Family, youth, and community
Family education and youth development leadership, two long-standing educational traditions at the University of Minnesota, have joined to create family, youth, and community (FYC). FYC is a newly formed field of study in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction where students will find familiar programs as well as discover new opportunities for shaping innovative degree programs. Family educators, researchers, youth workers, teachers, organizational heads, administrators, and community leaders will find multiple avenues in FYC for pursuing their interests in graduate-level study and research.
“There are only two contexts in which young people, communities, and families exist in isolation from one another—politics and academia. FYC bridges those artificial divides.”
— Ph.D. student
In FYC we prepare educators who:
- ground themselves in research as a basis for reflecting critically about their field of study;
- conduct research to advance teaching and learning in youth programs, school settings, and community contexts;
- develop a personal ethos of family, youth, and community teaching and learning;
- strive to make changes in their professional practice that advance the well-being and development of families, young people, and communities; and
- establish educational environments that enable their students and others to think critically and reflectively.
Degree program information
Family, youth, and community
Ph.D.: for experienced professionals who want to develop advanced research, knowledge, and leadership skills in their chosen field
M.A.: a research-based masters degree for individuals who want to develop research and teaching skills, and advanced knowledge in their chosen field
Family education
Parent and family education licensure program — available for those who wish to teach in and lead parent education programs in a variety of school and community settings. In Minnesota, the parent education licensure is required for those teaching in early childhood and family education (ECFE) programs. Though not required for licensure, students may choose to combine this program with an M.Ed. in family education (download sample combined M.Ed.-licensure planning form [pdf]), or an M.A. or Ph.D. degree program in FYC.
NOTE: Clicking the M.Ed. links below leave FYC's pages and go to CEHD Student Services Web pages.
M.Ed. in family education: family and consumer sciences license — a graduate-level program that prepares professionals to teach family and consumer sciences (FACS) in grades 5-12. Following a cohort model, students can complete their degree and teaching licensure in 12-15 months. A program highlight is the opportunity students are given to participate in year-long school-based teaching activities.
M.Ed. in family education: professional studies — available to those who are already licensed teachers or to those in educational roles who wish to enhance their professional skills and understandings. Many individuals choose to combine this M.Ed. degree program with a teaching license in parent education (download sample M.Ed. and parent education licensure planning form [pdf].
M.Ed. Student resources
M.Ed.
Handbook [pdf]
M.Ed. professional studies program form [writeable pdf]
Guidelines for selecting courses for the M.Ed. professional
studies degree [pdf]
Description of the oral examination requirement for the
M.Ed. professional studies degree
Application for degree form [.pdf]
Certificate in parent education— an online post-baccalaureate program designed for those who wish to teach in and lead parent education programs in a variety of school and community settings that do not require a Minnesota teaching license.
Youth
Youth development leadership (YDL) — an M.Ed. program that prepares practicing youth development professionals for leadership roles in their organizations and communities, for leadership in policy formulation and advocacy, and for teaching roles in higher education. The youth development leadership program utilizes a cohort model that builds collegial relationships across many areas of youth development work in the community.
Community
Certificate in community and learning — available to individuals who embrace the development of a culture of teaching and learning in non-formal educational settings that reach into and beyond the walls of schools and traditional classrooms. This program will be of interest to those professionals who work with children, youth, and/or adult learners, in settings such as community agencies, non-profit organizations, service-learning programs, community development programs, and faith-based settings.
Faculty
- Betty Cooke
In my position at the University I currently teach courses in the parent education licensure program and coordinate development and preparation of these parent education courses for online delivery. - Lynn Englund
I am interested in adapting the residential democratic education strategies of Highlander Folk School in the U.S. and the Folk High Schools of Denmark for their use with families, youths, and communities. - Yvonne
S. Gentzler
I teach courses in our family and consumer sciences (FACS) teacher licensure program. My research focuses on issues related to the qualities central to the development of professionals including such topics as identification and selection of major, mentoring, and leadership. - Amy Jo Lundell
I am an alumni of the University of Minnesota family and consumer sciences initial license program and former family and consumer science teacher with special interest in family education. - Jane Plihal
I have taught courses in our family and consumer sciences teacher licensure program as well as courses on interpretive research methodology. My recent research has used a phenomenological approach to studying a variety of topics related to education. I now advise advanced doctoral students, but am not accepting additional advisees. -
Jerome (Jerry) Stein
My research interests are in democratic learning communities; community building; history and philosophy of youth work; philosophy and politics of community-based learning; ecologies of education (non school-based learning); cultures of learning. - Ruth G.
Thomas
My research interests concern cognitive theory-based instructional design, curriculum and program development, and family and parent education. Currently, I serve as department chair for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. - Joyce A. Walker
My work at the University of Minnesota has always been divided between educational outreach to community-based youth development programs and campus-based teaching in youth work, non-formal education, and adult education. - Susan K.
Walker
I teach courses in parent education and in family, youth, and community. My research interests include the use of technology in parent education, and intersections between parenting and early education, and between formal and informal parent education.
Affiliate graduate faculty
-
Ross Velure Roholt — School of Social Work
Community-based models for youth participation and youth development; youthwork practices to enhance community-based models of youth participation and youth development.
For more information about FYC programs:
- M.A. and Ph.D. programs in FYC
Susan Walker
skwalker@umn.edu - Parent and family education licensure
Heather Cline
cline048@umn.edu
- M.Ed./initial licensure in family education
(licensure for teaching family and consumer sciences (FACS), grades 5-12)
Amy Jo Lundell
lunde037@umn.edu - M.Ed./professional studies program in family
education
(masters program for family education professionals)
Michelle McElroy
wort0005@umn.edu - M.Ed./professional studies program in youth development
leadership
Jerry Stein
stein035@umn.edu - Certificate in community and learning
Lynn Englund
engl8813@umn.edu - Certificate in parent education
Heather Cline
cline048@umn.edu
See also:
- Choosing a degree in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Frequently asked questions about parent and family education programs
- Courses in family, youth, and community
- Learning to teach: Teacher education programs
- Profiles of M.Ed. students
- Tuition and fees
- Bridging FYC blog
- Family education alumni
