Child and Youth Care Diploma at Vancouver Island University

Programme overview

Make a positive difference in the lives children, youth and families as a child and youth care (CYC) worker. The CYC job market continues to grow, and VIU graduates are in high demand. The VIU diploma program prepares you to work in educational, residential and community settings across Canada.

Faculty: Human Services | Duration: 2 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Courses include Child Development, Interpersonal Communication Skills in a Therapeutic Context, Introduction to Professional Child and Youth Care Practice, Literature and Culture, Introductions to Group Work in Child & Youth Care Practice, Theoretical Foundations in Child and Youth Care, Adolescent Development, An Introduction to Family Development and Support.

Career pathways

Graduates of the program are prepared for the general practice of child and youth care work in community and residential settings across Canada.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Enrolment in the Child and Youth Care Diploma program at VIU is limited. Students who wish to take individual courses without being admitted to the program may do so where space is available and when prerequisites have been completed. Students who take courses in Child and Youth Care without being formally admitted into the program are not guaranteed entry into the program. Students are encouraged to explore the program with a VIU Advisor [email protected] before pursuing application.; Enrolment is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.; To be eligible for admission at first year to the VIU Diploma program, students must have completed Grade 12 (or have mature student status), with a minimum of “C” in English 12 or equivalent.; To be eligible for admission at second year to the VIU Diploma program, students...

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most programmes start in September; January intake is offered for some bachelor's degrees and other programmes; many programmes offer alternative start dates throughout the year.

Applications for most academic programs open October 1 in the year before the program start date (applications for programs beginning September 2027 open October 1, 2026); deadlines vary by program.

Application fee: domestic undergraduate $46.98, domestic graduate $121.86, international all programs $156.06 (non-refundable); no application fee for Adult Basic Education.

Apply through the official page: https://www.viu.ca/apply

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