The Master of Arts program in Child and Youth Care (CYC) intensively explores three thematic streams: Clinical Child and Youth Care Practice Management and Policy Development in Child and Youth Care Child and Youth Care Approaches to Research. This program focuses on the theoretical and practice-oriented approaches related to young people facing adversity in myriad contexts, and covers issues and themes that include trauma-informed care, resilience, life-space intervention, critical and anti-oppressive perspectives, and management and policy development in child and youth serving settings. Through innovative pedagogy which incorporates an extensive focus on reflective practice, field learning opportunities, and the integration of social innovation and use of Self and Self in relational practice throughout the curriculum, the MA program teaches and promotes leadership in child and youth care, with an emphasis on children’s rights and the daily experiences of youth within institutional and community-based services. The program is designed as a one-year (12 months) full time program, with a one term (Fall) residency requirement. The winter term and spring/summer sessions can be completed in class or online. Students must complete four required courses, two elective courses, a six-week, full-time placement, and a Major Research Paper (MRP). All required courses are offered during evenings.

Career opportunities- Today’s child and youth care practitioners need advanced knowledge and skills to flourish in a variety of practice, management, research and policy roles within complex and demanding environments: Psychiatric centres Health care Hospitals Government Child welfare Community-based child and youth developmental/disability/rehabilitation programs Child and youth advocacy Youth justice system Parent education/training Family support programs Valuable learning opportunities in the classroom and in the field will prepare you to: Lead effectively within the complex world of cross-sector collaboration, policy alignment and organizational change Contribute evidence to the field, while taking account of stakeholder diversity, inclusion and anti-oppressive practices Develop child and youth care-focused, evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches to practice Work in line with current demands to deliver on client-level outcomes and have a broader social impact