Youth Development and GPM499 Professional Youth Development Practice. Transfer work may be substituted for up to three of the remaining core courses if approved by the program committee as part of the student's academic program.

GPM305 Contemporary Issues in Youth Development*
GPM320 GroupWork
GPM340 Youth Development
GPM360 Activities for Youth Development
GPM380 Effective Not-for-Profit Management
GPM400 Financial and Quantitative Basis of Management
GPM420 The Community Environment
GPM440 Effective Organizational and Managerial Communication
GPM460 Diversity and Special Populations
GPM475 Practicum in Youth Development Program and Management
GPM480 Youth Programming and Supervision
GPM499 Professional Youth Development Practice

*For cohorts of students from a single agency, this course may include units specific to the philosophy, mission, and practice of that agency; for example, an employee cohort from YMCA of the USA may complete the "YMCA Principles and Practices" course as delivered under the auspices of Aurora University.

3. Electives in the Major: In addition to the core courses: students complete at least 12 semester hours of approved major electives, distributed as follows:

• at least 3 semester hours of coursework providing skills in specific areas of human service programming
• at least 3 semester hours of coursework related to issues of management, finance, or funding of youth development organizations
• at least 3 semester hours of coursework related to issues of human development, diversity, or community organization issues
• not more than 3 semester hours of other approved elective coursework related to the youth development field, but not specifically falling within the three categories above

Elective courses in the major may include courses offered by Aurora University, assessed prior learning, approved transfer courses from other accredited institutions, approved practicum, and courses offered by cooperating agencies that have entered into formal agreements with Aurora University for the crediting of in-service offerings.

4. General Degree Requirements: All students must present evidence of meeting the General Education competencies encompassed by the Nine Domains of General Education at Aurora University. Students are expected to present a minimum of 45 semester hours of college-level credit in support of their learning in these domains. This may include Aurora University coursework, transfer work, credit for prior learning, and examination credit. All students must complete the following general education requirements:

• A two-term (6 semester hour) sequence in English Composition
• At least 3 semester hours of additional coursework in applied communication areas (examples: Public Speaking, Technical or Business Communication, Advanced Composition)
• At least 12 semester hours in humanities, from at least two distinct disciplines
• At least 12 semester hours in social/behavioral sciences from at least two distinct disciplines
• At least 12 semester hours in natural science/mathematics, including math at least at the level of College Algebra

As part of the requirements of GPM499, students complete a professional graduation portfolio, which includes demonstrating their grasp of the Nine Domains of General Education at Aurora University in the context of their major coursework and in relation to their personal and professional goals.

5. Course and Program Format: Each core course incorporates one or more assignments that provide an opportunity for students to apply the learning of the course to a project in the workplace. Students are expected to incorporate final reports or other products from these projects in their graduation portfolios.

Elective courses are in some cases developed by participating agencies with University approval. Students register through the University for these courses, which may be taught on-site at a participating agency.

Practicum may be used to meet elective requirements, with the prior approval of the program committee. If elected by the student, practicum can usually be completed in the agency where the student is employed. Work assignments in connection with practicum must provide opportunities for new learning appropriate to the degree outcomes and the student's educational and professional goals.

Professional Competencies Requirement

All GroupWork graduates are required to demonstrate competence in several areas considered essential for effective performance in the field.

1. First aid/CPR training
2. Computer skills
3. Writing skills (required prior to enrollment in GPM300)
4. Math proficiency (required prior to enrollment in GPM380)

These competencies may be demonstrated by presentation of coursework or through various demonstrations of competence or certification as approved by the program faculty.