COURSE CURRICULUM

The Child and Youth Care program offers a structured four-term curriculum designed to build foundational and advanced skills for working with children, youth, and families. In Term 1, students are introduced to core concepts through courses such as Introduction to Child and Youth Care Practice, Professional Communication, and Foundations of Counselling, alongside foundational academic courses including English Composition, Sociology of the Family, and Introduction to Indigenous Studies. Term 2 focuses on applied knowledge with courses like Youth Mental Health and Substance Use, Intersectional Child and Youth Care Practice, and a significant practicum component through Child and Youth Care Professional Practice I. Students also study Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness and Child and Adolescent Development to deepen their understanding of developmental and health-related challenges. Term 3 emphasizes trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches with courses such as Working from a Trauma-Informed Perspective, Decolonizing Practices, Family Support and Engagement, and Policy, Legislation, and Advocacy, supported by another hands-on practicum in Professional Practice II. In Term 4, students advance their counselling and intervention skills through courses like Assessments and Interventions, Advanced Counselling, and a comprehensive practicum in Professional Practice III. The program concludes with a Capstone course, where students synthesize and present their learning. Each term integrates academic theory with real-world practice, offering a progressive learning experience that prepares students for a range of professional roles in the child and youth care sector. Courses such as sociology, psychology, Indigenous studies, trauma, and decolonizing practices reflect the program’s commitment to inclusivity, mental health awareness, and community engagement. With multiple practicum opportunities embedded in the curriculum, students graduate with both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary for effective and ethical practice in diverse care settings, including schools, residential programs, and community-based services. The program also supports prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) and features zero textbook cost options.