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 build relationships that focus on promoting the resiliency and wellbeing of children, youth and families 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:
- 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
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
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 |
Mar 13 | Last day to withdraw from semester 2 courses with W grade or change from credit to audit. |
Apr 3-6 | Easter Break, college closed |
Apr 24 | Last day semester 2 |
Jun 5 | Vermilion campus Convocation |
Note: These dates are subject to change.
2026 | |
---|---|
Aug 12 | Fees due, fall term |
Sept 1 | Registration Day |
Sept 2 | First day of classes, fall term semester 1 |
Sept 7 | Labor Day, college closed |
Sept 9 | Last day to add semester 1 courses |
Sept 22 |
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 12 | Thanksgiving, college closed |
Nov 2 | Last day to withdraw from semester 1 with W grade or change from credit to audit |
Nov 9-13 | Fall break for students |
Nov 11 | Remembrance Day, college closed |
Dec 1 | Fees due, winter term |
Dec 18 | Last day of semester 1 |
Dec 21 - Jan4 | Christmas break for students |
2027 | |
---|---|
Jan 5 | First day of classes, winter term semester 2 |
Jan 12 | Last day to add semester 2 courses |
Jan 25 |
Last day to drop semester 2 courses. Last day to withdraw with 100% refund of semester 2 fees. |
Feb 15 | Family Day, college closed |
Feb 15-29 | Reading week/spring break |
Mar 12 | Last day to withdraw from semester 2 courses with W grade or change from credit to audit. |
Mar 26-29 | Easter Break, college closed |
Apr 23 | Last day semester 2 |
Jun 4 | 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. 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.