Program

Child and Youth Care (Bachelor of Arts)

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Child and Youth Care
Credits
120.00
Length of Program
Eight semesters
Credential Type
Bachelor's Degree
Campus
Coquitlam
Learning Format
Full-time
Part-time
Admission Type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

Learn how to support children, youth and families as a professional child and youth care worker through the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care. You'll take three practicums during your degree, with the third practicum being eight months long in a supervised child and youth care setting.

You'll graduate ready to take on team leader or supervisory positions in your community. Our grads find work in settings including schools, community centres, parent-child education settings, residential settings and programs for street-involved youth, addictions services.

Job opportunities

Surveys show that 97 percent of our Child and Youth Care degree graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes). Over 11,400 social and community service job openings are expected in B.C. for the next ten years.

Further education

If you’re interested in furthering your education, your credential may also transfer to child and youth care programs at other post-secondary institutions. Visit the BC Transfer Guide and your transfer university’s website regularly to confirm which courses transfer.

Admissions Requirements

Prior to making an application, students are encouraged to attend an information session, visit the Douglas College CYC Program website, and discuss their plans with a FACS Program Advisor.

Suitability for admission to the program is determined on the basis of awareness of self and others, life/work experiences, formal education and overall personal suitability.

ENTERING AT YEAR 1

Applicants for entry at Year 1 must meet the following admission requirements:

  • General College Admissions Requirements
  • Current resume
  • Essay demonstrating personal suitability for the program
  • Letters of reference from two individuals not related to the applicant (e.g. supervisors, instructors, or others familiar with the applicant's work with children or youth)
  • Postsecondary transcripts, if applicable

ENTERING YEAR 2 WITH A CERTIFICATE IN ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONS 

The Certificate in Academic Foundations (CAF) is a thirty-credit certificate designed for students who wish to take some Child and Youth Care (CYC) courses as well as completing other University Transferable courses as they explore educational options. This pathway into the BA in CYC may also be of interest to students who intend to pursue a career in human services but have not yet determined which area. 

Students who complete the CYC CAF are eligible to apply to the BA in CYC degree and if accepted would enter the program at 2nd Year.  

Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

  • General College Admissions Requirements
  • Current resume
  • Essay demonstrating personal suitability for the program
  • Letters of reference from two individuals not related to the applicant (e.g. supervisors, instructors, or others familiar with the applicant's work with children or youth)
  • Completion of the CYC CAF with a minimum of a (2.67) "B-" average

ENTERING AT YEAR 3

Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

  • General College Admissions Requirements
  • Current resume
  • Essay demonstrating personal suitability for the program
  • Letters of reference from two individuals not related to the applicant (e.g. supervisors, instructors, or others familiar with the applicant's work with children or youth)
  • Completion of a 60 credit diploma or equivalent with a minimum (2.67) "B-" average. Only credentials recognized by Douglas College will be accepted for admission to the program. 

The following Douglas College diploma programs are eligible for block transfer into the BA in CYC:

  • Child and Youth Care
  • Classroom and Community Support
  • Community Social Service Work
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Youth Justice

Block transfer of Child and Youth Care or human services-related diplomas from other post-secondary institutions will be evaluated using the Child and Youth Care Education Consortium of BC (CYCECBC) criteria. For information, consult with the Douglas College CYC coordinator. Students who have completed 60 first- and second-year credits in disciplines not listed above are advised to contact the CYC coordinator to enquire about transferability.  Successful block transfer does not guarantee an offer of admission. Students may still be required to take additional courses as determined by the College. 

Once an offer of admission is made by Enrolment Services to any year of the BA CYC, all students will be asked to complete the following (information will be provided):

  1. Criminal Record Check
  2. A Student declaration indicating the applicant understands what is required to complete the training in Child and Youth Care and is aware of services provided by the College

 

Cost

Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more. 

For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 120 credits
  • 45 Upper Level (3000-4000) credits required
  • A minimum of 70% of upper level credits must be completed at Douglas College
  • A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: ten (10) years

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 120 credits
  • 45 Upper Level (3000-4000) credits required
  • A minimum of 40% (48 credits) must be completed at Douglas College
  • A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: ten (10) years

 

Indigenous Pathway students: The Indigenous Pathway courses noted below will substitute for CYC courses noted with a (+).

