Child & Youth Care (CYC)
Campus
Duration
6 Semesters (3 Years)
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
School
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Learn more about Seneca’s program delivery options.
About the Program
This three-year advanced diploma program will provide you with a full range of intervention, prevention and treatment strategies to facilitate a positive change for children, adolescents and families in need of emotional, social, developmental or mental health support. You will receive in-depth training and education in behavioural theories, practices and a foundational understanding of assessment, intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and activities with children and youth.
As a graduate of this program who meets GPA requirements, you are eligible to pursue internal pathway opportunities at Seneca, including the Honours Bachelor of Child Development and Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. You are also eligible to pursue Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health — a unique pathway that allows you to earn a degree within two years (4 semesters plus a work-term) after completion of a summer bridging stream, which includes the following courses:
- MHB399: Advanced Studies in Community Mental Health
- MHB499: Health and Community Psychology
- MHB799: Trauma Methods and practices in Community Mental Health
Skills
Throughout the course of this advanced diploma program you will develop skills in:
- Prevention, intervention and treatment strategies
- Treatments, counselling and therapeutic theories
- Understanding in adolescent development, violence, child and youth management, diversity, therapeutic activities, group and family work
Work Experience
Field Placement
As a student of this program, if you meet all the academic requirements, you will have the opportunity to participate in approximately 1,200 hours of field placement during semesters 3 to 6 in a professional setting. Unpaid field placements will take place throughout semester 3, two days a week, while semester 4, 5 and 6 will take place three times a week.
Your Career
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of employers waiting for you:
- Residential treatment centres
- Day treatment centres
- Group homes
- Hospitals
- Children’s aid societies
You will also be qualified to work alongside:
- Educators
- Medical and social work professionals
- Correctional officers
- Family organizations
Professional Certification
- ASIST – Applied Suicide Intervention Training Certificate
- CPI – Crisis Prevention Intervention Training Certification
What Our Graduates Say
“Classroom learning is completely relevant to the field of child and youth care, and experienced professors encourage intelligent discussions which are fostered by small class sizes. The faculty is just as passionate in helping children as you are which provides motivation to accomplish, and even surpass, your personal goals. After accepting a pre-graduation job offer, I have been working full time for the York Region District School Board. I have worked with and made strong connections with a large number of children and couldn’t be happier.”
Emma Bannister
Child and Youth Care Graduate
