Child and Youth Care

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English.

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English.
3. Applicants are advised that a criminal record check will be required by organizations accepting students for internship placements.
4. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

The requirements for Direct Entry (full- or part-time) in Child and Youth Care include the following:

• A three year Child and Youth Worker/Child and Youth Care Advanced Diploma, from a public Ontario College, with at least a 3.0/B/70% average.
  
• Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Notes:

• Applicants with out-of-province two-year Child and Youth Work diplomas will be assessed for admission to the Direct Entry programs on an individual basis.
• Applicants with all other post-secondary academic credentials should apply to the four-year program. The four-year program admission requirements (or Mature Student guidelines) apply, including the English prerequisite requirement.
• Direct entry students interested in enrolling in Psychology courses may require approval directly from the Psychology department prior to enrolment.  Course outlines and/or official transcripts of previous studies will be reviewed by the Psychology department to determine eligibility. Students are responsible for submission of any required documentation directly to the Psychology department.

The curriculum builds upon a multi-disciplinary base to develop the student's understanding of issues facing children, youth, and their families in society today. With a solid multi-disciplinary foundation in sociological and psychological perspectives students are introduced to the theories and techniques of child and youth care. They will develop the ability to work with children, youth, and families with a focus on promoting the rights and participation of children and youth through inclusive practice and advocacy for the highest standards of ethical practice and optimal quality of care.

Toronto Met's Direct Entry program in Child and Youth Care was designed to meet the career and professional needs of experienced Child and Youth Care practitioners. The program builds on the Diploma in Child and Youth Work offered at most Ontario Colleges, and is intended for those who have work experience in the field. Graduates of the degree-completion program will be able to assume greater responsibilities in a variety of areas, including residential treatment centres, school boards, community programs, hospitals, and Children's Aid Societies.

The Direct Entry program in Child and Youth Care is designed to accomplish several related objectives, namely:

• to enhance the student's awareness of the broader intellectual and professional context of the provision of services for children and adolescents;
• to foster the development of critical capacities to understand the role of the educated professional in a social and cultural context;
• to build on the base of knowledge, expertise and practical experience obtained through Diploma studies and subsequent work, to enable the graduate to assume advanced levels of therapeutic and organizational responsibility;
• to develop the capacity to critically evaluate and to contribute to the emerging professional literature in the field;
• to enable interested graduates to qualify for admission to post-baccalaureate educational programs in Child and Youth Care or in related fields.

The School of Child and Youth Care offers a full-time four-year degree program. This complements the part-time Direct-Entry program first offered in Fall 1989. Students are able to enter on a full-time basis following high school or Direct Entry on a full- or part-time basis directly into year 3 following the completion of a three-year Child and Youth Work (CYW) diploma from an Ontario College.

Graduates from the Direct Entry and Two-Year, Degree Completion programs are already obtaining more responsible clinical and supervisory positions including child protection and family service positions in Children's Aid Societies and Children's Mental Health Centres. Graduates may go on to obtain further education as elementary and secondary school teachers and obtain graduate degrees to become private counsellors and educators within the college CYW system.

Graduates of the BA (CYC) who enter at first year will find employment in hospital and outpatient settings, community centres, educational/day treatment settings, school districts as child and youth workers, residential centres (child welfare, young offenders, and children's mental health), and family support programs.

Part-time Direct Entry and Degree Completion students do not need to follow the curricular structure of the program. Subject to pre-requisites and co-requisites being met, students may take courses from any semester.

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Liberal Studies
Direct Entry

Students must take three upper level liberal studies courses. If an upper level liberal studies course requires a prerequisite, students can consult with the teaching department/school.

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Last offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2025 and before.

Students are advised to take all courses marked with either an asterisk (*) or a double asterisk (**) together in the same semester. These courses can be completed in either the 3rd Semester or the 4th Semester.

Last offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2025 and before.

Last offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2025 and before.

CYC 60A/B is a two-term course, has a GPA weight of 2.00, and a course count of 2.00.

Direct Entry students will normally be admitted into 5th semester (3rd Year) of this program. Students should refer to their Offer of Admission for details.

Last offered 2027-2028 to students admitted to Direct Entry Fall 2027 and before.

Last offered 2028-2029 to students admitted to Direct Entry Fall 2027 and before.

Curriculum variations between Direct Entry and 4-Year programs:

• In 5th and 6th Semester, Direct Entry students take CYC 409 in place of Open Elective.
• In 7th and 8th Semester, Direct Entry students take one Open Elective and one Table II elective in place of CYC 60A/B.

First offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

Students are advised to take all courses marked with either an asterisk (*) or a double asterisk (**) together in the same semester. These courses can be completed in either the 3rd Semester or the 4th Semester.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

 *Students wishing to take 60A/B Internship II in 7th & 8th Semester must take CYC 608.

First offered 2029-2030 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

CYC 60A/B is a two-term course, has a GPA weight of 2.00, and a course count of 2.00.

Direct Entry students will normally be admitted into 5th semester (3rd Year) of this program. Students should refer to their Offer of Admission for details.

