Bachelor's Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care

• 4-year Degree Program
• Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
• Apply for Admission: Forms and Information

Note: VIU also offers a Child and Youth Care Diploma and a Child and Youth Care First Nations Diploma.

The Program

A full range of courses is available to complete a program of studies leading to a B.A. degree in Child and Youth Care at Vancouver Island University. The Child and Youth Care degree program is a four-year course of study (120 credits), and students may enter at either second or third year.

This program prepares students to enter a variety of child and youth care employment settings. These settings range from early intervention with special needs infants to youth corrections programs, and child protection and guardianship work; from community-based programs such as day-care, schools, family support and group homes to residential treatment facilities and hospitals (child life programs).

The program is designed in response to increasing demand from employers for skilled child and youth care practitioners who are able to work in an integrated, multidisciplinary way. Some of the topics that students will be required to study are child welfare, abuse and neglect concerns, human and family development, theories of practice and integrated case management in community-based practice. This program is offered on a full-time, as well as a part-time basis to accommodate practitioners working in the field. Admitted students have seven years to complete the degree.

Child Protection Specialization

A Child Protection Specialization is available for a limited number of students admitted to the Child and Youth Care degree program. Interested students must apply for a Child Protection practicum within the Child and Youth Care department for admission to the specialization. In addition to core course requirements the following courses are required:

• CYC 360K - (Special Topics: Disability Issues)
• CYC 403 - (Introduction to Child Abuse and Neglect II)
• CYC 404 - (Law and Social Services)
• CYC 410 - (Advanced Professional Practice Seminar and Supervised Practicum) in a child protection agency

For further information, please contact the Child and Youth Care Practicum Coordinator and/or CYC Advisors.

University Credit

Students may complete the four-year B.A. in Child and Youth Care degree at VIU. Students may also transfer to VIU at second or third year from another post-secondary institution. Students who complete the B.A. in Child and Youth Care may then pursue graduate studies at a number of educational settings.

Admission Requirements

• Enrolment in the B.A. in Child and Youth Care program at VIU is limited. Students who wish to take individual courses without being admitted to the program may do so where space is available and where prerequisites have been completed. Students who take courses in Child and Youth Care without being formally admitted into the program are not guaranteed entry into the program. Students apply for entry to third year and are encouraged to explore the program with a VIU Advisor before pursuing application.
• To be eligible for admission to third year, students must have completed a minimum of 54 credits of university courses OR a recognized Human Services diploma (granted 60 credits maximum). The course of study must include university English (normally 6 credits), Human Development (normally 6 credits), and the following Child and Youth Care courses (or content equivalent of): CYC 200A, 200B, 201, 252A, 252B, 260B and 265.
• The overall GPA of students will be a minimum of 2.33 (“C+”), calculated on the most recent 24 credits completed, and with a minimum “C+” in each of the individual courses previously identified for meeting admission requirements.

Applicants must submit the following items:

• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions/programs attended.
• Education/work resume that documents supervised paid or volunteer work with children, youth and/or families.
• A 300-word statement that focuses on what is important to the applicant about working with children, youth and/or families.
• Two completed reference forms. Blank forms will be mailed to the applicant upon receipt of application.

Notes on Admission

• Criminal Record Check. Fieldwork and/or practicums will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU and processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
• An interview may be scheduled following receipt of the above information (mid-April to the end of May).
• Enrolment is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
• Upon admission, students will be expected to be familiar with and adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Child and Youth Care Association of British Columbia and the The Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations.

Start Date and Application Deadline

The program starts in September and applications are accepted between November 15 and February 28. For further information regarding late applications and program contacts check the Program Availability List.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degree, students must have completed at least 120 university-level credits and have completed all required Child and Youth Care courses.

A minimum overall “C+” average and a minimum “C+” in each individual required course is necessary to progress in the program and to qualify for graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements for the degree are met. Students are encouraged to consult the Child and Youth Care Program Advisor for information and guidance.

Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degrees are conferred at a convocation ceremony held in January or June of each year. Students who have completed all academic requirements qualifying them for a degree in Child and Youth Care must make a formal application for graduation through the Registration Centre (see Graduation).

Program Outline

Below is a suggested schedule that is based on full-time attendance and includes all required courses. Not all courses are available in each academic year at each campus.
Note: Courses for the Child Protection option are listed separately.

* Any university level course may be used as an elective.

Note: In Year 4 students can select the regular core program or the Child Protection option.

* Any university level course may be used as an elective.

Updated December 6, 2011