BA IN CHILD AND YOUTH CARE FIRST and THIRD YEAR ENTRY COURSES:

Year 1

Semester I

Course

Title

Credits

CFCS 1110 (+)  

Introduction to Community

3

CFCS 1130

Change and Development: Lifespan

3

CYCC 1141 (+)

or

CFCS 1160

Introduction to CYC Practice

or

Introduction to Professional Practice - Teaching and Learning

3

CYCC 1150

Activity Programming for Children and Youth

3

English

One of ENGL 1130 or CMNS 1110 or CMNS 1115 

3

   

15

Semester II

Course

Title

Credits

CYCC 1220   

Counselling and Relationship Building with Children and Youth

3

CYCC 1250

Supporting Behavioural Change

3

CYCC 1240 (+) 

Practicum

4.5

CFCS 1260

Continuum of Substance Use

3

UT Elective ** University Transferable elective 

3

   

16.5

 

Year 2

Semester III

Course

Title

Credits

CYCC 2211 (+)  

The Professional Community: Policies, Standards, Legislation and Children

3

CYCC 2320

Working with Others in Groups

3

CFCS 2333 (+)

Change and Development: Families

3

CYCC 2360

Mental Health in Childhood and Adolescence

3

2nd English

ENGL 1130 or any other University Transferable English course 

3

   

15

Semester IV

Course

Title

Credits

CFCS 2432 *  

Understanding Aboriginal Perspectives and Experiences

3

CYCC 2440

Practicum

4.5

CYCC 2450

CYCC Practice: Advanced

3

CYCC 2460

Family Violence and Abuse

3

   

13.5

* Students who have successfully completed all of the following 4 courses

are exempt from taking CFCS 2432 and will take 3 credits of University Transfer elective(s) instead.  

 

Year 3

Semester V

Course

Title

Credits

CYCC 3350

CYC Practice in Child Protection

3

CYCC 3340

Developmental Theory and CYC Practice with Children

3

CYCC 3520

Professional Child and Youth Care: Theory and Practice

3

CYCC 4423

Research Methods in Child & Youth Care

3

 

Total credits

12

Semester VI

Course

Title

Credits

CYCC 4425

Data Analysis in Child & Youth Care

3

CYCC 3341

Developmental Theory and CYC Practice with Youth

3

CYCC 3621

Critical Issues in Current CYC Practice

3

UT Elective **

University Transferable elective

3

UT Elective **

University Transferable elective

3

 

Total credits

15

 Year 4

Semester VII

Course

Title

Credits

CYCC 4410

Advanced Supervised Practicum Part I

4.5

CFCS 3900

International Studies

3

CYCC 4467

Advanced Skills with Individuals in Child and Youth Care

3

CYCC 4468

Advanced Leadership Skills with Groups in CYC Organizations

3

UT Elective **

University Transferable elective

3

 

Total credits

16.5

Semester VIII

Course

Title

Credits

CYCC 4411

Advanced Supervised Practicum Part II

4.5

CYCC 4469

Advanced Skills with Families in CYC

3

CYCC 4470

Development of Attachment

3

UT Elective **

University Transferable elective

3

UT Elective **

University Transferable elective

3

 

Total credits

16.5

 **No more than 6.0 elective credits can come from courses in the Faculty of Applied Community Studies.

 

Total Credits

120

 

CERTIFICATE IN ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONS IN CYC PATHWAY INTO BA IN CYC: 

Course requirements for the Certificate in Academic Foundations in CYC as a pathway to the Child and Youth Care Degree Program are as follows: 

Course Requirements                                                                               Credits
ENGL 1130, and CMNS 1110, or CMNS 1115 or any other UT ENGL 6 Credits
1 UT course in Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science 3 Credits
1 UT Lab Science 3-5 Credits 
PSYC 1130 or Equivalent 3 Credits
UT Arts and /or Science Courses 6 Credits
CYCC 1220 Counseling and Relationship Building with Children 3 Credits

CYCC 1141 Introduction to CYC Practice (+) or 

CYCC 1142 Introduction to Aboriginal Child, Youth and Family Practice

3 Credits
CFCS 2432 Understanding Aboriginal Perspectives and Experiences 3 Credits

To register in any CYCC or FACS (also listed as CFCS) courses in the Certificate in Academic Foundations, students should contact the FACS Program Advisor.

Notes:

  • A University Transfer (UT) course is one that transfers to one or more of the five Research Universities in BC: SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC or UVIC.
  • A laboratory science course is one in which a substantial component of instruction involves the study of natural phenomena in laboratory or field work. 
  • Arts courses are available in the Faculty of Language, Literature and Performing Arts as well as in the Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences.  Science courses are available in the Faculty of Science and Technology. 

Once students have both completed the CAF CYC and been accepted into the BA in CYC, they will meet with the Program Advisor to determine a path to complete the degree.  

