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Master
Vergelijk
Youth at Risk (Pedagogical Sciences)

Study programme

This one-year programme (60 EC) consists of two semesters, during which you will explore globally relevant core themes and skills about youth at risk. First and foremost, you will learn that child and adolescent development is inherently social in nature. Another core theme of this track is the preventive focus on youth development.
  • Semester 1

    The first semester consists of four specialised courses (24 EC in total) on the main topics of the Master’s. Additionally, there is one course on Methods and Statistics (3 EC) and one on professional skills (3 EC). 

  • Semester 2

    In the second semester, you will write a thesis (18 EC).  You will also complete either an internship (12 EC) or a course on developing preventive interventions (12 EC). For both Dutch and English-speaking students, it is possible to do an internship in The Netherlands or abroad; however, most opportunities we have to offer are available in the Netherlands and require sufficient fluency in Dutch.  Students who are able to find international or English-speaking internship opportunities (e.g., in their own networks or on LinkedIn) can verify their eligibility with our internship coordinator.

  • Teaching model

    The teaching model in this master's track has three key features: 

    1. It is inherently multidisciplinary, with staff coming from the disciplines of Parenting and Family Science, Educational Science, Developmental Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health. 
    2. It has a highly activating didactic approach. 
    3. The master's track takes an international perspective by examining and comparing youth care and prevention policies/programmes across countries. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and working groups. 

    Students will be assessed by a variety of methods, including examinations, papers, course assignments, and a thesis. 

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Resilience and risk processes in children and adolescents
    6

    Explore risk and resilience in childhood and adolescence, analysing interactions between individual factors and environments, including family, school, and society. This course delves into biological, psychological, and social aspects, covering development from prenatal stages to emerging adulthood.

  • School Adjustment
    6

    Discover how schools impact children's academic and social-emotional development. This course explores challenges and interventions, analysing factors like background and abilities that influence school success, and discusses strategies to enhance school adjustment.

  • Intervention essentials: effects, implementation and diversity
    6

    Explore effective interventions for children and adolescents in diverse contexts. This course focuses on evidence-based strategies, assessing intervention outcomes, and understanding the impact of factors like cultural backgrounds and cost-effectiveness. You'll analyse various interventions and create a critical assessment video as part of the learning process.

  • Parent and peer influences in youth development
    6

    Discover the impact of parents and peers on child and adolescent development in diverse contexts. This course delves into early adversity, family dynamics, and the evolving role of peers. Explore how youths shape their development while navigating various family structures and cultural influences.

  • Masterclass methods and statistics
    3

    Enhance your communication skills for effective professional interactions. This course emphasizes communication techniques, feedback exchange, and coaching abilities. Gain self-awareness and practice a range of communication tools in real-life scenarios, fostering a strong professional demeanor.

  • Masterclass professional skills
    3
  • Restricted-choice electives
    12

    There are 2 options to complete your mandatory electives of 12 ec's: 1. do an internship 2. complete the course 'Developing Preventive Interventions'

  • Masterthesis Youth at risk
    18

    This course equips students with skills to conduct in-depth research for their master's thesis, encompassing theoretical insights, data measurement, analysis, and ethical considerations. You'll learn to independently develop and execute research plans, critically reflect on methods, and effectively communicate findings. The focus is on the theme of Youth at Risk, fostering autonomous and comprehensive research capabilities with guidance from supervisors.

Compulsory course
Elective
Go to the UvA Course catalogue
Pim Looze, former student Youth at Risk
Youth at Risk touches on the most important contexts of young people. It gives you a good insight into the mechanisms that can put youngsters at risk. Read about Pim's experience
Additional information
  • Internship

    The programme offers a range of relevant internship options for you to choose from. Options include both internships in the Netherlands and abroad; however, most opportunities we have to offer are available in the Netherlands and require sufficient fluency in Dutch.  Students who are able to find international or English-speaking internship opportunities (e.g., in their own networks or on LinkedIn) can verify their eligibility with our internship coordinator

  • Electives

    In the second semester we offer a 12 EC hands-on course aimed at learning how to develop preventive interventions based on the state of the art in scientific knowledge. This course can be followed as a substitute for the Internship.

  • Workload

    A large part of your programme focuses on self-study. In addition to this you have weekly lectures and tutorials.

    Lectures: 4 hours per week
    Tutorials: 6 hours per week
    Self-study: 30 hours per week
Experience the programme
Frequently asked questions
  • I have a broad interest in the field of preventive youth care, is this programme right for me?

    Yes, the Youth at Risk programme is multidisciplinary in nature, covering topics like risk and resilience factors in the development of children and adolescents, roles of parents and peers in development, adjustment in school settings, and effectiveness of preventive interventions for at-risk populations.

  • What is the teaching environment like in the Youth at Risk programme?

    We teach in small groups using an approach that actively engages students. Professors are accessible and approachable, and students and professors get to know each other. The international environment results in a diverse classroom, allowing for multiple different viewpoints to meet and learn from each other.

  • Can I go abroad during the Master’s programme?

    Yes, students who wish to gain international experience can go abroad for an internship in the second semester. In previous years students have for instance been matched to internship organizations in Nepal, New York and Sweden.

  • Do you provide internships or do I need to find an internship organisation?

    Students in the Youth at Risk programme can choose from our offer of high-quality internships with organisations in the field of preventive youth care.  Most of these opportunities are available in the Netherlands and require sufficient fluency in Dutch; thus, Dutch-speaking students looking for opportunities within the Netherlands may not need to search for an internship themselves. Opportunities for English-language internships within the Netherlands or abroad exist but are scarce; interested students may be able to arrange such opportunities themselves.  If you would like to do an internship with an organisation that is not provided by us, that is also possible. Our internship coordinator will help in assessing whether the internship activities and context meet the standards of the master’s programme.

  • I do not want to do an internship, are there other options?

    Yes, to substitute for the internship we offer a hands-on course aimed at learning how to design a preventive intervention.

  • How do I choose a topic for my thesis?

    Professors who supervise the theses provide thesis topics. Students are matched to the topics. Within the topics, students find a specific research question that they would like to answer. This process ensures supervision by leading experts in the topic.

  • Will I be able to do clinical work after I finish the Youth at Risk programme?

    No, the Youth at Risk programme trains professionals for the field of preventive care rather than clinical work.

  • My previous study was not in the field of child development. Can I still apply for the Youth at Risk Master’s programme?

    Students with a university level Bachelor’s degree in a related field can also apply. Whether you are eligible for the programme depends on to what extent your previous education contained courses in the field of child development, abnormal/clinical psychology, and methods and statistics of social science research. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact us before submitting a full application file.