Child and Youth Care

Overview

Using a concurrent delivery model, this unique program allows students to apply theoretical concepts of healthy development, therapeutic programming, child and youth care interventions and counselling in their field placement experiences. During the program, students complete four terms of field placement which is supported through coursework, tailor-made seminar classes and comprehensive onsite supervision.

Supplemented with additional knowledge in outdoor activity facilitation, group work and specific client populations, graduates are positioned to work in a wide variety of clinical, community and educational settings. Graduates may be employed as frontline child and youth counsellors, residential workers, educational assistants and community support workers.

Learning outcomes

Child and Youth Care Applicants at Algonquin College with a university degree in the social sciences or a two-year college diploma in a human services program (such as Developmental Service Worker, Social Service Worker, or Early Childhood Education) may be admitted directly into the second year of the program (Level 03). To be considered for Direct Entry, applicants must also submit acceptable proof of at least 160 hours of documented paid or volunteer experience with children and/or youth in a recognized community agency.