Child and Youth Care Counsellor Mount Royal University

Overview

The Child and Youth Care Counsellor programme at Mount Royal University provides students with the essential skills required to support children, youth, and families facing complex life challenges. This comprehensive degree focuses on building strong therapeutic relationships while developing expertise in mental health, advocacy, and intervention strategies.

Students explore the nuances of adolescent development and trauma-informed care through a curriculum rooted in relational practice. The course prepares individuals to make a meaningful impact in diverse settings, including schools, community programmes, and residential care facilities, ensuring they are ready for professional certification upon graduation.

Instruction is delivered in small class sizes, allowing for personalised support from experienced faculty members.

Why Child and Youth Care Counsellor at Mount Royal University?

Mount Royal University is a student-first undergraduate institution in Alberta, renowned for its supportive professors and hands-on learning environment. The institution emphasises evolving through experience, providing students with the confidence and curiosity needed to shape meaningful futures in Calgary and beyond.

The programme features significant work-integrated learning opportunities, including practicum placements in schools, shelters, and community organisations. These distinctive teaching features allow students to design, implement, and evaluate youth programmes grounded in evidence-based practice while gaining experience with substance use and mental health challenges.

Facilities and partnerships at the university support immersive learning, including Community Service Learning and study abroad options. Students benefit from an environment that encourages critical thinking and pushes boundaries, backed by a faculty dedicated to health, community, and education excellence.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 25604 per year
• National fee: CAD 9200 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Year 1

• Fundamental Skills in Interviewing
• Mental Health and Substance Use Issues
• Profession of Child and Youth Care
• Practicum I

Years 2-4

• Working with Vulnerable Children, Youth and Families
• Child and Youth Care Practice with Families
• Child and Youth Human Rights
• Program Design
• Child Development and Plasticity
• Mental Health Interventions

Careers with Child and Youth Care Counsellor

Graduates of this programme are well-equipped for diverse roles within the social services and education sectors. Many find employment as child and youth care counsellors, family support workers, or inclusion and behavioural support workers, helping to foster resilience in young populations.

Opportunities also exist within the justice system and government agencies, where alumni serve as youth justice workers or child and family services caseworkers. The degree also prepares individuals for leadership positions, such as team leaders, supervisors, and programme designers or evaluators in various care settings.

Industries employing graduates include residential care, school-based support services, and community-led treatment programmes. The practical experience gained during the degree ensures that professionals are ready to advocate for young people and provide therapeutic support in high-demand environments.