Program Length
- 4 Years
Credential
- Bachelor Degree
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
A unique child and youth care degree
Are you interested in a career in counselling children, youth and their families? With a degree in Child and Youth Care (CYC) you can make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and families. The job market in BC for child and youth care counsellors is growing, and our grads get hired. With this degree you can start a career as a child and youth care counsellor in schools, community-based organisations or with the Ministry for Children and Family Development.
In VIU's Child and Youth Care Program you get plenty of hands-on learning and activity-based work. And the child protection specialization means you graduate with in-demand skills.
Why choose VIU's Child and Youth Care degree?
Real-world CYC work experience
The CYC degree includes practicums each year starting in second year. The three practicum experiences give you a minimum of 850 hours of work experience. If you choose the child protection specialization, you will get 900 hours of work experience. As part of your practicum experience you work on community projects that improve the lives of local youth.
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Flexible options for your career
Many people try a few career options before they find that perfect fit. We have flexible options that make it easier for you to adjust your education plan while you explore career options.
On-line and in-person learning
Online and in-person options are available. You can also choose hybrid study, which gives you a combination of online and in-person classes.
Dual Credit
If you're in high school and want to get a head start on your career as a child and youth care counsellor, you can take some first-year university-level courses while gaining credit towards your high school diploma. For more information email CYC@viu.ca.
Enter the program in third year
If you choose a career in CYC after working in another human services field, you may be able to fast-track your CYC degree. If you have a diploma in a human services field like Early Childhood Education or Education Assistant, you can start the CYC degree in third year.
What jobs can I do with a CYC degree?
With a CYC degree you can work in counselling roles with children, youth and their caregivers. You can find rewarding careers in non-profits, government or in schools.
- counsellor in non-profit agency, school or publicly funded organisations
- child protection worker
- youth and family substance use counsellors
- community-based youth program leaders
- adventure-based counselling
- youth justice worker
- health authority-based child, youth and family counsellor
About the BA in Child and Youth Care
Field work is an integral part of the VIU Bachelor of Child and Youth Care. During the first year you focus on theory. From the second year onwards, you will have a practicum placement each semester. There are a variety of practicum experiences to choose from, so you can try working in many different types of child and youth care jobs. Your practicum experience will be 10 to 15 hours per week each semester.
The program focuses on the knowledge, skills and the self-understanding you need as a child and youth counsellor. As part of the program, you will develop an understanding who you are and how aspects of self influence the work you do.
You will develop skills and knowledge in:
- child, youth and family development
- communication and counselling skills
- trauma-informed care
- social justice
- cultural safety
- developing and delivering activity-based programs
- assessment and care planning
- leadership
- community development
- substance use
- mental health
Courses and Concentrations
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.
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
CYC 111 - (Child Development) | 3 |
CYC 152 - (Interpersonal Communication Skills in a Therapeutic Context) | 3 |
CYC 100 - (Introductions to Professional Child and Youth Care Practice) | 3 |
ENGL 115* - (University Writing and Research) | 3 |
CYC 165 - (Introductions to Group Work in Child & Youth Care Practice) | 3 |
CYC 101 - (Theoretical Foundations in Child and Youth Care) | 3 |
CYC 112 - (Adolescent Development) | 3 |
ENGL 125 - (Literature and Culture) or, | 3 |
Elective | 6 |
Total Credits | 30 |
* To obtain second-year standing in the program students must complete 24 of the required 30 credits from first year. Those 24 credits must include English 115.
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
CYC 231 - (An Introduction to Family Development and Support) | 3 |
CYC 212 - (Introduction to Activity Based Child and Youth Care Practice) | 3 |
CYC 362 - (Child Abuse and Neglect Concerns) | 3 |
CYC 252 - (Fundamental Counselling Skills) | 3 |
CYC 262 - (Relational Youth Work) | 3 |
CYC 232 - (Diverse Abilities in Child and Youth Care) | 3 |
HHS 276 - (Trauma and Resiliency Across the Lifespan) | 3 |
CYC 210 - (Introductory Supervised Practicum) | 6 |
Elective | 3 |
Total Credits | 30 |
* To obtain third-year standing in the program students must complete 54 required credits from first and second year. Those 54 required credits must include the full Degree English Requirement.
| Year 3 | Credits |
|---|---|
CYC 324 - (Community and Program Development in Child and Youth Care Practice) | 3 |
CYC 321 - (Contact and Colonization: Implications for CYC Practice) | 3 |
CYC 323 - (Research in the Field of Child and Youth Care) | 3 |
CYC 310* - (Supervised Practicum) | 9 |
CYC 350 - (Law and Child And Youth Care Practice) | 3 |
CYC 301 - (Applying Assessment and Service Planning in CYC Practice) | 3 |
CYC 361 - (Understanding Substance Use in Child and Youth Care Practice) | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total Credits | 30 |
* CYC 310 is completed over the fall and spring semesters.
