Michigan Afterschool Partnership

Youth Development Associate Certificate and Credential Program

Start Your Career in Youth Development

A school-age youth development professional is an extraordinary individual who helps to guide youth to master skills, develop relationships, grow in independence, and move to new levels of thinking and understanding about themselves and the world.

The Michigan Youth Development Associate Certificate and Credential pathways support quality programs for school-age youth by providing standards for training and evaluation.

Strengthen Your Career Path

When you earn your certificate or credential...

  • You will be better prepared to work with youth.
  • You will know how to appropriately support young people in their development.
  • You will create a professional development work plan for yourself.
  • You will increase your knowledge and skills.
  • You will receive acknowledgement from the State of Michigan and Michigan Afterschool Partnership for professional development and experience working with youth in out-of-school time programs.
  • You will improve the quality of the youth development programs you work in.
  • You will be able to put your certificate and/or credential on your resume and use it to advocate for yourself and your experience.

Ready to Get Started?