<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MF263BM" height="0" width="0"> Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content
Schedule time with SarahJayne
LocationOnline
CredentialDiploma
Program LengthVaries/80 credits
Delivery MethodOnline asynchronous
Are you looking for our face-to-face Child and Youth Care Counsellor program?

Our program is nationally recognized and is accredited by the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada (CYCEAB).

Build relationships that focus on promoting the wellbeing of children, youth and families in Lakeland’s child and youth care counsellor diploma.

Courses are offered online to provide you with flexibility.

You can apply to start the program in the Fall, Winter or Spring term. Review the part-time and full-time options below before applying.

  • Most students choose to complete the program on a part-time basis. Part-time students can begin studies in any term.
  • Students who apply to begin studies in the Winter or Spring terms may be able to take a full-time course load for a semester; however, due to course sequencing and prerequisite requirements, you will not be able to complete the entire program on a full-time basis.
  • To complete the entire program on a full-time basis, you must apply to begin in the Fall term. This start time ensures you meet the necessary prerequisites to continue with a full-time course load in the Winter term.

To find the academic schedules and more information on application and registration open and close dates, go to the important dates section.

Child and Youth Care Education Accreditation Board logo

You’ll develop essential skills such as:  

  • build skills in counselling, mentoring, teamwork and leadership
  • create multi-level service plans for families and children
  • building therapeutic relationships  
  • supporting family interventions  
  • recognizing symptoms of abuse & addiction  
  • building resiliency  
  • working with children and youth in diverse settings 

Your hands-on experience includes 4 field placements over the course of the program.

Lakeland College’s Child and Youth Care Diploma program has earned accreditation from the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada as a provider of quality post-secondary education in the field of Child and Youth Care, effective February 17, 2021 to February 16, 2028

Requirements

More program details

*Note: Comprehensive and students' association fees are calculated based on number of credits not number of courses

Textbook costs vary depending on the course. Please view the bookstore to see the materials required for each course.

If you are looking to take individual courses, and aren't registered in our program, please go to our human services continuing education page.

Below is the list of required courses and their descriptions.

Online courses are delivered over 3 semesters - fall, winter and spring.

You can apply to start the program in the Fall, Winter or Spring term. Review the part-time and full-time options below before applying.

  • Most students choose to complete the program on a part-time basis. Part-time students can begin studies in any term.
  • Students who apply to begin studies in the Winter or Spring terms may be able to take a full-time course load for a semester; however, due to course sequencing and prerequisite requirements, you will not be able to complete the entire program on a full-time basis.
  • To complete the entire program on a full-time basis, you must apply to begin in the Fall term. This start time ensures you meet the necessary prerequisites to continue with a full-time course load in the Winter term.

To find the academic schedules and more information on application and registration dates, go to the important dates section.

Online course information

Enrolment is the final step after you've been accepted.

  • You will self-register in your courses.
  • You can expect an email from the Office of the Registrar beginning one week before registration opens. It will include instructions on how to self-register and pay tuition using My Lakeland.

Please work with the academic advisor to develop a plan for the courses you want to take.

Contact the human services academic advisor if you need help setting up a program plan:

Notes:

  • You must successfully complete all year 1 courses before moving on to year 2 courses.
  • We recommend you take CO 118 Communication Skills as one of your first 2 courses.
  • Please check the course descriptions for pre and co-requisites.

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

Practicums are offered in the fall and winter term.

Statement of Accreditation

Lakeland College’s Child and Youth Care Diploma program has earned accreditation from the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada as a provider of quality post-secondary education in the field of Child and Youth Care, effective February 17, 2021 to February 16, 2028.

You will register for individual courses on the My Lakeland student portal before the registration deadline. Before registering, check prerequisites on the program course page.

The academic schedule found below includes refund information, deadlines, events and holidays. Most programs follow the same schedule, but any variations can be found here.

Check this page regularly as changes may occur.  

  • You must apply and be accepted before you can register for courses. How to Apply
  • You can apply to start the program in the Fall, Winter or Spring term. Review the part-time and full-time options below before applying. 
    • Most students choose to complete the program on a part-time basis. Part-time students can begin studies in any term.
    • Students who apply to begin studies in the Winter or Spring terms may be able to take a full-time course load for a semester; however, due to course sequencing and prerequisite requirements, you will not be able to complete the entire program on a full-time basis.
    • To complete the entire program on a full-time basis, you must apply to begin in the Fall term. This start time ensures you meet the necessary prerequisites to continue with a full-time course load in the Winter term.
  • Once accepted, you can expect an email from the Office of the Registrar beginning one week before registration opens. It will include instructions on how to self-register and pay tuition using My Lakeland.

