Bachelor of Child and Youth Care
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Program Overview
Humber’s Bachelor of Child and Youth Care degree program provides you with the knowledge and skills required for in-depth work with children, youth and families. The program is based on the professional practice of child and youth care supported by the disciplines of psychology, sociology, disability studies, community development, political science and education. The curriculum focuses on the theory and research of relational practice: building relationships to support children and youth in crisis or going through experiences of challenge and change.
You will learn from highly qualified professors, as well as from guest lecturers from the field of child and youth care or community members with lived experiences. You’ll have the unique opportunity to develop key practice skills through faculty supervision in our state-of-the-art interview labs and our therapeutic play lab designed as a children’s activity room and space to support family practice.
Your courses will integrate the study of developmental, preventative and therapeutic approaches in child and youth care and will teach you direct practice methods such as interviewing and counselling, responding to abuse, therapeutic play, and other intervention modalities taught from a strength-based perspective and within a caring, anti-oppressive and anti-racist framework.
The first two years of the program provide you with a comprehensive understanding of child and youth development, as well as current methodologies in child and youth care professional practice. In the final two years, you will be able to engage in courses related to five areas of concentration – youth justice and advocacy, social policy and research, approaches to care, community development and youth engagement, and international perspectives. The curriculum and work-integrated learning experiences throughout the program will support you to select a focus for your final thesis project in the fourth year.
Semester 4 |
|---|
| COUN 2000: Approaches to Care |
| CYC 2300: Child and Youth Care Intervention 2 |
| CYC 2500: Gender and Sexuality |
| PSYC 2600: Psychology of Mental Health and Illness |
| SOCI 1900: Family Dynamics |
Semester 5 |
|---|
| COMU 3200: Community Practice: Working with Indigenous Communities |
| CYC 3000: Disability and Child and Youth Care |
| RSMT 1500: Quantitative Research Methods |
| Select 2 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 6 |
|---|
| COMU 3300: Child and Youth Engagement and Participation |
| CYC 3500: Research Methods in Child and Youth Care |
| CYC 3510: Race and Anti-racism |
| RSMT 2500: Qualitative Research Methods |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Work Experience - SEM 6C |
|---|
| CYC 4000: Field Experience 2 - Bachelor of Child and Youth Care |
| CYC 4001: Child and Youth Care Seminar |
Semester 7 |
|---|
| COMU 4001: Senior Level Thesis Project 1 |
| COMU 4100: Program Management |
| COUN 3000: Advanced Counselling |
| Select 2 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Work-Integrated Learning
Work-integrated Learning is essential in connecting theory to practice. Students will work with established community partners and school boards during the program. Opportunities are arranged with the help of a dedicated field advisor. You will complete two courses throughout the program: in Semester 3, you will begin to develop your skills working in the community with children, youth and families during this first 230-hour field experience. The final 520-hour field experience occurs between third and fourth year of the program in the summer semester between May and August, with an option for an early start in January for those with already existing opportunities.
The combination of field experiences will enable you to practice building therapeutic relationships, role model your professional skills, and apply academic theory to child and youth care practice.
Industry and Community Partnerships
Humber’s Faculty of Social & Community Services has earned an excellent reputation within the child and youth care community and profession. Our community partners include:
- Major children’s mental health organizations
- Children’s aid organizations
- Street-involved youth support networks
- Office of the Ontario Child Advocate
Program Events
Humber Bachelor of Child and Youth Care students have the opportunity to attend and host many industry events throughout the year. Students are encouraged to become involved in the multitude of program and school activities that promote professional development and practice.
Recorded Information Sessions
Watch our recorded information sessions to learn more about the program and how it can boost your career.
Who is the Program for?
Learn more about the Bachelor of Child and Youth Care and if it's right for you.
About the Courses
Program co-ordinator Coura Niang discusses the courses and learning outcomes.
Mature or Transfer Student Pathways
Students can transition into this program in a variety of ways.
Work-Integrated Learning
Experiential learning opportunities are a great way for students to practice their skills hands-on in the field.
Program Pathways
There are multiple careers and pathways available upon graduation.
Alumni Testimonials
Ashell A Campbell
Ashell attended both the diploma and degree CYC programs, and after graduating in 2020 she was hired full time by one of her field placement employers. Read More
Heather Perl
As a recent graduate, Heather has applied her skills and learning from Humber as a summer camp counsellor for disabled children. Read More
Sean Guptill
Sean has found success after graduation, starting an adult day program called Got Your Back (GYB), and is also an active board member of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC). Read MoreExpert Faculty
This community-oriented program is delivered by experienced professors who are active in the child and youth care profession. Drawing on years of professional and academic experience, your professors will help you learn the skills and knowledge you will need to help children, youth and families develop positive strategies for change in their lives and communities.
