Child and Youth Care

Vancouver Island University · Sep 7, 2027 domestic intake: Nanaimo.

Social Work and Community Practice: blue ink subject illustration

4 years
Duration (years)
4 Years
VIU official program and degree requirements
Practicum placements
Work experience
Three practicums begin in second year: at least 850 hours, or 900 hours in the child protection specialization.
University work-study information

Deadlines

March 2027

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
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29	30

Next deadlineWednesday, March 31, 2027

2 deadlines

Application closes
2027 entry · International; entry Sep 7, 2027; Nanaimo
Official deadline
General undergraduate application
2027 entry · Most direct-entry bachelor's degrees
Applications open October 1, 2026.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close datesEducationPlannerBC, deadlines are set per institutionRecurring annual · Every year

No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close dates
No central B.C. deadline
Each institution and sometimes each program sets its own dates

Full source wording

Verbatim: "Each institution sets their own application open and close dates. These dates also may vary based on the program you are applying to. You can use the search database to explore programs you are interested in applying to or visit the institution's website directly. Please refer to the institution's website or contact the Admissions/Registrar's Office directly for application deadlines and details." EducationPlannerBC is the single application service for B.C.'s 25 public post-secondary institutions but publishes no deadline dates of its own.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Deadline to submit final transcripts is July 31, 2027.Required documents2027 entry

Domestic (Canadian)
entry Sep 7, 2027
Nanaimo
Deadline to submit final transcripts is July 31, 2027.

SourceChecked Oct 11, 2026

Regular document deadline: April 15, 2027 (Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care; Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care Third Year entry).Required documents2027 entry

International
entry Sep 7, 2027
Nanaimo
Regular document deadline: April 15, 2027 (Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care; Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care Third Year entry).

SourceChecked Oct 11, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

Check the university’s requirements for your province and applicant category.

Application steps

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 2Apply through EducationPlannerBC
- Create your application and select this program.
EducationPlannerBCEducationPlannerBC
Step 3Official high-school transcript
- VIU uses the transcript to verify graduation, English and program-specific course requirements.
VIU undergraduate admission requirementsVIU undergraduate admission requirements
Step 4$46.98 domestic application fee
- Non-refundable and paid for each application.
VIU application feesVIU application fees
Step 5Apply to VIU Child and Youth Care for the entry year you qualify for.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 6Submit records from every secondary and post-secondary institution attended.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 7Submit your education/work resume and 3–4-page double-spaced personal profile answering all five questions.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 8Have two referees complete the VIU reference form and return it directly to Admissions/Registration.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information
Step 9Attend an interview if requested; complete placement clearance and first-aid requirements before fieldwork.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
VIU exact programme admission and intake informationVIU exact programme admission and intake information

Applicant pathways

Academic entry categories

Canadian citizens and permanent residents; meet one named entry category, plus programme prerequisites

Canadian citizens and those with permanent residence status in Canada are eligible for admission to Academic programs if they meet one of the following conditions:
graduation from a BC secondary school, or equivalent, with a minimum “C” grade in either English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12;
previous degree from a recognized university;
visiting student from a college or university (a “Letter of Permission” from the home institution is required);
a transfer student from a college or university (at least 24 transferable university-level credits completed);
academic mature student category: 21 years of age (or will turn 21 during their first semester) and has a minimum “C” grade in either English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12.

First-year degree entry

First-year BA Child and Youth Care applicants; required profile, resume and references remain in the application groups

Meet VIU general admission requirements.

Intake application conditions

Domestic (Canadian); entry Sep 7, 2027; Nanaimo

Accepting Late Applications: No
Testing Required: No
Document Deadline: Deadline to submit final transcripts is July 31, 2027.

Intake application conditions

International; entry Sep 7, 2027; Nanaimo

Document Deadline: Regular document deadline: April 15, 2027 (Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care; Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care Third Year entry).

Programme application documents

BA Child and Youth Care applicants; subject and prior-study conditions differ by entry year

Submit transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended.
Submit an education/work resume, the personal profile and two completed reference forms.
An interview may be requested after document review; it is not an unconditional requirement.
Experience with children, youth or families is preferred but not required.

