Humber Polytechnic
Child and Youth Care - Accelerated
Overview
The Child and Youth Care – Accelerated programme helps you support children, youth, and families through assessment, relational practice, and evidence-informed interventions. You will learn how to plan therapeutic activities and structured environments, and apply these skills during three field placements. Key facts Accelerated format: designed for students with previous post-secondary education to complete the programme in 16 consecutive months. Field learning: includes three field placements to connect classroom learning with real-world practice. Study timeline: classes begin in September, with graduation expected in December of the following academic year. Career focus: prepare for roles that support positive outcomes for children and youth across community and institutional settings. Potential employment settings may include: child protection and related services community-based youth development and prevention programmes early intervention and family support services residential and day treatment settings in children’s mental health school-based and community outreach programmes youth and women’s shelters psychiatric hospitals and related clinical environments open custody group homes for youth involved with the justice system
About this programme
Overview
The Child and Youth Care – Accelerated programme at Humber Polytechnic is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to support children, youth, and families. Through a combination of assessment, relational practice, and evidence-informed interventions, students will learn to create therapeutic activities and structured environments that promote positive outcomes. This intensive programme is tailored for individuals with prior post-secondary education, allowing them to complete their studies in just 16 consecutive months.
What you'll study
Programme Structure
The curriculum integrates classroom instruction with hands-on field placements, enabling students to develop practical skills essential for effective child and youth care. Learning progresses from core concepts to advanced therapeutic and relational practices.
Core courses may include:
- Community Resources and Legislation
- Child and Youth Care Professional Practice
- Relational Practices in Child and Youth Care
- Therapeutic Activities Programming
- Group Dynamics
- Assessment and Recording
- Family Dynamics
Field placements
- Students will engage in three supervised field placements throughout the programme.
- These placements provide real-world experience in assessment, relational engagement, and therapeutic activity planning.
For detailed information on the full course list, sequencing, and any elective options, please visit the programme website.
Entry requirements
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, advanced diploma, or diploma from an accredited post-secondary institution. Specific minimum GPA requirements are not provided, so it is advisable to check the programme website for additional details.
Career prospects
Graduates of the Child and Youth Care programme can pursue careers in various settings, including:
- Child protection and related services
- Community-based youth development and prevention programmes
- Early intervention and family support services
- Residential and day treatment settings in children’s mental health
- School-based and community outreach programmes
- Youth and women’s shelters
- Psychiatric hospitals and clinical environments
- Open custody group homes for youth involved with the justice system
This programme prepares students to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and youth, fostering resilience and positive development across community and institutional settings.
Get help applying to Humber Polytechnic
Shortlist scholarships and plan your application — free guidance from our advisors.