Children, Youth and Families ConcentrationIn the Children, Youth and Families (CYF) concentration, students develop an understanding of how multiple systems impact child development and family functioning over time. Utilizing evidence-based decision making, students learn to identify and apply sound approaches that bring positive change at the individual, family, agency, community or policy levels. The flexibility of the Children, Youth and Families curriculum allows students to focus on their particular area of interest. Students are prepared for a broad range of career paths in areas including direct practice, community development, policy, advocacy, research and evaluation or leadership roles within publicly funded or nonprofit agencies. Working adults who need flexible scheduling may decide to pursue a Part-Time MSW with this concentration. Learn more about the curriculum structure and application process. Concentration Requirements: 21 Credits Theoretical and Empirical Basis for Practice with Children, Youth and Families (3 credits) Policy and Services for Children and Youth (3 credits) Nine credits of practice-focused coursework Management & Leadership of Organizations (3 credits) Social Policy Analysis & Evaluation (3 credits) or Evaluation of Programs and Services (3 credits) You will also have 9 elective credits, which can be used to broaden expertise in other areas or to pursue additional CYF-related electives. Concentration Practicum The MSW program requires 600 hours of concentration practicum (in addition to 360 hours of foundation practicum). The concentration practicum must take place in an agency that serves children, youth and/or families. Sample CYF practicum sites include: Annie Malone Children & Family Services Better Family Life Boys Hope Girls Hope Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis City Academy East Side Aligned East St. Louis School District 189 Equal Shares Parenting Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Maplewood Richmond Heights School District Parents as Teachers Positive Impacts Unleashing Potential Youth in Need Concentration ChairBrett Drake began his social work career as an investigative worker in Child Protective Services. For the past 30 years, he has conducted epidemiological and service research in the areas of child welfare, poverty and racial disproportionality. Drake’s current research analyzes census and child protective data to assess the efficacy of protective and preventative services. Featured Graduate“The Children, Youth and Families concentration has given me the tools I needed to be successful. After graduating I moved to India to start my dream organization, Foster Care India. Fom there, I moved to global child welfare advocacy work. Every day I use skills learned at the Brown School to bridge policy to practice and see healing for our communities.”—Ian Anand Forber-Pratt, MSW’11 CEO, Institute for Child Welfare Innovation; Director of Global Advocacy, Children’s Emergency Relief International
Children, Youth and Families ConcentrationIn the Children, Youth and Families (CYF) concentration, students develop an understanding of how multiple systems impact child development and family functioning over time. Utilizing evidence-based decision making, students learn to identify and apply sound approaches that bring positive change at the individual, family, agency, community or policy levels. The flexibility of the Children, Youth and Families curriculum allows students to focus on their particular area of interest. Students are prepared for a broad range of career paths in areas including direct practice, community development, policy, advocacy, research and evaluation or leadership roles within publicly funded or nonprofit agencies. Working adults who need flexible scheduling may decide to pursue a Part-Time MSW with this concentration. Learn more about the curriculum structure and application process.
Concentration Requirements: 21 Credits Theoretical and Empirical Basis for Practice with Children, Youth and Families (3 credits) Policy and Services for Children and Youth (3 credits) Nine credits of practice-focused coursework Management & Leadership of Organizations (3 credits) Social Policy Analysis & Evaluation (3 credits) or Evaluation of Programs and Services (3 credits) You will also have 9 elective credits, which can be used to broaden expertise in other areas or to pursue additional CYF-related electives. Concentration Practicum The MSW program requires 600 hours of concentration practicum (in addition to 360 hours of foundation practicum). The concentration practicum must take place in an agency that serves children, youth and/or families. Sample CYF practicum sites include: Annie Malone Children & Family Services Better Family Life Boys Hope Girls Hope Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis City Academy East Side Aligned East St. Louis School District 189 Equal Shares Parenting Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Maplewood Richmond Heights School District Parents as Teachers Positive Impacts Unleashing Potential Youth in Need