Notes:

  • if you are working, we recommend you limit registration to 2 courses per term, starting with CO 118 Communication Skills.

Date Event
Oct 2, 2024 - Aug 7, 2025 Applications open and close
Aug 6 - 28, 2025 Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Aug 6 - Sep 8, 2025 Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Aug 14, 2025 Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing
Sep 8 - Nov 14, 2025 Course start and end
Sep 22, 2025 Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course
Sep 30, 2025 National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 13, 2025 Thanksgiving, college closed
Oct 17, 2025 Last day to withdraw with W grade
Nov 11, 2025 Remembrance Day, college closed
Nov 17 - Dec 12, 2025 Practicum start and end
Dec 23, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026 Christmas break

 

Date Event
Aug 6 - Nov 18, 2025 Applications open and close
Nov 25, 2025 Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing
Nov 26 - Dec 18, 2025 Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Nov 26, 2025 - Jan 19, 2026 Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Jan 19 - Mar 27, 2026 Course start and end
Feb 2, 2026 Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course
Feb 16, 2026 Family Day, campus closed
Feb 27, 2026 Last day to withdraw with W grade
Mar 30 - Apr 24, 2026 Practicum start and end
Apr 3-6, 2026 Easter break, college closed
Jun 5, 2026 Convocation

 

Date Event
Oct 1, 2025 - Mar 12, 2026 Applications open and close
Mar 19, 2026 Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing
Mar 25 - Apr 16, 2026 Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Apr 27 - Jun 26, 2026 Course start and end
May 11, 2026 Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course
May 18, 2026 Victoria Day, college closed
Jun 2, 2026 Last day to withdraw with W grade
Jul 1, 2026 Canada Day, college closed
Aug 3, 2026 Civic Holiday, college closed

 

Date Event
Oct 1, 2025 - Aug 6, 2026 Applications open and close
Aug 12 - Sep 3, 2026 Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Aug 12 - Sep 3, 2026 Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Aug 13, 2026 Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing
Sep 14 - Nov 20, 2026 Course start and end
Sep 28, 2026 Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course
Sep 30, 2026 National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 12, 2026 Thanksgiving, college closed
Oct 23, 2026 Last day to withdraw with W grade
Nov 11, 2026 Remembrance Day, college closed
Nov 23 - Dec 18, 2026 Practicum start and end
Dec 21, 2026 - Jan 4, 2027 Christmas break


Date Event
Aug 5 - Nov 19, 2026 Applications open and close
Nov 25 - Dec 17, 2026 Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Nov 25 - Dec 17, 2026 Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration
Nov 26, 2026 Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing
Jan 18 - Mar 26, 2027 Course start and end
Feb 1, 2027 Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course
Feb 15, 2027 Family Day, campus closed
Feb 26, 2027 Last day to withdraw with W grade
Mar 26-29, 2027 Easter break, college closed
Mar 29 - Apr 23, 2027 Practicum start and end
Jun 4, 2027 Convocation


Date Event
Oct 7, 2026 - Mar 11, 2027 Applications open and close
Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2027 Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration. 
Mar 18, 2027 Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing
Apr 26 - Jun 25, 2027 Course start and end
May 7, 2027 Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course.
May 24, 2027 Victoria Day, college closed
Jun 1, 2027 Last day to withdraw with W grade.
Jul 1, 2027 Canada Day, college closed
Aug 2, 2027 Civic Holiday, college closed

If you need information on course planning or further support, please:

Continue your learning

Add to your skill set by taking another Lakeland College human services program.

Diploma to Degree

After Lakeland, attend another institution to earn another credential. For transfers up to 60 credits, we call it 2 + 2. Take two years to earn your diploma here at Lakeland and then another two years at another institution to earn your degree.

Not all our agreements are a 2 + 2. Discuss the options with your academic advisor.

Lakeland has official transfer agreements with these institutions:

Athabasca University offers a Bachelor of Professional Arts. You can choose one of 4 majors 

Note: up to 60 credits transfer

Lethbridge Polytechnic offers a Bachelor of Criminal Justice.

Options at MacEwan University include Bachelor of Applied Human Services AdministrationBachelor 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

Students on a field trip
When you study online at Lakeland, you'll still have access to the hands-on learning we're known for. See how our alumni are making impacts in their communities and how their education prepared them to do so.


Creating connections

Lakeland students putting skills to work with children in classroom

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.

Jobs and careers

Related programs