Child and Youth Care Counsellor, 2-year Diploma

Location(s): Main Campus (Vermilion), Face-to-Face (F2F), Online Asynchronous

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

This diploma program prepares individuals to work with resilient children, youth, and their families. It provides students with an understanding of abuse, addiction, family systems, etc. Students will learn strategies for working with vulnerable children, youth, and families. Students experience four practica which assist them in applying course information to practical situations.

The Child and Youth Care Counsellor Program qualifies graduates for employment in the following settings:

Youth Centres
Residential care
Rehabilitation centres
Mental health and wellness programs
Early intervention programs
Family and community support programs

Admission Requirements:

High school diploma with a minimum of:

65% in English 30-1 or 80% in English 30-2

Out-of-province applicants or those not meeting the admission requirements should refer to the Admissions section of the website.

Graduation Requirements:

Students completing the requirements listed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 will be awarded a Child and Youth Care Counsellor diploma.

Curriculum:

Year I Required Courses

CO 118 - Communication Skills 3 Credits
HS 114 - Lifespan Studies I 3 Credits
HS 115 - Foundations of Inclusion 3 Credits
HS 155 - Positive Behaviour Supports 3 Credits
HS 202 - Community Advocacy & Partnerships 3 Credits
HS 214 - Lifespan Studies II 3 Credits
HS 240 - Family Studies 3 Credits
HS 242 - Intercultural Competencies 3 Credits
YC 100 - Child & Youth Care Profession 3 Credits
YC 102 - Building Resiliency 3 Credits
YC 125 - CYCC Field Placement I 5 Credits
YC 225 - CYCC Field Placement II 5 Credits

Total: 40 Credits

Year II Required Courses

HS 225 - Supporting Diversity 3 Credits
HS 230 - Sensory Development 3 Credits
YC 200 - Ethics and Law 3 Credits
YC 202 - Trauma-Informed Practices 3 Credits
YC 203 - Counselling Techniques 3 Credits
YC 205 - Group Processing & Counselling Theory 3 Credits
YC 211 - Family Support & Intervention 3 Credits
YC 215 - Mental Health & Addiction Studies 3 Credits
YC 236 - Assessment and Intervention 3 Credits
YC 325 - CYCC Field Placement III 5 Credits
YC 425 - CYCC Field Placement IV 5 Credits

Sub-Total: 37 Credits

Electives (choose 1)

ASL 101 - American Sign Language Level I Part A 3 Credits
ED 120 - Observation and Play 3 Credits
HS 183 - Personal Assistance Awareness 3 Credits
YC 218 - Animal Assisted Interventions 3 Credits

Total: 40 Credits

Notes:

Field Placement Requirements:

Prior to the first field placement, students are responsible for requesting a criminal record check (with a vulnerable sector check). Practicum agencies will require a clear criminal record check. You are responsible for requesting a criminal record check through the RCMP in your hometown. Students may be required to possess a current First Aid in Childcare Certificate and may require an Intervention Record Check. In the second year of the program, students must be prepared to relocate to larger centres for their third and fourth field placements. Students must be in good standing and meet the 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement to be eligible to complete practicum/ clinical experience.

Opportunities for Further Study:

Lakeland College has agreements with specific institutions to transfer credits from our programs to theirs. Graduates from Lakeland College’s CYCC program receive transfer credit to:

Lakeland College
- Animal Assisted Wellness
- Community Mental Health
Athabasca University - Bachelor of Professional Arts: Human Services - up to 60 credits
MacEwan University -
- Bachelor of Applied Human Services Administration - up to 60 credits
- Bachelor of Child & Youth Care - up to 60 credits
Mount Royal University - Bachelor of Child Studies
University of Calgary - Bachelor of Social Work - up to 30 credits
- Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation
University of Saskatchewan - Bachelor of Arts: Northern Studies major in Aboriginal Public Administration
University of Victoria - Bachelor of Arts: Child & Youth Care - up to 60 credits

For more information, check out links to the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT) www.acat.gov.ab.ca.

Note: If you want to transfer to another institution, you must ensure that you meet the admission requirements of that institution.