Too often, young people in our society encounter circumstances that negatively impact their lives. As a child and youth care worker, your challenge will be to improve the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of vulnerable children and adolescents. This program offers you the theoretical foundation and practical learning opportunities you need for a career helping children and families.
Developing the skills you’ll need in this challenging field requires theoretical studies and practical learning opportunities. You’ll also need to look inward, learn to understand yourself and your ability to help others. The Child and Youth Care Counsellor (CYCC) program offers a blend of classroom learning, hands-on experiences, and personal development that provide you with the ability to make a difference in the lives of young people. This is a two year diploma program, and after graduation you have the option to use your diploma as credit towards a degree at a number of partner institutions.
As a student, you’ll be trained in professional practice, communication, self-awareness, theory, and assessment and intervention. You will also be out in the community applying your skills and knowledge in three of the four semesters of course work. Throughout, you will be involved in numerous group projects, role plays and counselling sessions.
The college is a member of the Alberta Child & Youth Care Educator’s Consortium, a group that advocates for curriculum that is accepted and recognized among all institutions. The program at Medicine Hat College is equivalent to any other centre, but what makes us different is our sense of community. With small class sizes, you have the opportunity to build life-long relationships with your peers and instructors. The learning atmosphere is intimate, and you will benefit from the support that is available.
At work, you’ll likely be part of a team that works to address the needs of families. Your duties might include establishing a trusting and meaningful, one-to-one relationship with children and adolescents; helping to develop and coordinate treatment interventions for individuals and groups; designing programs to help control acts of aggression and depressive, destructive or self-injurious behaviors; and acting as a resource for clients and their families.
Graduates of this program will find employment opportunities with:
High School
Mature Route
Transfer Route
Pre Program Requirements
Along with the academic requirements, you must also meet ALL of the following non-academic requirements. Upon acceptance, and prior to the first day of practicum, you are asked to submit:
First YearFall CYCC 111 The Profession of Child and Youth Care*Junior ENGLISHIDST 100 Introductory Communications for Helping ProfessionalsKNES 281 Introduction to Movement Activities of Children and YouthPSYC 205 Principles of Psychology
Winter CYCC 120 Practicum I CYCC 122 Working with Vulnerable Children, Youth and Families CYCC 125 Fundamental Skills in Counselling Junior ENGLISHMICO 191 Introduction to Microcomputers PSYC 351 Developmental Psychology
Second YearFall CYCC 230 Practicum II*CYCC 233 Legal and Cultural Issues Regarding Children and YouthCYCC 235 Counselling Theories and PracticeCYCC 237 Youth Care Practice with FamiliesPSYC 357 Human Development
Winter CYCC 232 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues CYCC 240 Practicum III CYCC 245 Assessment and InterventionPSYC 385 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
*All Child and Youth Care Counsellor students are expected to participate in a 1 1/2 day retreat in Elkwater. An additional cost of $100.00 is incurred.
In order to be considered a continuing student of record in the Child and Youth Care Counsellor program, you must:
If you are no longer students of record in the CYCC program, you may apply for readmission into the program. You may repeat courses only at the discretion, and with the permission, of the Child and Youth Care Counsellor Program Coordinator.
All required courses outlined in the MHC Calendar must be completed with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Athabasca University The Child and Youth Care Counsellor diploma transfers to Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Professional Arts (Human Services) degree. For more information contact the Athabasca University Liaison Officer at Medicine Hat College at 403-504-2209.
Grant MacEwan UniversityGraduates of the Child and Youth Care Counsellor Program are eligible for transfer to Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, for completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care.
Mount Royal UniversityYou are eligible as well, to receive advanced credit towards an Applied Degree in Child Studies offered at Mount Royal University.
University of Victoria Graduates of the Child and Youth Care Counsellor Program are eligible for transfer to the University of Victoria School of Child and Youth Care for completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care.
University of the Fraser Valley You may also take the degree through the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford.
Vancouver Island UniversityGraduates of the Child and Youth Care Counsellor Program are eligible for transfer to Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.
The Child and Youth Care Counsellor program has a major practicum component. During the first year, you will observe different agencies while gaining information about many others. This experience assists in determining a successful placement in the second year. As part of an integration of practice and theory, you are in practicum placements two days (15 hours) per week for the entire second year of the program. You will apply for practicum placements and through an interview process must show a high level of commitment and professional suitability to the agency. You may be placed outside of Medicine Hat for the second year practicum.
Should the program coordinator judge, in consultation with faculty, that there is evidence that you are professionally unsuitable or a risk to clients, the coordinator may prohibit you from attending or completing the practicum.
Medicine Hat College distributes over $300,000 in scholarships and bursaries each year. Applying online is easy!
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There are several options to assist you in funding your education at MHC. Find out what option is best for you.
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