About Child Development: Youth Worker

The Youth Worker Certificate is designed to prepare you for pursuing careers with older children and youth in a variety of settings.

Content includes youth development principles relevant to working in group or in one-on-one settings with older children and youth. You can also pursue transfer opportunities in recreation, child and adolescent development, social work, teaching, health education and other related fields.

Explore Potential Careers

Obtaining a in Youth Worker Certificate of Achievement can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths, including:

  • Serving agencies
  • Case management
  • Youth recreation and educational school-based programs

After additional study, students can enter program administration, TK-12 teaching, school administration, extended learning, family support, school-based counseling, youth development and leadership opportunities within the field. Many opportunities are available in this area.

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3
CDEV 78 Supervised Field Experience in Community Youth Organizations 3
CDEV 79 Youth Program Development 3
HLTH 65 Youth Development & Leadership 3

Total Units: 12

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 53 or 97 Child Growth and Development or School Age Growth & Development 3
3 units of electives See Catalog 3
6 units of electives See Catalog 6

Total Units: 12

Transfer Options

All area CSU's and private institutions provide transfer continuity. SFSU specifically offers a variety of emphasis areas within the Child and Adolescent Development Dept. for those interested in pursuing careers with children and youth. Future teachers also can major in Liberal Studies, Ethnic Studies and subject area content. Youth Workers can additionally transfer to the above majors and recreation, psychology, etc.

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.