Child and Youth Care Counsellor

Program Overview

This Child and Youth Care program prepares students for careers working with vulnerable children, youth, and families. The program emphasizes professional practice, communication, and assessment and intervention skills. Students participate in practicums and engage in group projects, role plays, and counselling sessions. Graduates are in demand in various settings, including group homes, residential treatment centers, and mental health centers.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Year 1, Fall Semester
• CYCC 111: The Profession of Child and Youth Care
• Junior ENGL
• IDST 100: Introductory Communications for Helping Professionals
• KNES 281: Introduction to Movement Activities of Children and Youth
• PSYC 201: Introduction to Psychology II - Social Science
• Year 1, Winter Semester
• CYCC 120: Practicum I
• CYCC 122: Working with Vulnerable Children, Youth and Families
• CYCC 125: Fundamental Skills in Counselling
• Junior ENGL
• MICO 191: Introduction to Microcomputers
• PSYC 351: Developmental Psychology
• Year 2, Fall Semester
• CYCC 230: Practicum II
• CYCC 233: Legal and Cultural Issues Regarding Children and Youth
• CYCC 235: Group Facilitation
• CYCC 237: Youth Care Practice with Families
• PSYC 357: Human Development
• Year 2, Winter Semester
• CYCC 232: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Issues
• CYCC 240: Practicum III

Teaching:

• The program emphasizes professional practice, communication, self-awareness, theory, and assessment and intervention.
• Students participate in numerous group projects, role plays, and counselling sessions as part of their coursework.
• The program includes a major practicum component, with students placed in agencies for one day (15 hours) per week for the entire second year.
• Faculty members include Dean Milne and Jodi Miller.

Careers:

• Graduates are in demand across Canada in a variety of settings, including:
• Group homes
• Residential treatment centers
• Institutional settings
• Young offender settings
• School liaison work
• Child development assistant (school setting)
• Outreach/street programs
• Mental health centers
• Family and community-based programs
• Therapeutic foster care
• Day treatment programs