Youth & Social Innovation: B.S.Ed. - Bachelor of Science in Education
Interested in an exciting career working with or on behalf of youth? The Youth and Social Innovation major is designed for undergraduate students who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of youth.
At a Glance
Program Results
B.S.Ed. - Bachelor of Science in Education
Youth & Social Innovation
Career Outcomes
Graduates have obtained jobs and pursued post-graduate degrees in: Education and Youth Development (teaching, college student affairs, intercollegiate athletics); Human Services (counseling, social work, clinical/school psychology, public health, medicine); Public Policy, Advocacy & Law (education policy, youth policy); and Business, Management & Communications (social entrepreneurship, educational technology).
Best Suited To
- Current UVA undergraduates seeking to declare a major
- Transfer students from other institutions
Program Type
- Full Time
Location
- In-Person
Estimated Length
4 years (or 2 academic years after admission into the program)
Application Deadline
- Current UVA undergraduates: Feb. 1
- Students transferring from another institution: Mar. 1
Credits
120
About This Program
The Youth & Social Innovation (YSI) curriculum is built around three core areas:
- Youth Development (primarily ages eight to 25 years, but also younger children): understanding dynamic processes of biological, social, emotional, and cognitive development, with a focus on how youths’ assets and school/community settings influence youth outcomes
- Social Innovation: enhancing youth development through systematic approaches to developing and refining youth experiences or programs, with attention to what works for different youth in diverse settings and contexts
- Policy: understanding how regulations and rules that affect schools and organizations serving youth are developed, and understanding the effects of those policies on youth outcomes
- Experiential learning is a key component of the major. Our students work with youth in the community, join faculty-led research, and design innovations addressing issues youth face.
- Throughout your time in YSI, you will be assigned readings or engage in discussions about these topics. We encourage your thoughtful participation in our classes, throughout the School of Education and Human Development, and across UVA.
- You are invited to apply to the YSI Major as a first or second year. Our application deadline is February 1 for current UVA undergraduates, and March 1 if you are transferring from another institution.
- The YSI Major can be completed in your third and fourth years, even if you have not taken any YSI courses in your first or second year. However, we encourage you to enroll in at least one YSI course to help you determine if the YSI Major is the right one for you.
Social Justice Statement
One of the Youth and Social Innovation program’s core values is social justice. YSI faculty believe in the value of all people along with the critical analysis of oppressive forces and structures in society such as racism, sexism, misogyny, queerphobia, ableism, and religious intolerance. Throughout your time in YSI, you will be assigned readings or engage in discussions about these topics. We encourage your thoughtful participation in our classes, throughout the School of Education and Human Development, and across UVA.
Within the School of Education and Human Development, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Diversity Action Committee (DAC); and SEEDS4Change are three entities that consistently address these kinds of issues in our school and work towards social justice. If you are interested in actively participating in equity and social justice efforts we encourage you to become involved with one or more of these entities or to work with other organizations across grounds with a similar focus. If you are interested in creating a YSI initiative, let us know how we may support you.
