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Program Length4 Years
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CredentialBachelor Degree
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Location OfferedNanaimo
Create positive change and help improve the lives of children, youth and families. With a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care a rewarding career can be yours. At VIU you get extensive hands-on training in the classroom. And you complete two 300-hour practicums, so you’ll graduate confident in your ability to work in the challenging CYC field.
As a VIU graduate you’ll be a top candidate for counselling roles in educational, residential and community settings.
Program Overview
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), which prepares students to enter a variety of child and youth care employment settings. These range from early intervention programs to youth corrections programs, child protection and guardianship work, and community-based programs such as day-care, schools, family support and group homes.
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 activity-based interventions. Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural safety skills are integrated throughout the curriculum. The program is offered on a full-time basis.
Child Protection Specialization
A Child Protection Specialization within the program is available for a limited number of students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degree program. Students in the Child Protection Specialization will complete their fourth-year practicum with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency on a child protection team subject to availability. Students completing a specialization are required to complete a total of 900 practicum hours for their degree, in comparison to a total of 850 practicum hours for students who do not complete a specialization. The additional 50 hours are completed during CYC 410, the fourth-year practicum course.
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of practicums available through the Ministry of Children and Family Development then student's GPA in CYC 232, CYC 301, CYC 362, and CYC 310 will be used to determine admittance into the specialization. If necessary, there may also be the possibility of a suitability interview.
Interested students must apply for the specialization once admitted to the program and are required to complete their CYC 410 practicum in a child protection agency. Students may only apply for admittance to the child protection specialization once. They must have all core child and youth care courses completed prior to beginning their practicum.
Child protection practicums are block practicums and are full-time as students are required to complete 400 hours during a 10-12 week term likely during the intersession semester. Students in the Child Protection Specialization will not be eligible to participate in convocation until after the Child Protection Specialization practicum is completed. Practicum locations may occur anywhere on Vancouver Island so travel will likely be required. It is highly recommended that students who plan to complete a Child Protection Specialization have a valid BC Driver’s License. Students are responsible for any travel costs. For further information, please contact the Child and Youth Care Practicum Coordinator and/or CYC Advisors.
About your practicum experience in Child and Youth Care at Vancouver Island University
Field experience is an integral part of the CYC educational experience. Students will complete one 200 hour practicum in second year, one 300 hour practicum in third year, and one 350 hour practicum in fourth year for a total of 850 practicum hours. If students, choose to complete a specialization the fourth year practicum requires students to complete 400 practicum hours. There are a variety of unique practicum experiences available to our students. The VIU Child and Youth Care program has relationships with many agencies and organizations in the field of child and youth care.
Different sites will have different requirements regarding schedules and the amount of time students will need to spend there during practicum. If a student is currently employed, they should be prepared to adjust their schedule to meet the demands of practicum. Practicum is usually approximately 10-15 hours (or approximately two days per week) over a two-semester period. Given the importance of practicum to the educational experience in Child and Youth Care at VIU, students who are working often save up vacation time; others have taken a leave to complete the required practicum hours. 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.
Students completing the Child Protection Specialization are reminded to review the practicum details listed in the section above.
University Credit
Students may apply for admission to the four-year B.A. in Child and Youth Care degree at VIU at all years of the degree, however we normally admit at first and third year. Students who have completed a diploma in a Human Services area may be eligible for third year admission. Students who complete the B.A. in Child and Youth Care may then pursue graduate studies at a number of educational settings.
- 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.
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.
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 $166.40 per credit) | 4,992.00 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,800.00 |
| Total | 7,633.96 |
* 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 $799.77 per credit) | 23,993.10 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,800.00 |
| Total | 26,635.06 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
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Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care has one intake each Fall.
Application Fee:
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Donna Kist Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2526 Email: Donna.Kist@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Manjeet Uppal Phone: 250.740.6468 Email: Manjeet.Uppal@viu.ca
Area Secretary Contact:
Name: Deb Roe, Program Assistant Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 6447 Email: Deb.Roe@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
The program fills quickly and early applicants are given priority. Regular document deadline: August 15, 2025 (Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care; Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care Third Year entry).
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International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Chair Contact:
Name: Manjeet Uppal Phone: 250.746.3564 Email: Manjeet.Uppal@viu.ca
Area Secretary Contact:
Name: Deb Roe, Program Assistant Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 6447 Email: Deb.Roe@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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Graduate Taylor LeBrun is living her dream
VIU's CYC Graduate Taylor LeBrun shares how she found her fit in the Child and Youth Care Program and is living her dream now after graduating with her degree.