Bachelor of Child and Youth Care (22231)

Humber’s Bachelor of Child and Youth Care degree program provides students 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, 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.

Students will learn from highly qualified professors, as well as from guest lecturers from the child and youth care practice field, youth in care and community representatives. Students will have the unique opportunity to develop key skills under supervision in our state-of-the-art interview labs, therapeutic play laboratory setting, our family practice room and children’s activity room.

Their courses integrate the study of developmental, preventative and therapeutic approaches in child and youth care and will teach students direct 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 framework.

The first two years of the program provide students 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, students will be able to engage in courses related to five areas of concentration in the program – 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 students to select a focus for their final thesis project in fourth year.