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We offer globally-accredited degrees and courses taught by the region’s finest academics in world-class facilities.
Our aim is to provide you with a learning environment in which you can strengthen your skills as a self-directed learner and enhance your capacity to interact and collaborate with your peers, share experiences, challenge accepted ideas and build new knowledge.
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Introduction
Youth development is being given greater international priority in recognition of the significant role that young people currently play, and will continue to play in the achievement of national, regional and international development goals. Major international meetings now create spaces for young people to participate in decision-making and for devising strategies to resolve the challenges which young people face.
The recognition of youth as key partners in development, acknowledges, on the one hand, the right of young people to participate and, on the other hand, the responsibility of societies to ensure the complete development and empowerment of youth so that, as future leaders, they can dedicate themselves to pursuing the political, cultural and socio-economic advancement of their societies.
By combining distinctive elements of Youth Development Work with that of Management Studies students will be given the option of pursuing a programme which will prepare them for their intended career path and also cater to their personal interests.
Who is this programme for?
Individual with an interest in pursuing careers within the various institutions that support the development of our region’s youth. Prospective applicants include:
- youth workers and volunteers who do not have formal qualification in youth development work but desire to pursue it as a profession
- persons who are interested in enhancing and strengthening their competencies in order to engage in support work for youth development in their places of employment, or as volunteers in social and civic organizations and institutions e.g. schools, churches, places of safety, children homes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), first line supervisors and trainers in government ministries and agencies, private sector entities
Careers path for persons pursuing the programme: Government or public service
- Civil service including policing and teaching
- Community development
- Youth camp coordination and management
- Youth organization coordination and management
- Policy development and advice
- Project and programme planning
- Project and programme management and evaluation
- Research
Programme Structure
This BSc in Youth Development Work with Minor in Management Studies is designed to offer prospective students a rich theoretical and practical experience in youth development work, as well as developing and strengthening their management capabilities and competencies.
The structure of the BSc Youth Development Work with Minor in Management Studies reflects progression of intellectual growth and promotes student success. The courses at Level 1 are foundation and introductory level courses. Levels II and III of the programme comprise the courses offered in the Youth Development Work (Major), the Management Studies (Minor), and the Free Electives. All courses in this proposed structure are drawn from the Open Campus’ existing undergraduate programmes in Youth Development Work and Management Studies in particular, as well as from the Sociology and Psychology programmes for the Free Electives.
This degree category comprises Major (30 credits); Minor (15 credits); and Free Electives (15 credits).
When will the programme start?
The programme is offered in August of each Academic Year. Students may complete the degree full time in a minimum of three academic years (over six semesters). Students, however, may pursue the programme part-time according to their capacity to manage their academic and professional responsibilities.
Entry Requirements
New entrants must meet the University’s normal matriculation requirements in order to be accepted into the programme.
New entrants must meet the University’s normal matriculation requirements in order to be accepted into the programme. They must satisfy the requirements in either (a) or (b) or (c) or (d) below:
(a) Entrants with CXC-CSEC and GCE qualifications having:
- An acceptable pass in CXC-CSEC Mathematics or its equivalent; AND
- An acceptable pass in CXC-CSEC English A; AND
- One of the following minimum qualifications:
o either five subjects (at least two GCE ‘A’ Level or CAPE) and the remainder acceptable passes in CXC-CSEC or GCE ‘O’ Level; OR
o four subjects (at least three GCE ‘A’ Level or CAPE) and the fourth an acceptable pass in the CXC-CSEC or GCE ‘O’ Level - Grade requirements for CXC/CSEC subjects are General Proficiency, Grades I or II pre‐1998 and Grades I, II, or III from June 1998.
(b) Holders of five (5) CXC-CSEC or GCE ‘O’ Level passes or equivalent, not necessarily obtained at the same sitting.
English Language Proficiency Examination
Entrants may be required to take The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT). This test is used to assess whether persons applying to pursue undergraduate degree programmes at the UWI Open Campus possess a satisfactory level of writing and reading proficiency in English for university academic purposes.
