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.
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
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: The program links below will take you to Student Services.
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.
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 value of non-formal teaching and learning that
often occurs beyond the walls of schools and traditional educational
settings. 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.
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.
Lisa Kimball I am passionate about understanding youth and youth
work in cultural contexts, and youth development through
the lenses of multiple academic disciplines. My research
and teaching interests include the role of spirituality
in young people's lives, experiential learning, and
participatory program evaluation.
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.
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
Jerry Stein — School of Social Work
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.
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.
