Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care
Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology
Key Information
Campus location
Belleville, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 16,337 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* additional program costs: $316 year one | $355 year two | $55 year three
Introduction
This is a new and unique five-semester advanced diploma program.
Child and youth care practitioners offer life-changing support to vulnerable children and youth. Prepare for a rewarding career helping young people by engaging with them in their everyday lives, building on their strengths, and empowering them to make positive changes. As a child and youth care practitioner, you have the opportunity to help youth find their own voice and make a profound difference in their lives.
Expand Your Qualifications at Loyalist
- Accelerated studies may be available in the Social Service Worker (SSWA) program; please contact the coordinator to discuss
- Earn a double diploma in another College program, in as little as two semesters
Turn Your Diploma into a Degree
Many universities across Canada and abroad will provide credit recognition for your diploma studies at Loyalist College. The following is a list of agreements that are currently in place. There are many more options, and new agreements are added annually.
- Algoma University – B.A.; B.B.A.; B.Sc.; Bach. Computer Science
- Brock University – various*
- Carleton University – B.A. (Honours)
- Davenport University – B.A. General Business
- Griffith University – Bachelor of Social Work
- Humber College – Bachelor of Child and Youth Care
- Lakehead University – Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Laurentian University – various*
- Laurier Brantford – any honours program
- Nipissing University – various*
- Queen's University – various*
- Royal Roads University – B.A. Justice Studies
- Metropolitan Toronto University – B.A. Child and Youth Care
- Seneca College – Bach. Interdisciplinary Studies
- University of Guelph – B.A.Sc. (Honours) Family and Community Social Services
- Ontario Tech University – B.A. (Honours) Criminology and Justice or Forensic Psychology or Legal Studies; B.A. Adult Education and Digital Technology; Commerce Bridge
- University of Waterloo – various*
- University of Windsor – B.A. (General or Honours); B.A. (Honours) Developmental Psychology or Disability Studies or Psychology; Bachelor of Social Work
- Wilfrid Laurier University – various*
- York University – various*
*Various potential degree pathways. Please confirm details with the receiving institution.
Experiential Learning
- Participate in engaging and relevant learning experiences that prepare you for the child and youth care field. Develop the required knowledge, a rich skillset, and a strong sense of self through learning in both classroom and practicum settings.
- Caring faculty guides learners in developing relational skills and a deep understanding of the wide variety of issues that young people face today.
- Explore the impact of mental health issues, trauma and loss, abuse, violence and poverty on children, youth, and families and learn how to provide inclusive, non-judgmental support to young people from varied backgrounds.
- Loyalist graduates are eligible for professional certification with the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care.
- Learners connect with the local community through practicum experiences, field trips, and class guests sharing professional knowledge and lived experiences.
- Enjoy the benefits of small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio which allows for discussion-based and active learning opportunities.
- Portfolio development offers students one-on-one time with faculty who guide them in setting and achieving their educational goals.
- Personalized guidance from the CYC Practicum Coordinator assists in finding practicum opportunities based on each learner's career aspirations.
- During their time in the program, students can earn industry-valued certifications to add to their professional portfolios, including Triple P Parenting, Living Works START suicide prevention, and DLE (Daily Life Events).
- Authentic learning opportunities and practical workplace experience build confidence in our students and strengthen community partnerships. Students have completed practicums in elementary and secondary schools, specialized classrooms, Bayfield Treatment Centres, Quinte Children’s Homes, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Quinte West Youth Centre, and Children's Mental Health, among other organizations.
Outstanding Faculty Make the Difference
- Faculty with a depth of knowledge in the field share their insights based on current evidence-based practices
- Professors have worked extensively in individual, group and family counselling, crisis intervention, inpatient mental health programs, restorative practices, alternative education, behavioural therapy for children and youth, critical incident impact assessment, and evidence-based interventions concerning sexually aggressive behaviour.
- Learn from teachers’ personal experiences working in mental health and educational settings; correctional and residential treatment facilities; the Children’s Aid Society; Hospital for Sick Children, international experiences; and ongoing private practice
- Highly qualified faculty have experience providing clinical supervision for front-line Child and Youth Care Practitioners. They possess industry certifications including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Instructor; Trauma and Loss School Specialist; Restorative Practices Trainer; Personality Dimensions; Intercultural Communication, Daily Life Events (DLE) Trainer, Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
- Community partnerships support our faculty in facilitating authentic learning opportunities, fostering academic goals and career planning
Peer Mentors
Loyalist CYC recognizes the importance of feeling like you belong and that you can easily access support when needed. Faculty work hard to help learners feel connected and cared for. Another layer of support comes from our unique CYC-specific Peer Mentor program. Select Year 2 CYCs act as Peer Mentors to help us welcome incoming students and provide encouragement and support throughout their first year. Peer Mentors help incoming students to feel comfortable in their new learning environment and share advice based on their own experiences in the program. Peer Mentors are another essential support to help us build a strong and welcoming CYC community.
Ideal Students
Is It for You?
Child and Youth Care Practitioners support people to live their best lives. To do this, they need:
- Empathy and good people skills
- The ability to be open-minded, accepting and non-judgmental
- A strong desire to help others
- A willingness to learn
Admissions
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One
- Child & Youth Development
- Foundations of Child & Youth Care
- Helping Relationships
- Self in CYC Practice
- Supporting Change
- General Education Elective
First Year - Semester Two
- Building Resilience
- Childhood Mental Health
- Legislation for CYCs
- Professional Practice
- Therapeutic Interventions
- General Education Elective
Second Year - Semester Three
- Practice with Families
- Child Abuse Effects and Responses
- Engaging Youth
- Integrative Seminar 1
- Practicum 1
- Service Delivery Process
- Youth Mental Health
Second Year - Semester Four
- Advocacy
- Developing Cultural Humility
- Facilitating Groups
- Integrative Seminar 2
- Practicum 2
- Trauma-Informed Care
- General Education Elective
Second Year - Semester Five
- Practicum 3
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Find Your Career
Child and youth care practitioners work front-line with children, youth and their families as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Settings include:
- School-based programs
- Child welfare and protection
- Group homes and residential treatment facilities
- Community mental health and children’s mental health programs
- Youth outreach centres
- Community-based child and youth development programs
- Home-based care and treatment
- Parent education and family support
- Hospital-based services
- Youth justice programs
- Private practice
Our Grads Get Great Jobs
- Child and Youth Worker, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
- Enhanced Support Worker, Military Family Resource Centre
- Program Manager, Applewood Academy
- Child and Youth Service Worker, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services Agency
- Direct Support Professional, Community Living
- Professor of Child and Youth Care, St. Clair College
- Manager, Children’s Mental Health Services, Belleville
- Enhanced Support Worker, Abigail’s Learning Centre
- Child and Youth Counsellor II, Lutherwood Children’s Mental Health
- Child and Youth Worker, Children’s Mental Health, Belleville
- Program Manager, Boys and Girls Club