The Effects of Major Curriculum, Extra Curriculum, and Field Practicum on the Improvement of College Students’ Competencies: Focusing on Pre-service Youth Education Experts

This study aims to analyze the effects of the educational activities at the university on the competencies of college students and what are the educational activities that affect such competency improvement. For this purpose, the study surveyed 58 pre-service youth education experts at A university in 2015 and 2016, and assessed their competencies. Their major curriculum credits, field practicum hours, extra-curriculum mileage were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the competency of the pre-service youth education experts was improved through the educational activities of the university. By the grade level, the competency of the students who advanced from the sophomore to junior and junior to senior improved. Students who were advanced from freshman to sophomore showed no change in competency. In addition, it was found that the major curriculum credits among the university s educational activities had a positive effect on the improvement of competency. By the grade level, participation in field practicum for junior and the major credits for senior have a positive effect on the improvement of competency. The results of this study can be reflected in the improvement of the educational activities of the university related to the education of the pre-service youth education experts.