Academic Preparation
The following courses do not provide credits for your programme of study but will give you the added benefit of preparing for your academic studies at the UWI Open Campus:
OOL1001 Orientation to Online Learning
IYMS1001 Improving your Math Skills (if applicable)
Course of Study
This course introduces students to the basic tools and concepts of economics. Students will be exposed to the core principles of economics: the role of incentives; the idea of scarcity; how to measure the cost of a choice; what is a market; and the purpose of prices. Students will be introduced to the toolkit of methods used by economists. At the end of this course students should be able to engage the core principles of the methodology of economics in everyday use.
This is a cross-disciplinary course. It is designed to provide a firm base for Communication courses and for courses in English for Special Purposes linked with specific disciplines. It helps students to achieve the level of competence in written language that is required of the university student in undergraduate programmes. Course content includes Language in the Caribbean, Summarizing, the Formal Essay and Methods of Organising Information.
The course is designed to introduce learners to the major aspects of management principles. It will expose them to the corpus of knowledge required to assist an organisation to achieve its objectives. It provides important information intended to expose learners to the intricacies of managing enterprises - be these private or public, corporate or small business enterprises, and government or nongovernmental organisations.
Exempted if completed ASc. In Social Work
This course will introduce students to classical social theory through an understanding of the work of writers such as Auguste Comte, Max Weber, Karl Marx and George H. Mead. The main focus of this studying is to understand the central ideas of these writers and to reflect on the usefulness of their theory in contemporary Caribbean societies. This reflection will support students’ further investigations of the explanations given for issues on the front line of Caribbean societies’ development agendas. At the same time, students will learn about the central ideas and perspectives of writers such as Edward Kamau Brathwaite, M.G. Smith and George Beckford. The combination of classical and Caribbean schools of social inquiry will set the tone for a synthesizing of perspectives on race, class, gender, ethnicity and the family in society. This process will assist students with developing their theoretical base in social theory, as well as independent thought on happenings in Caribbean society.
This is the first of three core YDEW courses which focus specifically on developing effective and reflective practitioners. It is followed by YDEW2000 in Year 2 and YDEW3000 in Year 3. This course introduces students to the foundations of the profession by exploring the theoretical principles which underpin the concept of youth and youth development work through an exploration of the history of youth development work with special reference to the evolution of practice in the Caribbean. The course will examine definitions and labels attributed to youth including child, youth, juvenile, adolescent and young person and will highlight issues affecting special categories of youth. By engaging in study on the contemporary status of Caribbean YDW, students will understand the significance of professionalisation and competencies, the roles and responsibilities of the youth worker, the dynamics of working with youth individually and in groups, special ethical issues and current institutional values and organisational structures for YDW in the Caribbean. It will introduce students to the rights-based approach to youth development. Students will begin a Learning and Professional Development Journal outlining their professional goals and objectives, which they will use and update as they progress through their programme.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
The course will provide an opportunity for the student youth worker to position young people within Caribbean societal structures and understand the influence of social institutions on youth personal development. Students will engage in critiques of societal views and stereotyping of youth and will critique the development of youth culture and youth sub-cultures vis-à-vis violence, sexuality, technology, music and culture. Students will learn and apply skills in working with youth groups with specific reference to supporting positive identity formation among young people through practical group assignments involving young people who are associated with a diversity of sub-cultures. It will also reinforce the role of rights-based approaches to youth development by helping students understand the principles of human rights, including issues of equality, equity and freedom from discrimination, and apply them to youth development work. Students will engage in debates on issues within the contemporary Caribbean context which impinge on the rights agenda including socio-cultural constructions and responses to race, class, gender and religion.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0614: Design, develop and support the implementation of community youth development programmes
YDWCYP0724: Manage implementation of youth peace building agenda
YDWCYP343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
This course seeks to introduce students to the fundamentals of organisational behaviour and human resource management. The course introduces the students to some of the factors that shape behaviour in organisations, the types of options and strategies managers use to shape behaviour, and the responses of individuals and groups to these strategies. This course also examines the role of the HR professional. Students will learn about the evolution of human resource management with emphasis on the importance of HRM in today’s world.
This course is intended to provide students with a conceptual framework and analytical skills necessary for the analysis of markets and marketing activities of firms in a dynamic environment. It will introduce students to some of the basic concepts and principles of marketing and to some real-world marketing situations. It also takes into consideration the unique business culture of the Caribbean.
