What Can You Do with a Degree in Children Youth Studies?

Our program provides the academic foundation and career focus necessary to pursue a wide variety of professions working directly or indirectly with children and youth. Students’ professional pursuits include mental health, school and personal counseling, social work, nonprofit organizational positions, pre-med, pre-law, health-related fields, advocacy, and public policy positions.

Children and Youth Studies, B.A.

Career Possibilities

This degree prepares students for careers in a variety of professions that work directly or indirectly with children and youth, including those below.

  • Advocacy and Policy Work: Lobby for policy changes and conduct research to improve children’s rights and social justice.
  • Child Advocate: Protect and advocate for children’s rights within legal or advocacy organizations.
  • Child Life Specialist: Help children and families navigate the emotional challenges of illness or hospitalization.
  • Child Protection Services: Work within Child and Family Services to protect children from abuse and neglect, and improve child welfare policies.
  • Community Outreach Coordinator: Develop programs to support marginalized youth in education, health, and economic opportunities.
  • Counseling, Speech and Support Services: Provide therapeutic services to children and families.
  • Education Equity Advocate: Promote fairness in education by addressing funding disparities and supporting students with special needs.
  • Educator: Teach in early childhood through high school settings.
  • Human Rights Organizations: Focus on international child rights, addressing issues like child labor and trafficking.
  • Nonprofit Work: Manage programs, raise funds, and support children and youth through various non-profit roles.
  • Program Director: Develop and manage programs for children and youth, such as after-school or summer initiatives.
  • Researcher: Conduct research on issues impacting children and youth to contribute to academic or policy-related work.
  • School Counselor: Assist students with academic and personal development in K-12 educational settings.
  • Social Worker: Supporting children and families with social and psychological functioning, often through social service agencies.
  • Youth Organizer: Work with young people to build their power and create change in their communities.
  • Youth Worker: Provide guidance and support to young people in community centers, residential settings, or afterschool.

On-Campus Resources

Magner Career Center

The Magner Career Center has a wealth of information on everything you need to get started in your career, help with résumés, an internships database, job fairs, etc.

  • The center hosts frequent career events, which include panels with Brooklyn College alumni, company and organization visits, and workshops.
  • You can get matched with alumni with your major to learn about their experiences, seek career advice, and develop a professional relationship.
  • Handshake serves as Brooklyn College’s dedicated job board.
  • Pamela Brown is the liaison to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. For more information or to set up appointments, visit the Magner Center’s website call 718.951.5696, or visit 1303 James Hall.

The Brooklyn College Learning Center

The Learning Center provides peer tutoring in accordance with national best practices that empower students to cultivate the skills and behaviors of confident, independent, and lifelong learners. With support from the Office of Institutional Research and Data Science and ongoing oversight from the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the center designs relevant interventions for need areas to further Brooklyn College’s efforts to stimulate student-driven learning as well as increase retention rates and on-time graduation.

Brooklyn. All in.

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