Best institutions to study Youth Services/Administration
A program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and implement social services for children, youth, and families.
22 U.S. institutions graduated 231 Youth Services/Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 44.0702, a specialization of Social Work (CIP 44.07), and leads most directly to the Child, Family, and School Social Workers occupation (BLS SOC 21-1021).
About Youth Services/Administration programs
A program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and implement social services for children, youth, and families. Includes instruction in child development and psychology, adolescence, family studies, social work, social services administration, juvenile and family law, program and facilities planning, youth leadership, counseling, probation, casework, applicable procedures and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Youth Services/Administration program prepares individuals to effectively plan, manage, and implement social services aimed at supporting children, youth, and families. This program is ideal for those interested in making a positive impact in their communities through social work and public administration. Students will gain the skills necessary to address various challenges faced by young people and their families.
Core coursework includes child development, psychology, family studies, social services administration, and juvenile law. Students will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, which are vital for working in youth services and social work.
Credentials awarded
What Youth Services/Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree84 graduates / yr · 5 institutions36%
- Bachelor's degree68 graduates / yr · 8 institutions29%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate33 graduates / yr · 5 institutions14%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year25 graduates / yr · 4 institutions11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years20 graduates / yr · 3 institutions8.7%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Youth Services/Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 69 |
| 2013 | 156 |
| 2014 | 243 |
| 2015 | 301 |
| 2016 | 262 |
| 2017 | 318 |
| 2018 | 332 |
| 2019 | 445 |
| 2020 | 484 |
| 2021 | 485 |
| 2022 | 408 |
| 2023 | 332 |
| 2024 | 267 |
| 2025 | 231 |
Top 22 institutions for Youth Services/Administration, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 40 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 34 | 50% | — | $38,324 |
| 3 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 4 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 50% | — | $33,575 |
| 5 | Mt Hood Community College Gresham, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 24% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicPost-degree cert. | 16 | 30% | — | $45,565 |
| 7 | Rhode Island College Providence, RIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 48% | — | $33,561 |
| 8 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 86% | $25,823 | $33,819 |
| 9 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 29% | — | — |
| 10 | Delta College University Center, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 27% | — | — |
| 11 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 67% | — | $38,134 |
| 12 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MIPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 48% | — | $38,503 |
| 13 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 75% | — | $38,236 |
| 14 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 4 | 84% | — | — |
| 15 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 43% | $29,915 | — |
| 16 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 56% | — | $37,206 |
| 17 | Point University West Point, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 34% | $20,980 | — |
| 18 | Saint Peter's University Jersey City, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 58% | $14,440 | — |
| 19 | Samford University Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 77% | $28,160 | — |
| 20 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 21 | Grand View University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 54% | $20,840 | $40,736 |
| 22 | Chatham University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 63% | $23,700 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Social Work field (CIP 44.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 18 states
Where Youth Services/Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Social Work programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 1 | 40 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center40 / yr |
| Florida | 2 | 35 | Nova Southeastern University32 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 34 | Purdue University Global34 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 17 | Eastern Kentucky University17 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 17 | Mt Hood Community College17 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 16 | Texas Christian University12 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 16 | University of Alaska Anchorage16 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 15 | Rhode Island College15 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 11 | Delta College6 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 9 | Edmonds College9 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 5 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins5 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 5 | University of Missouri - Columbia5 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 4 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania3 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 2 | Point University2 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Saint Peter's University2 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | Samford University1 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | University of Southern California1 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 1 | Grand View University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1021, Child, Family, and School Social Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Youth Services/Administration program can pursue careers as Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Social and Community Service Managers. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.4% and approximately 35,100 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is $58,570, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 44.0702
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Child, Family, and School Social Workersprimary SOC 21-1021 | $59,550 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~35,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Social and Community Service Managers SOC 11-9151 | $80,390 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~18,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Youth Services/Administration programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
- Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
- Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
- Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
- Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
- Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.
Tools and technology used
Other Social Work specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Social Work (CIP 44.07).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Child, Family, and School Social Worker or a Social and Community Service Manager.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.4% and 35,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Youth Services/Administration?+
Youth Services/Administration is CIP 44.0702 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Social Work (CIP 44.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and implement social services for children, youth, and families. Includes instruction in child development and psychology, adolescence, family studies, social work, social services administration, juvenile and family law, program and facilities planning, youth leadership, counseling, probation, casework, applicable procedures and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Youth Services/Administration programs?+
22 U.S. institutions reported Youth Services/Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 231 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Social Work graduates.
How much do Youth Services/Administration graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Child, Family, and School Social Workers occupation, which Youth Services/Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Social Work field report median earnings of $38,236 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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