This course is the second of the core YDEW courses. It will support students in building competence in reflective practice by helping them to understand the youth sector. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding and working with youth-led organisations and assisting with the personal development of youth leaders. This course requires practical application and students will be asked to develop a mock personal development plan for a young person in need of support in a given area (based on case study provided by instructor). Students will be required to amend and update their Learning and Professional Development Journal by monitoring their own progress towards achievement of YDW competencies through the Level II period of study, and to make notes about the sectors in which they would like to work and plan for the additional skills and competencies required to pursue their career in that area.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0674: Promote a culture of occupational health and safety in youth development work
YDWCYP0323: Assist young people with their personal development plans
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
This course will explore the main debates and issues of concern in Caribbean youth development work. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the complex interrelated themes of development which impinge on youth development and be able to offer a critical analysis of current youth affairs with respect to issues such as: globalisation and migration, the sociology of poverty and socio-economic development (education and unemployment), gender and sexuality, public health, crime, violence and citizen security, environmental protection and sustainable development, and sports and culture. Students will explore youth culture and youth sub-cultures in conducting their analysis of contemporary development issues and will be required to formulate recommendations and strategies to address youth development concerns.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0604: Design, develop and support the implementation of HIV/AIDS, STIs and related programmes
YDWCYP0714: Manage the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth
YDWCYP0724: Manage implementation of youth peace building agenda
YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work
YDWCYP0694: Promote a culture of entrepreneurship among young people
YDWCYP0764: Design, develop and support the implementation of new opportunities for the development of young people
YDWCYP0373: Promote environmental protection and sustainable development
This course will engage students in a study of the significance of a sustainable livelihoods approach to development in issues of socio-economic development for youth. It will explore issues related to building social and human capital for youth and discuss specific strategies for increasing youth employability, employment and entrepreneurship. It will also discuss the role of the business community in youth development through corporate social responsibility programmes. Special emphasis will be placed on promoting a culture of professionalism and entrepreneurship among youth. Student youth workers will also be able to identify business services available to youth in their countries.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills
YDWCYP0694: Promote a culture of entrepreneurship among young people
YDWCYP0744: Design, develop and support the implementation of programmes to enable young people to address their circumstances
YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
This course introduces students to the theories and methods of Participatory Action Research (PAR). Building on skills in social research acquired at Level 1, students will be exposed to techniques utilized when promoting youth involvement in the research process. Researchers using PAR assist in the generation of ideas, information and understanding that will be used to inform social change. Students therefore will pay attention to Models of PAR, Ethical issues related to working with child participants (under 18 years old) and Social Justice (youth with special needs) among other issues pertinent to the PAR research process. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in research design and proposal writing. Students will also examine their acquired skills through the exploration of case study work.
This course exposes students to the actual implementation of a Participatory Action Research (PAR) Project. Building on theoretical knowledge of PAR from Part 1, students will be expected to carry out a PAR Project with youth in an area of interest they have chosen. Student Researchers, with the supervision of the Course Coordinator and the support of a Site Supervisor will co-construct an understanding of an area youth are interested in improving/changing and conduct a PAR Project that will lead to improvements for youth. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in research design, proposal writing and project management through logic models.
Assessment: 100% Continuous Assessment.
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the contemporary project management discipline from a ‘best practice’ perspective, and to enable them to extract from best practices, the specific applications that will enhance the probability of success for Caribbean projects. The types of projects used for illustration purposes will include innovative efforts in renewable energy to the building of complex resort properties to enhance tourism options, as well as, agricultural and other projects which are predominantly located in the Caribbean region.