Personal profile format and topics

Child and Youth Care applicants preparing the required profile

Answer the five published questions in 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages.
Cover your reasons/career goals, handling professional demands, a community social problem and possible response, study habits, and balancing programme commitments.

Two reference forms and submission

Child and Youth Care applicants and their two referees

Complete the applicant section before sending the form to two referees; each referee completes and returns it directly to VIU Admissions/Registration.
The form recommends professionally employed or volunteer referees in CYC/Human Services who have supervised relevant work; do not turn this preference into required prior employment.

Later-year entry is separately assessed

CYC Year 2 or Year 3 applicants only

Year 2 requires 24 of the first-year 30 credits including ENGL 115, 6 Human Development credits and CYC 100/101/152/165, or an accepted Human Services certificate meeting those equivalencies.
Year 3 requires an accredited Human Services diploma meeting programme requirements, including 6 English and 6 Human Development credits with C+ in each; vocational/continuing-studies awards are excluded.
Year 3 GPA is minimum 2.33/C+ on the latest 24 completed credits, with C+ in the named prerequisite courses. Diploma block transfer is at most 60 credits and does not guarantee admission.

Placement clearance and first aid

CYC students preparing for fieldwork or practicum, not first-year academic admission averages

Complete the VIU-requested ministry criminal record check before placement; an RCMP check is insufficient.
Maintain Standard First Aid with Infant/Child CPR certification during the academic year or practicum period.

Selection and programme advising

Child and Youth Care applicants

Enrolment is limited; minimum requirements do not guarantee admission.
Elective requirements depend on accepted transfer credits or prior VIU coursework.
Discuss the programme and intended route with a VIU advisor before applying.

Professional codes of ethics

Students admitted to Child and Youth Care

Follow the Code of Ethics of the Child and Youth Care Association of British Columbia and the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations.

Diploma exit and individual course access

BA Child and Youth Care students seeking the diploma, or non-programme students taking individual courses

BA students meeting all first- and second-year requirements may apply for the Child and Youth Care Diploma.
Students outside the programme may take at most three CYC courses with prerequisites and available seats.
Taking individual CYC courses does not guarantee programme admission.

Domestic Academic admission categories

Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents seeking Academic programmes

The public Academic policy recognizes BC secondary graduation or equivalent with at least C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12; a prior degree from a recognized university; or transfer status with at least 24 completed transferable university-level credits. A visiting student instead requires a home-institution Letter of Permission and is not thereby admitted to a degree.
These are general Academic categories. Programme-specific entry still applies, including separate third-year entry requirements in Education, Criminology, Child and Youth Care and Tourism Management. International students follow the separately linked international policy, which is not certified here. No held grade or programme minimum is changed.

Domestic Academic mature admission

Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 21, or turning 21 during the first semester

The Academic mature category also requires at least C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12. Individual course prerequisites and programme requirements still apply. The different age 19 rule for Trades/Applied Technology is not applied to these Academic degrees.

Unclassified undergraduate study before programme admission

Students who do not meet a general Academic admission category

An applicant may take academic classes as an Unclassified Undergraduate after BC secondary graduation/equivalent, or at age 19 or turning 19 in the first semester. Students must meet each course prerequisite.
Unclassified status does not admit the student to a specific university programme. Registration follows other Academic programme students and course availability is limited. It does not promise subsequent programme admission.

Previous-degree applicant documentation

Applicants seeking Academic admission on a previous recognized university degree

Applicants admitted on a previous degree must still satisfy course prerequisites. In most cases a secondary-school transcript is also required to confirm those prerequisites. This route does not itself certify entry to a programme with separate admission criteria.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

Program Outline: * 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.
Completion Requirements: In order to graduate from the BA in CYC, a "C+" or higher is required in all CYC core courses, including CYC 212 and 232, University English requirements (6 credits), Human Development requirements (6 credits).
The suggested plan spans Fall and Spring for CYC 310 in Year 3 and CYC 410 in Year 4.

