Child & Youth Policy (14-Credit Certificate)

If you’re an early childhood professional who wants to strengthen your knowledge of child, youth, and family policy, consider the 14-credit certificate program in Child & Youth Policy at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. 

The Child & Youth Policy certificate will provide students who plan to support children (ages 0-12) and adolescents (ages 13-20) in the education, health, and juvenile justice systems with theoretical, empirical, and practical knowledge needed to understand applied developmental science research. You’ll learn how to share this research with policymakers, build networks with policymakers, and describe the history and current facts behind policies affecting children and youth. 

Certificate Goals

After completing the certificate in Child & Youth Policy, you will know how to:

  • Understand how research about child and youth development and education can be used to inform policy. 
  • Understand the field of public policy and the process and cycles of policymaking. 
  • Synthesize and summarize historical and current policies affecting children, youth, and their families. 
  • Discuss and share information about public policy with policymakers, education professionals, and others interested in child and youth policy.

The Child & Youth Policy certificate can be used to satisfy some of the requirements for the MA in Leadership, Policy & Advocacy for Early Childhood Well-Being at BU Wheelock.

Certificate Requirements for Child & Youth Policy

Learn the requirements for the program, including prerequisites, in the BU Bulletin. 

Program Faculty

Next Steps in Pursuing the Child & Youth Policy Certificate

Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about our non-degree certificate in Child & Youth Policy.