Last offered 2027-2028 to students admitted to Direct Entry Fall 2027 and before.

Last offered 2028-2029 to students admitted to Direct Entry Fall 2027 and before.

Curriculum variations between Direct Entry and 4-Year programs:

• In 5th and 6th Semester, Direct Entry students take CYC 409 in place of Open Elective.
• In 7th and 8th Semester, Direct Entry students take one Open Elective and one Table II elective in place of CYC 60A/B.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2028 and after.

*Students wishing to take 60A/B Internship II in 7th & 8th Semester must take CYC 607.

First offered 2029-2030 to students admitted Fall 2028 and after.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2028 and after.

*Students wishing to take CYC 60A/B in 7th & 8th Semester must take CYC 608.

The Concentration in Therapeutic/Relational Practice prepares students for direct work with children, youth and families across diverse settings, including mental health agencies, hospitals, schools and community organizations. Emphasizing relational, trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches, the concentration deepens students’ understanding of assessment, intervention and therapeutic techniques grounded in CYC practice. This stream is ideal for students interested in pursuing advanced studies or professional roles in therapeutic care.

Students must declare their concentration prior to applying to graduate. Courses used to fulfil the requirements of a concentration cannot also be used to fulfil the requirements of a minor.

Please note: Students in the Full-Time, Four-Year Program who choose to take the concentration are advised to choose CYC 60A/B rather than CYC 830 in their final year.

In addition to the general criteria used to determine Academic Standing, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

• A grade of C or higher is required to pass each of the following Academic Standing Variation (ASV) courses (or all required courses):

Students who receive a grade lower than 'C' in any ASV course will be placed on Probationary Academic Standing, regardless of their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
As a condition of their probation, students must repeat the ASV course they failed when it is next available. To return to Clear Standing, students must achieve a 'C' or above in the repeated ASV course and any other ASV courses taken. Students must also meet the standard probationary requirements outlined in their signed probationary contract.

Please Note:
Students cannot complete any course more than three times.
A third unsuccessful attempt in the same non-ASV course will result in a standing of Permanent Program Withdrawal.
A third unsuccessful attempt in the same ASV course will result in a standing of Standing Variation Withdrawal, which cannot be appealed.

In addition to the general criteria used to determine Academic Standing, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

A grade of C or higher is required to pass each of the following Academic Standing Variation (ASV) courses (or all required courses):

Students who receive a grade lower than 'C' in any ASV course will be placed on Probationary Academic Standing, regardless of their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
As a condition of their probation, students must repeat the ASV course they failed when it is next available. To return to Clear Standing, students must achieve a 'C' or above in the repeated ASV course and any other ASV courses taken. Students must also meet the standard probationary requirements outlined in their signed probationary contract.

Please Note:
Students cannot complete any course more than three times.
A third unsuccessful attempt in the same non-ASV course will result in a standing of Permanent Program Withdrawal.
A third unsuccessful attempt in the same ASV course will result in a standing of Standing Variation Withdrawal, which cannot be appealed.

In addition to fulfilling the general academic requirements for graduation, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

• students in the full-time undergraduate Child and Youth Care program are required to obtain a minimum grade of 'C' in the Required CYC-prefix courses in second, third and fourth year. Students must receive a Pass grade ('PSD') in each of the internship courses (CYC 30A/B and CYC 60A/B and CYC 303) to graduate.
• Child and Youth Care Advanced Standing program students, in addition to fulfilling Toronto Metropolitan University's Graduation Requirements, must receive a minimum grade of 'C' in the Required CYC-prefix courses taken here at Toronto Met.  

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Lauren Akbar
TMU Contact Lecturer in CYC

Nadjib Alamyar
Sherbourne Health, Supporting Our Youth

Jedidiah (Jedi) Amoako
TMU/Lincoln Alexander School of Law student

Peter Amponsah
Associate Dean, Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies, Sheridan University

Destin Bujang
Black Creek Youth Initiative co-founder

Sharon Douglas
Former Director of Community Investment, United Way of Peel Region

Irwin Elman
Former advocate of Ontario

Keishia Facey
Ontario Association of Children Aid Societies (OACAS)

Cody Jacques
TMU Graduate Student in CYC, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Province of British Columbia

Sabeeka Jaffer
4th year CYC student

Denis Lim
TMU Graduate Student in CYC, Humber College

Meagan Lindley
Researcher/Policy Analyst, Association of Native Child, and Family Services Agencies of Ontario (ANCFSAO)

Conner Lowes
Former president of Youth in Care Canada and current law student

Abrar Mechmechia
ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health Services

Tanitia Munroe
Toronto District School Board- Research and Development Dept

Jesse Murray
Director, Lumenus Mental Health

Coura Niang
President and Director of OACYC and Board of Director

Lisa Pena-Sabanal
TMU Contact Lecturer in CYC

Pree Rehal
Independent Consultant

Benjamin Schiffman
President and Director of OACYC and Board of Director

Honorable Brian Scully
Retired Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice

Reshma Shiwcharran
Eva's Phoenix

Sapphire Woods
Youth Practitioner