References

Grades and academic standing

Graduate with at least 120 university-level credits and an overall average of at least C+.

References

Program facts

Entering averageNot published

The university does not publish a comparable percentage minimum or entering-average range for this program.

Work experiencePracticum placements

Three practicums begin in second year: at least 850 hours, or 900 hours in the child protection specialization.

The programme lists CYC 210, CYC 310 and CYC 410 supervised practicums beginning in Year 2. VIU describes at least 850 hours of work experience, or 900 hours for the Child Protection specialisation. CYC 310 and 410 run across Fall and Spring; Child Protection field placement is in intersession and requires CYC 403 at C+ or higher.

Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

Child Protection Specialization

Take the required Child Protection course and complete a specialized field placement.

Published requirements

Courses

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes.

Year 19 listed

VIU labels this a suggested full-time schedule and warns not all courses are offered each year at each campus. Published requirement group, including alternatives where listed. Native course definitions supply current titles and credits. Unnamed elective credits and course-selection restrictions are separate; this is not a complete timetable. ENGL 125 - (Literature and Culture) or , ENGL 135 (Literature and Criticism) or , Equivalent from within the degree English requirement. | 3; Elective | 6; Total Credits | 30

CYC 111Child Development3 credits
An introduction to the study of child development (0- 12 years) focusing on the domains of physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual.
VIU native course definition
CYC 152Interpersonal Communication Skills in a Therapeutic Context3 credits
An introduction to the dynamics and skills associated with effective interpersonal skills foundational to helping in Human Services work.
VIU native course definition
CYC 100Introduction to Professional Child and Youth Care Practice3 credits
Introduction to the profession's history and current status as a profession.
VIU native course definition
ENGL 115University Writing and Research3 credits
An introduction to critical thinking and reading, academic writing, and research skills, consistent with the conditions and expectations students encounter as readers and writers at university.
VIU native course definition
CYC 165Introductions to Group Work in Child & Youth Care Practice3 credits
An exploration of various theoretical approaches, Aboriginal philosophies and techniques for understanding and working with, and within, groups of children, youths and/or adults.
VIU native course definition
CYC 101Theoretical Foundations in Child and Youth Care3 credits
An introduction to theoretical orientations to change, select theories, practice models and their constructs foundational to Child and Youth Care professional practice.
VIU native course definition
CYC 112Adolescent Development3 credits
A continuation of the study of child development (13-30 years) focusing on the domains of physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual.
VIU native course definition
ENGL 125Literature and Culture3 credits
An introduction to the concept of literary genres that explores the relation between literature and its historical and cultural contexts.
VIU native course definition
ENGL 135Literature and Criticism3 credits
An introduction to different ways of approaching and analyzing literary works to develop awareness of the relation between literature and criticism.
VIU native course definition

Year 28 listed

CYC 231An Introduction to Family Development and Support3 credits
This course examines the changing nature of family life in contemporary Canadian society.
VIU native course definition
CYC 212Introduction to Activity Based Child and Youth Care Practice3 credits
An introduction to the use of arts, games, play, and nature based experiences in Child and Youth Care practice.
VIU native course definition
CYC 362Child Abuse and Neglect Concerns3 credits
An overview of the topic of child abuse and neglect and family violence in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities as it relates to Child and Youth Care practice.
VIU native course definition
CYC 252Fundamental Counselling Skills3 credits
A continued exploration of communication skills in Human Services work with an emphasis on integrating a counselling model.
VIU native course definition
CYC 262Relational Youth Work3 credits
An exploration of the cultural, psychological, and sociological contexts within which youth grow and mature.
VIU native course definition
CYC 232Diverse Abilities in Child and Youth Care3 credits
An introduction into diverse abilities within the context of CYC practice.
VIU native course definition
HHS 276Trauma and Resiliency Across the Lifespan3 credits
This course is an introduction to trauma and trauma-and-violence-informed practice.
VIU native course definition
CYC 210Introductory Supervised Practicum6 credits
A practicum course combining faculty support with field practice and mentorship where students will demonstrate relational, culturally safe, developmentally responsive, purposeful, ethical and professional CYC practice and design and lead group activities with children and/or youth. (0:2:0 -200 for 30 weeks)
VIU native course definition

