Child and Youth Care

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Child and Youth Care diploma.

Athabasca University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Child and Youth Care diploma are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards a Bachelor of Professional Arts (Human Services) or a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Governance (Law and Management) at Athabasca University. Graduates are also eligible to receive 30 credits towards a post-diploma Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations, or a Bachelor of Management. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.  

Griffith University, Australia

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Child and Youth Care diploma, with a cumulative GPA of 65% or higher, are eligible to receive transfer credit towards the completion of a Bachelor of Human Services or a Bachelor of Child, Youth and Family Practice at Griffith University. For more information, please contact an Academic Advisor at Griffith University or visit their website.

MacEwan University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Child and Youth Care diploma are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards the third year of a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care at MacEwan University. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at MacEwan University for further information regarding admission requirements into this competitive program. 

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements

This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.

Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).

Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.

Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.

In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.

WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.

Program Practicum Overview

Students will complete 3 practicums during their program which allows them to apply concepts taught in the classroom in CYC practice settings. Each practicum is a block practicum where the student works full time in the practicum site for the duration of the practicum. CYC-1178 is 6 weeks, CYC-2255 is 7 weeks, and CYC-2285 is 7 weeks. Students must complete at least one practicum outside of the Lethbridge area (100 km away from Lethbridge). Students will be required to work a variety of shifts in their practicum sites. 

Any questions about practicum can be directed to the Practicum Coordinator: Kathleen Vink  [email protected]

Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.

Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.

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