| Year 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
CYC 466 - (Therapeutic Assessment Work with Families) | 3 |
HSD 425 - (Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis) | 3 |
CYC 410* - (Advanced Supervised Practicum) | 9 |
CYC 476 - (Therapeutic Intervention Plans with Families) | 3 |
CYC 424 - (Child And Youth Mental Health) | 3 |
CYC 475 - (Advanced Activity Based CYC Practice in Groups) | 3 |
CYC 403 - (Best Practices in Child Safety) | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total Credits | 30 |
* CYC 410 is completed over the fall and spring semesters.
Note: The Child Protection Specialization Practicum is to be completed in Intersession semester (April/May/June). Students completing the Child Protection Specialization are required to complete CYC 403 with a minimum "C+" grade prior to commencing their Child Protection field placement. CYC 403 is open to all Child and Youth Care students.
Note: Any university-level course may be used as an elective.
Admission Information
- General admission requirements apply.
- To be eligible for admission at first year, general admission requirements apply.
- To obtain second year standing, VIU B.A. CYC program students must complete 24 of the required 30 credits from first year. Those 24 credits must include ENGL 115 and 6 credits of Human Development (normally CYC 111/112), and the following Child and Youth Care core courses (or content equivalent of) CYC 100, 101, 152, and 165, or students must have completed a recognized Human Services Certificate program that includes the English and Human Development and CYC courses or equivalency requirements as stated above.
- To be eligible for admission to third year, students must have completed a diploma in a Human Services discipline, including completion of the Degree English requirement, (6 credits with a min. "C+") and Human Development Requirement (6 credits with a min. "C+"), providing courses meet the VIU CYC program requirements. Human Services Diplomas, which will be granted a block transfer of a maximum of 60 credits, must be from accredited institutions and does not include vocational or continuing studies certificates or diplomas. Successful block transfer does not guarantee an offer of admission. Elective course requirements vary depending on transfer credits or previous VIU course work.
- The overall GPA of students to be admitted to third year will be a minimum of 2.33 ("C+"), calculated on the most recent 24 credits completed, and with a min. "C+" in each of the individual courses previously identified for meeting admission requirements.
To apply to the program, applicants must submit the following documents:
- Transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions/programs attended
- Education/work résumé
- Complete the personal profile
- Two completed reference forms
Notes on Admission
- Volunteer or employment experience with children, youth, and families/caregivers is preferred but not required for entry into the program.
- Human Services diploma will be granted a maximum of 60 credits.
- Fieldwork and/or practica will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students regarding the Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are 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.
- While in practicum students are required to maintain Standard First Aid with Infant/Child CPR certification for the duration of the academic year and/or period that they are enrolled in practicum.
- An interview may be scheduled following receipt of the above information.
- 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 Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations.
- Students admitted to the BA degree can apply for a Child and Youth Care Diploma provided that have met all the first and second year program requirements.
- Students who wish to take individual courses without being admitted to the program may take up to three courses maximum if space is available and when 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 are encouraged to explore the program with a VIU Advisor before pursuing application.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $169.73 per credit) | 5,091.90 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) | 162.96 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) | 179.92 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) | 230.96 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,800.00 |
| Total | 7,750.74 |
* The above table is based on ten 3-credit courses taken over two semesters. For programs that require 4-credit courses, students should adjust their fees accordingly.
CYC 212 has an additional lab fee.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $815.77 per credit) | 24,473.10 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) | 162.96 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) | 179.92 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) | 230.96 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,800.00 |
| Total | 27,131.94 |
CYC 212 has an additional lab fee.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Donna Kist Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Donna.Kist@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Ashleigh Martinflatt Email: Ashleigh.Martinflatt@viu.ca
Area Contact:
Name: Heather McIntyre, Program Assistant Email: Heather.McIntyre@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
|
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International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$153.00
Chair Contact:
Name: Ashleigh Martinflatt Email: Ashleigh.Martinflatt@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Email: Study@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
Early admission for Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care, and Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care, Third Year entry: January 31, 2025. Regular document deadline: April 15, 2025 (Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care; Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care Third Year entry). Late applications will be reviewed once all required documentation has been submitted.
Comments:
For prospective international applicants, please send your inquires to WorldVIU@viu.ca. |
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Beyond the CYC degree
After you complete the CYC degree you have options. You can apply to many post-graduate programs in counselling or CYC. You can also apply to the post-baccalaureate education program.
Visit the department site
For more information about the Child and Youth Care degree, including faculty biographies, visit the department site.