Year 37 listed

CYC 324Community and Program Development in Child and Youth Care Practice3 credits
This course examines the role of the CYC practitioner in influencing community and macro level environments that affect children, youth and families.
VIU native course definition
CYC 321Contact and Colonization: Implications for CYC Practice.3 credits
This course will critically examine the historical and ongoing process of colonization and its impacts on Aboriginal peoples in British Columbia.
VIU native course definition
CYC 323Research in the Field of Child and Youth Care3 credits
Introduces students to ways in which knowledge in the CYC field is developed and helps them to foster skills in the organization and analysis of research in the professional literature.
VIU native course definition
CYC 310Supervised Practicum9 credits
A practicum course combining faculty support with field practice and mentorship where students will demonstrate the effective integration of CYC concepts, theories and skills in communication, professional practice, purposeful practice and critical reflective practice, with particular emphasis on cultural safety, ethical dimensions of practice and therapeutic program development and facilitation. (0:2:0 -300 for 30 weeks)
VIU native course definition
CYC 350Law and Child And Youth Care Practice3 credits
Examination of the legal system; its strengths and limitations, as well as select laws affecting children and youth, family law, human rights, and youth restorative justice become the focus of this course.
VIU native course definition
CYC 301Applying Assessment and Service Planning in CYC Practice.3 credits
An examination of professional practice with a focus on assessment and service planning processes with children, youth and caregivers.
VIU native course definition
CYC 361Understanding Substance Use in Child and Youth Care Practice3 credits
An introduction to the spectrum of substance use including theoretical and practical approaches.
VIU native course definition

Year 47 listed

CYC 466Therapeutic Assessment Work with Families3 credits
An analysis of current issues facing families and the application of practice principles is the focus of this course.
VIU native course definition
HSD 425Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis3 credits
An opportunity to gain grounding in techniques commonly used in the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data.
VIU native course definition
CYC 410Advanced Supervised Practicum9 credits
A practicum course combining faculty support with field practice and mentorship where students will demonstrate critically reflective, purposeful, culturally safe, and ethical professional CYC practice with particular emphasis on advanced therapeutic CYC practice, leadership and advocacy with individuals, families/caregivers, communities, and organizations that promote social justice. (0:2:0 -350 for 30 weeks)
VIU native course definition
CYC 476Therapeutic Intervention Plans with Families3 credits
A continuation of CYC 466, focusing on the application of knowledge and the development of an intervention plan based on a family assessment.
VIU native course definition
CYC 424Child And Youth Mental Health3 credits
A study of CYC practice with children, youth and families where mental health considerations are present.
VIU native course definition
CYC 475Advanced Activity Based CYC Practice in Groups3 credits
An advanced, experiential, activity based group practice course in CYC.
VIU native course definition
CYC 403Best Practice in Child Safety3 credits
Following evidence informed practice students will focus on assessment, intervention, service planning, permanency planning and evaluation when working with child abuse and neglect concerns where a legislated response is required.
VIU native course definition

Elective choices

The published full-time plan lists 3 elective credits in each of Years 2, 3 and 4. Any university-level course may count as an elective.

Study locations

Published domestic intake location: Sep 7, 2027 domestic intake: Nanaimo.viu exact programme published domestic intake location
Teaching locations: Nanaimo, with online and hybrid study options. The domestic intake comments specify blended synchronous delivery from September 2026, allowing campus attendance or live online participation. Practicum locations are separate; not all courses are available each year at each campus.VIU current published programme outline

References

Careers

Career examples

Child and youth care worker
Child protection worker
Youth and family substance use counsellor
Community-based youth program leader
Adventure-based youth program worker
Youth justice worker
Health authority child, youth and family support worker

Published employers

Ministry for Children and Family Development

Published employers

Scope and qualifications

Career examples and a potential employer explicitly listed by VIU for CYC graduates. Further counselling and teacher-education degrees are separate postgraduate options.