The course builds on the rights-based approach to youth development through a focus on the tools which can be applied to protecting and supporting the right of youth to participate in decision-making at all levels of society in matters which affect their lives. It will expose students to methods and strategies for assessing the needs and considering the protection of the rights of special vulnerable groups such as indigenous, differently-abled and other minority groups. Students will explore the relative merits, shortcomings and principles of approaches to youth-adult partnerships, youth leadership, mentorship and peer mentorship. Students will explore the principles underpinning advocacy for youth participation and the design of programmes for soliciting youth views on development issues and for youth mentorship.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills
YDWCYP0614: Design, develop and support the implementation of community youth development programmes
YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work
YDWCYP0744: Design, develop and support the implementation of programmes to enable young people to address their circumstances
YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
This course is designed to give you an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects relating to how organizations in the public and private sectors operate in an environment where it is critical to develop and implement strategies in order to gain and or maintain competitive advantage. The course requires also that you reflect on the knowledge gained from previous courses. Some of the major concepts that will be covered include, SWOT analysis, vision and mission, competitive analysis, corporate, competitive and global strategies, value chain analysis, competitive advantage and successful strategy execution, among others.
Credits: 3
This course will introduce students to the role, purpose and principles of advocacy in youth development. Students will learn how to conduct analyses of policies and legislation which address (or do not address) youth issues and to develop an advocacy agenda around gaps and weaknesses in existing frameworks, paying attention to the principles of equality, equity and human rights. Students will learn and apply advocacy skills using verbal and written communication tools in public education and awareness raising, networking and lobbying, paying attention to the differences in types of audience and the varied purposes of advocacy. Special emphasis will be placed on learning how to support youth and build their capacity to advocate for themselves and for others.
The course requires practical application of skills to the legislative and policy arenas. Having explored legislative and policy frameworks in the Caribbean related to the human rights and constitutional protection of children and youth, economic and social rights, juvenile justice, family law, children and youth policies, and the actors and stages of the legislative and policy formulation process, students will be expected to engage in a critical analysis of the National Youth Policy, where it exists in their country or other primary policy documents which govern youth development and to develop a Strategic Plan for networking and advocacy towards the revision and updating of legislation and policy.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills
YDWCYP0574: Develop networks to support the national youth development agenda
YDWCYP0584: Develop and implement national youth policy
YDWCYP0644: Develop a strategic plan
YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work
YDWCYP0764: Design, develop and support the implementation of new opportunities for the development of young people
YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
YDWCYP0363: Plan and conduct high-level meetings
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
This course will raise students’ consciousness of youth in various life, work, and developmental contexts. Students will be introduced to the theory and practice of community development, with particular reference to the work of critical consciousness, appreciative inquiry and positive youth development theorists. They will examine how other people have worked in communities, and their theories about their work. There will also be an examination of institutions, community settings as well as settings in which ethnic, racial and religious minorities exist.
This course requires practical application of research skills learned at Level I of study. It is a study of Working with Youth Community and Organizational Settings. Learners will be required to implement a short project with young people to address a primary concern raised in a context or setting of their choice. Learners will use participatory methods to do research and identify concerns and problems in the chosen setting; develop an action plan; implement and evaluate their actions and interventions and report on the outcomes of the intervention and reflect on their role in the process. Learners who are employed in the youth sector may pursue a project related to their professional role, provided both the academic and work supervisors grant permission. However, students are not obligated to undertake their project within their existing organization or work place.
Students will learn and apply skills in providing support for mental, emotional and spiritual health by providing youth with direct, non-clinical counselling, advice or professional referrals. Students will be able to identify and respond to the special needs of youth with psychological, emotional or spiritual challenges, identify the symptoms of mental health challenges and develop professional attitudes necessary in working with youth suffering grief, loss and trauma.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0594: Coordinate and assess delivery of services to youth with special needs
YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work
YDWCYP0714: Manage the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth
YDWCYP0744: Design, develop and support the implementation of programmes to enable young people to address their circumstances
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
This course will introduce students to the principles and methods in conflict resolution and mediation in order to enable them to support an agenda for peace in the Caribbean region. Students will engage in a study of the significance of peace to national and regional development. They will be trained as advocates for peace and as mediators, with skills in training youth as peer mediators. Practical application of mediation skills will be required through a mock training of a small group of youth in mediation and conflict resolution.
Competencies:
YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills
YDWCYP0674: Promote a culture of occupational health and safety in youth development work
YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work
YDWCYP0714: Manage the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth
YDWCYP0724: Manage implementation of youth peace building agenda
YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner
