Child and Youth Care Vancouver Island University

Overview

Make a positive difference in the life of a child or youth who needs support. Prepare for a rewarding career working with children and families facing a variety of challenges, including abuse, neglect, addiction, or family breakdown. 

After two years, students leave the Child and Youth Care program from Vancouver Island University skilled in the dynamics of neglect and abuse, social service law, child development theory, and group practice. The option of completing the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care is also available.

Students interested in the diploma must apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care. Prior to completion of their first year students must indicate their interest in exiting with their Child and Youth Care Diploma. Upon successful completion of the first two years (60 credits including practicum), students will be eligible to receive the Child and Youth Care Diploma.

The two-year Child and Youth Care diploma program prepares students to be skilled in working with individuals, their families and small groups across a variety of practice settings. General practice in these settings calls for individuals who are willing and able to work cooperatively with other community professionals, and in a variety of multi-disciplinary settings (schools, community, corrections facilities, residential settings). Aboriginal ways of knowing and cultural competency skills are highlighted throughout the curriculum.

About your practicum experience in Child and Youth Care at Vancouver Island University

Field experience is an integral part of the CYC educational experience. Diploma students will complete a 350-hour practicum while in the program. 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 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 Vancouver Island University, students who are working often save up vacation time; others have taken a leave to complete the required practicum hours.