Master of Science in Youth, Education and Society
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €17,500: International students
Scholarships
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Introduction
Analyzing And Tackling Social Issues Concerning Youth, Education, And Society
In our overscheduled society is there still enough time for childrearing? How do families and childrearing change through the use of social media? How can we tackle polarisation in multi-ethnic classrooms? What leads to game addiction and inactivity in our society? How do we make our schools inclusive? What do children need to find their own solutions to bullying at school? How do parenting support programs developed in Western countries fit into non-Western communities? How should the new frameworks for youth care in the Netherlands be structured? What can we learn from foreign approaches to education and youth services?
Innovation In Pedagogic Services
Do you want to make a contribution to these contemporary social challenges involving the relationship between children and youth and their guardians/educators? Do you want to help draft new policies that can improve the position, welfare, and development of children, youth, and their parents? Are you interested in making international comparisons? Youth, Education, and Society (Dutch: Maatschappelijke opvoedingsvraagstukken) is the only Master’s program in the Netherlands that specifically focuses on innovating pedagogical policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.
This one-year, intensive program will teach you about:
- The quality of pedagogical and educational services, such as childcare, youth care, schools, and sports clubs;
- How to look at pedagogy that addresses social issues such as cultural diversity, inclusion, and social justice;
- How to use academic pedagogical knowledge in intercultural, interdisciplinary, and international collaboration;
- Professional practice in relation to initiatives undertaken by civil society and youth themselves.
Developing An International Vision
We will also be looking beyond our borders. After all, global developments (such as globalization, poverty, and migration) have had a major impact on the quality of life for children and youth. And we will also be analyzing pedagogical services through an international lens:
- What frameworks are used in setting up youth care in the Netherlands compared to countries outside of Europe?
- How can the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child be given shape in youth policy worldwide?
This program also devotes attention to international humanitarian cooperation.
Program Outcome
This Master’s will enable you to develop yourself into an academic professional. You will learn to analyze, evaluate and solve practical problems in a theoretical and empirical way. You will graduate as an educationalist and acquire the NVO registration as a general educationalist.
The Bigger Picture
This Master’s is distinguished by a broad, interdisciplinary view on pedagogy. Unlike clinical approaches to Pedagogy, which focus on deviant behavior, this program deals with how the regular societal infrastructures and services can prevent problems and help youth thrive. Alongside a focus on the role of professionals and policy, the program centers on the role of society in childrearing and education. Critical analysis of relevant societal debates surrounding children and youth also typifies this Master’s program.
Curriculum
Tracks
Within this program you can choose between three tracks:
- Youth Policy, Education and Prevention (YEP)
- Pedagogy and International Development (PID)
- Education for Inclusive Societies (EFIS)
The YEP track prepares you for pedagogical work in the broadest sense mostly directed at (Western) welfare economies, while the PID track prepares you for this work with a focus on underdeveloped communities and international collaboration. With the EFIS track, you focus on pedagogical work in the education sector, specialized on issues of inclusion, polarisation, and democratic citizenship (although these themes are not exclusively addressed in the EFIS track).
Career Opportunities
This program leads to the Master of Science (MSc) diploma and the NVO registration as Educationalist (basis pedagoog). After receiving your diploma, you can work in various types of jobs.
Academic Career
Past experience has shown that students who have completed this program are well prepared for a job as a junior researcher or Ph.D. candidate.
Transition to the Labor Market
The Master’s program in Youth, Education, and Society prepares you for professions
- that involve the development of pedagogical policy;
- that put pedagogical support and advice center stage;
- that research pedagogical themes;
- that analyze and use pedagogical knowledge in conjunction with other disciplines.
The target groups involved are:
- citizens
- pedagogical professionals
- providers of support, education, and care
- policy advisors
- institutions
Positions
- lecturer for academic pedagogical training programs
- policy advisor at a ministry, province, municipality, umbrella, and interest organization of pedagogical services (at national or international level)
- staff member or policy officer with youth services
- policy and practice researcher for national and regional innovation and support institutions (at national or international level)
- advisor or trainer at a consultancy (at national or international level)