COURSE CURRICULUM

The Child and Youth Care program offers a well-rounded, two-year curriculum designed to prepare students for meaningful, relationship-based work with children, youth, and families. In the first year, students build foundational communication and interpersonal skills through courses such as Interpersonal Communication (COMM-1169) and Communication Strategies (COMM-1173). They are introduced to the profession’s core principles in Foundations of Child and Youth Care (CYCP-1040) and explore the dynamics of family life in Family Across the Lifespan (CYCP-1037). Understanding the broader context of care, students also complete A Context for Practice With Indigenous Peoples (HUMA-1004). In the second term, they begin applying their knowledge in Therapeutic Activities and Groups (CYCP-1035), Relational Child and Youth Care Practice (CYCP-2034), and Critical Social Issues for Youth (CYCP-2038), culminating in their first field placement, Practicum 1 (PRAC-1103), where they gain supervised experience in a community setting. Year two deepens students’ practice with specialized training in Trauma Informed Care (CYCP-2014), Assessment and Intervention (CYCP-2015), and Family Support and Intervention (CYCP-2041). Courses like Anti-Oppression and Equity in Practice (CYCP-3018) and Child and Adolescent Development (PSYC-2003) further enhance students’ understanding of identity, development, and inclusive care. In the final term, students explore Mental Health Literacy (CYCP-2042), build Counselling Skills (CYCP-2043), and address ethical and professional challenges in Professional Practice Issues (CYCP-2044). The program concludes with a second practicum (PRAC-2103), offering deeper field experience and the opportunity to integrate classroom learning with real-world practice.