View CredentialsCharlotte Serpa
MEd (Adult Education - Community Development) – OISE, University of Toronto
Bachelor of Community Welfare (Youth Work) – University of Western Sydney, Australia
Diploma (Child and Youth Worker) – Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Chrissy Deckers
EdD (Social Justice Education) - OISE, University of Toronto
MA (Child and Youth Studies) - Brock University
BA (Psychology) (Honours) - Wilfred LaurierUniversity
Coura Niang
BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst)
M.ADs (Applied Disability Studies) - Brock University
B.A. (Child and Youth Care) - Ryerson University
Cristina Guerrero
Ph.D. - OISE/University of Toronto (Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development)
M.A. - University of Toronto (Spanish Language and Literature)
B.Ed. - OISE/University of Toronto (Intermediate/Senior Education in Social Science and Spanish)
Hon. B.A. - University of Toronto (Political Science and Spanish)
LLM - Osgoode Hall Law School, York University (Constitutional Law) (in progress)
Dana Costin
PhD (School and Clinical Child Psychology) - OISE, University of Toronto
MA (School and Clinical Child Psychology) - OISE, University of Toronto
BSc (Combined Honours Biology and Psychology) - York University
Janet Seow
PhD ( Children and Youth Studies ) - York University
MA (Children and Youth Studies) - York University
BA (Children Studies) (Honors) - York University
CYW (Child and Youth Worker) - Centennial College
MSc (Accounting) - University of the West Indies (UWI)
BSc (Management Studies) (Honors) - University of the West Indies (UWI)
Katherine Sloss
PhD (candidate) (Adult Education - Community Development) - OISE, University of Toronto
MEd (Adult Education - Community Development) - OISE, University of Toronto
BA (Child and Youth Care) - Ryerson University
Diploma (Child and Youth Care Worker) - Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Kelly Cassano
MSc (Child and Youth Care) - University of Strathclyde
Shaheen Ariefdien
MA (Social Anthropology) - York University
BA (Social Anthropology) - University of Cape Town, South Africa
Diploma (Child and Youth Care - Accelerated) (Honours) - Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Shannon Brown
Ph.D. (student) (Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work) - University of Toronto
MA (Child and Youth Care) – Toronto Metropolitan University
BA (Criminology) – University of Toronto
Diploma (Child and Youth Work – Accelerated) – Humber College
Tina Lackner
Ph.D. (Philosophy in Human Relations, Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy) - Martin Luther University - In Progress
MSc (Family Work) – Nova Southeastern University, USA
BA (Child and Youth Care) – Ryerson Polytechnic University
Diploma (Child and Youth Worker) (Honours) – Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Wolfgang Vachon
PhD (Child and Youth Care) - University of Victoria
MEd (Adult Education, Community, International, and Transformative Learning) – OISE, University of Toronto
BFA (Drama in Education) – Concordia University, PQ
Your Career
Our program allows you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, youth and communities.
You may find yourself in a variety of roles such as:
- advocacy
- child and youth or family support
- child welfare and protection
- children’s mental health services
- community development
- education
- policy development
- research
Employment opportunities exist in a variety of settings such as:
- children's mental health organizations
- private and public schools
- national or international organizations
- municipal, provincial and federal government agencies
- non-governmental organizations
- urban and rural communities
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB)
Graduates may apply to be certified by the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (North America). Additional requirements and/or costs may apply.
Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care
Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC) and the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations (CCCYCA).
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Related Programs
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
Child and Youth Care
Watch the video to see how this program is firmly grounded in the disciplines of child and youth care psychology, sociology, community development, political science and education.
News Feed
Year-end Thesis Poster Presentations
Program Highlights
FSCS degree-level programs hosted their annual thesis poster presentations.
Spotlight on Community Partners June 2024
Work-Integrated Learning & Community Partners
Learn about our community partners for the Social Services Worker, Child & Youth Care (degree & diploma), and Community and Justice Services programs.
COIL Abroad: Denmark
Global Learning & International Initiatives
During Winter Reading Week, a group of eight students from degree programs across the Faculty of Social and Community Services, flew to Denmark.
No news at this time.
Ministry Consent
Humber College has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting April 26, 2022. Humber shall ensure that all students admitted to this above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber Polytechnic reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
