Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 2 Years

Program credential icon Credential

  • Diploma

Make a positive difference in the lives children, youth and families as a child and youth care (CYC) worker. The CYC job market continues to grow, and VIU graduates are in high demand. The VIU diploma program prepares you to work in educational, residential and community settings across Canada.

The diploma includes 350 hours of practicum experience, which gives you practical training and networking opportunities.


The Child and Youth Care Diploma Program

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/caregivers 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). Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural safety skills are highlighted throughout the curriculum.

The program is offered on a full-time as well as a part-time basis. Students who successfully complete the two-year program, including a practicum, will be eligible for VIU’s Diploma in Child and Youth Care. 

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 200-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 8-10 hours (or approximately one to 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. 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.

Below is a suggested schedule that is based on full-time attendance.

All courses may not be available in each academic year at each campus. Some courses may be taken prior to admission to the program where space is available and when prerequisites have been completed.

 

Year 1Credits
CYC 111 - (Child Development)3
CYC 152 - (Interpersonal Communication Skills in a Therapeutic Context)3
CYC 100 - (Introduction to Professional Child and Youth Care Practice)3
ENGL 115* - (University Writing and Research)3
ENGL 125 - (Literature and Culture)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
Elective6
Total Credits30

* 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 2Credits
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 210* - (Introductory Supervised Practicum)6
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
Elective3
Total Credits30
 

CYC 210 is completed over the Fall and Spring semesters.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for a Diploma in Child and Youth Care, students must have completed at least 60 credits, have completed all admission requirements and have completed all required Child and Youth Care courses. A minimum overall “C+” average on all credits and a minimum “C+” in each individual required course is necessary to progress in the program and to qualify for graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements for the diploma are met. Students are encouraged to consult the Child and Youth Care program Advisor for information and guidance.

Enrolment in the Child and Youth Care Diploma program at VIU is limited. Students who wish to take individual courses without being admitted to the program may do so where 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 advising@viu.ca before pursuing application.

  • Enrolment is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
  • To be eligible for admission at first year to the VIU Diploma program, students must have completed Grade 12 (or have mature student status), with a minimum of “C” in English 12 or equivalent.
  • To be eligible for admission at second year to the VIU Diploma program, students must have completed 30 university credits including completion of the Degree English Requirement and 6 credits of Human Development (normally CYC 111/112), and the following Child and Youth Care Courses (or equivalent of) CYC 100101152, and 165 or students must have a completed a recognized Human Services Certificate program (granted 30 credits maximum) that includes the English and Human Development and CYC courses or equivalency requirements as stated above.
  • The overall GPA of students will be a minimum of 2.33 (“C+”), calculated on the most recent 24 credits completed, and with a minimum “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.
  • A 300-word statement which focuses on what is important to the applicant about working with children, youth and/or families.
  • 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.
  • Criminal Record Check. Fieldwork and/or practica will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students by mail regarding the requirements for a 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 (mid-April to end of May).
  • 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 The Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations.

Graduates of the program are prepared for the general practice of child and youth care work in community and residential settings across Canada.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

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 (4% of tuition) 199.68
Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit) 220.50
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies 1,570.00
Notes

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 (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester) 23,993.10
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) 926.80
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) 1,100.00
Notes

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.

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.

Visit the Department Website

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.