Child and Youth Care Counsellor
Child and Youth Care Counsellor
Contact Us
SarahJayne Biglieni
Human Services Enrolment Specialist
780 853 0902
780 853 0902
Ask me your questions
Learn to promote resiliency in youth in Lakeland’s child and youth care counsellor diploma.
Our program prepares you to support children and youth, as well as their families. We’re accredited
by the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada (CYCEAB).
You’ll develop essential skills such as:
- observing, reporting and assessing skills in case management situations
- building therapeutic relationships
- supporting family interventions
- recognizing symptoms of abuse & addiction
- building resiliency
- working with children and youth in diverse settings
You'll have the opportunity to put your knowledge in action. Your hands-on experience includes 4 field placements over the course of the 2-year program.
Requirements
More program details
You can also find a list of Human Services textbooks.
Below is the list of the required year 1 and year 2 courses. Face-to-face courses are delivered over 2 semesters.
About practicums
You need a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) to be eligible for your practicum/field placement.
You must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing:
- 4 courses including YC 100 to be eligible to register for YC 125 CYCC Field Placement I
- 8 courses including YC 102 to register for YC 225 CYCC Field Placement II
- 12 courses including YC 203 and YC 236 to be eligible to register for YC 325 CYCC Field Placement III
- 18 courses to register for YC 425 CYCC Field Placement IV
Your weekly class schedule can be found on your My Lakeland student portal when available. This is usually one month prior to the program start date.
Important dates found below include your tuition due date, your program registration/start date, events and holidays.
Dates are subject to change. We recommend you check here regularly for any updates.
Face-to-face on-campus important dates
2024
Aug 12 — Fees due fall term semester 1
Sept 3 — Registration day
Sept 4 — First day of classes, semester 1
Sept 11 — Last day to add semester 1 courses
Sept 24 — Last day to drop semester 1 courses. Last day to withdraw from college with full refund less tuition deposit
Sept 30 — National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 14 — Thanksgiving, college closed
Nov 1 — Last day to withdraw from semester 1 with W grade or change from credit to audit
Nov 8-11 — Fall break for students
Nov 11 — Remembrance Day, college closed
Dec 2 — Fees due winter term semester 2
Dec 13 — Last day of classes, semester 1
Dec 16-Jan 6 — Christmas break for students
2025
Jan 7 — First day of classes, winter term semester 2
Jan 13 — Last day to add semester 2 courses
Jan 28 — Last day to drop semester 2 courses. Last day to withdraw from college with 100% refund of semester 2 fees.
Feb 17-21 — Reading Week/Spring Break
March 14 — Last day to withdraw from semester 2 courses with W grade or change from credit to audit.
April 18-21 — Easter Break, college closed
April 25 — Last day of classes, semester 2
June 6 — Vermilion Campus Convocation
Please note these dates are subject to change.
2025
Aug 11 — Fees due, fall term
Sept 2 — Registration Day
Sept 3 — First day of classes, fall term semester 1
Sept 10 — Last day to add semester 1 courses
Sept 23 — Last day to drop semester 1 courses. Last day to withdraw with full refund of fees less tuition deposit.
Sept 30 — National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 13 — Thanksgiving, college closed
Nov 3 — Last day to withdraw from semester 1 with W grade or change from credit to audit
Nov 10-11 — Fall break for students
Nov 11 — Remembrance Day, college closed
Dec 1 — Fees due, winter term
Dec 12 — Last day of semester 1
Dec 13–Jan 5 — Christmas break for students
2026
Jan 6 — First day of classes, winter term semester 2
Jan 13 — Last day to add semester 2 courses
Jan 27 — Last day to drop semester 2 courses. Last day to withdraw with 100% refund of semester 2 fees.
Feb 16–20 — Reading week/spring break
March 13 — Last day to withdraw from semester 2 courses with W grade or change from credit to audit.
April 3–6 — Easter Break, college closed
April 24 — Last day semester 2
June 5— Vermilion Campus Convocation
Continue your learning
Add to your skill set by taking another Lakeland College human services program.
- add another diploma - early childhood education
- take an online certificate to expand your tool kit. Animal Assisted Wellness and Community Mental Health are both options.
- take basic courses in American Sign Language
Diploma to Degree
After Lakeland, attend another institution to earn another credential. Lakeland has official transfer agreements with these institutions:
Athabasca University offers a Bachelor of Professional Arts: Human Services.
Note: up to 30 credits transfer
Options at MacEwan University include Bachelor of Applied Human Services Administration, Bachelor of Child & Youth Care and Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum Studies.
Note: up to 60 credits transfer for B. Early Childhood Curriculum Studies.
Mount Royal University offers a Bachelor of Child Studies.
Note: up to 60 credits transfer
Options at the University of Calgary include Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation.
Notes: Up to 30 credits transfer for Bachelor Social Work. Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation is a full block transfer. Offered face-to-face only. Distance delivery is discontinued.
Bachelor of Social Work program/Pre-social Work
Note: up to 30 credits transfer


Child and youth care counsellor graduates from Lakeland have worked in wide variety of jobs directly impacting their communities. Our alumni advocate for youth, work in shelters and connect families and students with vital resources.