 

Indigenous Pathway

Students who complete courses in the Indigenous Pathway will receive substitute credits as follows:

Indigenous Pathway course title: Will substitute for:
CFCS 1112: Working in Communities CFCS 1110: Introduction to Community
CYCC 1142 or CFCS 1142: Introduction to Aboriginal Child, Youth and Family Practice CYCC 1141: Introduction to Child and Youth Care Practice
CYCC 2212 or CFCS 2212: Aboriginal Children, Youth and Families: Transforming Legislation and Policies CYCC 2211: Professional Community: Policies, Standards, Children and Families
CYCC 2332 or CFCS 2332: Strengthening the Family Spirit - Working from Aboriginal Perspectives with Elders' Teachings CYCC 2333: Change and Development: Working from a Family Perspective
CYCC 1242 or CFCS 1242: Practicum or CYCC 1240: Practicum (in an Indigenous organization or program mainly serving Indigenous children, youth, and/or families). CYCC 1240: Practicum

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

FAQs

Child and Youth Care Counsellors (CYCC) work with children, youth and families who are experiencing social, emotional or behavioural stress. What distinguishes CYCC from other helping professions is that we work with people in their daily environments.

This career involves dealing with people. That means that good interpersonal skills are a must. This field also involves dealing with people who are experiencing stress and crisis in their lives. Many of the children and youth we work with present very challenging behaviours. To thrive you need to be able to deal with stress and challenging behaviours. You also need to understand the difference between being a caring helper and being a rescuer. If you need people to need you, this is not the profession for you.

Being an effective Child and Youth Care Counsellor also involves an ongoing commitment to your own personal growth. The people we work with constantly challenge our notions of who we are.

The Faculty of Applied Community Studies offers specialized upgrading classes for students looking to enter human services programs at Douglas. If you do not meet the English language entrance requirement, this is a good option for you. See Upgrade for Human Service Programs for more information.

Yes. Both the diploma and degree programs are offered on a part-time basis.

The Child and Youth Care Counsellor Diploma is a two-year program that will provide you with a diploma upon completion. It will prepare you for a variety of jobs in the child and youth care field. If you complete the diploma, you can also transfer into third year of the degree program at Douglas or into a related degree program at a number of other universities.

The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care is an additional two years of study that you can complete after you complete the two-year Diploma program (4 years total). Earning your degree will allow you to work in more advanced and higher-paying jobs in the child and youth care field, as well as open more doors for further continuing your education.

Yes. All the CYC degrees in British Columbia are considered equivalent. University of Victoria, Malaspina University College, University College of the Fraser Valley and Douglas College all offer equivalent degrees. All of the programs are members of the Child and Youth Care Educators Consortium and teach to the same learning outcomes. The programs work in partnership with other institutions in British Columbia and Alberta that offer CYC diploma and degree programs.

The Indigenous Child and Youth Care pathway is an optional entry point within the degree program. It is made up of several specialized courses and a practicum that you take in place of other courses in your second year. For more details, see the FACS Indigenous Pathway department page.

There is no standard rate of pay. At the starting end, some private contractors pay about $18 per hour. At the higher end, unionized settings pay $22 to $29 per hour. Degree graduates working in supervisory or advanced positions can earn significantly higher salaries.

Practicums are supervised worksite learning sessions. You will go and work in a child and youth care setting, giving you the opportunity to practice skills learned in the classroom. Both the diploma and degree program include practicums. For more information, see the Practicum page.

Surveys of Child and Youth Care graduates show virtually 100% working in the field within 3 months of graduation (graduates not working were continuing their education)."Douglas College has built a strong relationship with us as an employer. We have great respect for the faculty and are impressed by the program content and learning environment. We look forward to continuing to hire Douglas graduates." - Tim Agg, Executive Director, PLEA Community Services Society

According to a government study, the demand for grads is driven by 2 main factors: many current workers are retiring plus employers are seeking higher levels of training.

"Industry sources report that there is a surplus of workers who have insufficient levels of qualifications. Therefore, employment opportunities are much better for those workers with appropriate post secondary education." (Source: Work Futures)

Indigenous Pathway

The FACS Indigenous Pathway offers four courses where you can earn credits towards a Child and Youth Care Degree. These four courses have equivalency in the Child and Youth Care Diploma. Students across the College and community are welcome to take these courses based on availability.

Courses are taught by First Nations and Métis faculty with elders' support, and have been developed with the guidance of our partners at Vancouver Native Health, Elders and our Advisory Circle members. For more information see the FACS Indigenous Pathway department page

More Information

Tuition Deposit

When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.

Career Pathways

Child and youth care practitioners work in schools, community centres, parent-child education settings, residential settings, programs for street-involved youth, addictions services, and a variety of other settings. Degree graduates find additional employment options in government settings and team leader or supervisory positions in community settings. 

Career opportunities include:

  • Addictions Worker 
  • Case Manager/Mental Health Coordinator 
  • Child and Youth Worker/Child Welfare Worker 
  • Community Rehabilitation Worker 
  • Early Childhood Supervisor 
  • Family Service Worker 
  • Indigenous Centre Coordinator 
  • Indigenous Outreach Officer - Social Services 
  • Shelter Program Supervisor 
  • Supervisor, Youth Services 
  • Youth Development Coordinator