Child and Youth Care Counsellor - Online Delivery
Child and Youth Care Counsellor - Online Delivery
Contact Us
SarahJayne Biglieni
Human Services Enrolment Specialist
780 853 0902
780 853 0902
Ask me your questions
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.
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.
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.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:
- by email at hsacademic.advisor@lakelandcollege.ca
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.
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:
- email HSAcademic.Advisor@lakelandcollege.ca
- call 780 853 8661
- call toll-free at 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8661
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. 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
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.
Jobs and careers