Algonquin College Introduces Bachelor of Child and Youth Care (Honours) Degree

Graduates will play a role in meeting the mental health and development needs of young people, families, and communities.  

Algonquin College has introduced a new four-year, degree program that prepares students for front-line and/or supervisory roles contributing to the care, welfare, and positive health and development of children, youth, and families.

Students will become leaders in supporting vulnerable populations

The Bachelor of Child and Youth Care (Honours) degree allows learners to build specialized skills in nature-based programming, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Such skills allow students to be at the forefront of working with young people and communities.

“We are proud of our new Child and Youth Care degree program, which will create leaders in an area dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations in need of services,” said Jane Trakalo, Dean, School of Wellness, Public Safety and Community Studies.

“Our approach allows students to learn and grow in a supportive, hands-on, dynamic learning environment that will prepare them to enter the human services workforce. We look forward to welcoming new learners to our campus.”

New Bachelor of Child and Youth Care degree offers hands-on experience

The program, now accepting students for Fall 2025, is focused on creative prevention and intervention strategies for diverse children, youth, families, and communities. It is designed to allow learners to gain hands-on experience through a 14-week work term and two field placements.

Coursework includes community development, arts-based change, nature-based programming, applied research, online relational practice, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Also embedded in the degree is program evaluation, where students learn how to design and interpret data to determine and address program effectiveness.

Graduates will be equipped to create programs, services, agencies, and businesses that meet the needs of young people, families and society.

Child and Youth Care Practitioners work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community health centres, schools, government agencies, shelters, and residential care settings. This program is geared toward individuals interested in the social sciences who have a passion for working with children, youth and families as well as those who have a passion for advocacy and social justice and wish to contribute in their communities.