Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Child and Youth Care

Child and Youth Care

  • CYC 101 - Intro to Child and Youth Care
    Course DescriptionThis course presents an overview of the child and youth care field. Content includes a survey of the history of the profession and the role of the child and youth care practitioner across a broad spectrum of settings. The development of child and youth care knowledge, areas of practice and research are emphasized.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 102 - Ready for Practice
    Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to the foundational skills and competencies required to enter the fields of practice. Topics range from professionalism, understating the roles of placement students, working with colleagues and supervisors to legal obligations under the Child and Family Services Act. The course is taught in smaller groups and serves to prepare students for their internship experiences.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Custom Requisites:Restriction: Available to Child and Youth Care students only.
  • CYC 201 - Child Abuse and Neglect
    Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to the research and theories related to child maltreatment. Child protection legislation and policies, and treatment options are examined. Social and familial factors are explored from an ecological perspective. Indicators for, disclosure of and responses to of physical abuse, sexual abuse, child neglect and emotional maltreatment are discussed.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 301 - Interpersonal Communications
    Course DescriptionThe student will acquire interpersonal skills by focusing on the use of self in interaction with children, youth, co-workers and allied professionals. The influence of personal values, attitudes, and interpersonal communications style on individuals and groups will be explored.
    Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 101
  • CYC 302 - Therapeutic Recreational Programming
    Course DescriptionThe student will be introduced to the therapeutic role of recreation and play as essential rights for children and youth. Students will be able to assess developmental needs, plan, identify, implement and evaluate activities. The role of recreation in relation to children's physical, emotional, cultural and social needs will be examined.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr. Lab 2 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 101
  • CYC 303 - Internship I
    Course DescriptionStudents are required to complete approximately 384 hours of an internship experience, plus a seminar for the duration of the internship, in programs or services for children and youth. Internship 1 is a block placement undertaken three days per week for one term. It is a two credit course. Clear standing is required. The student must submit a portfolio to document achievement of competency goals. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr.
    GPA Weight:2.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:2.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 102
    Custom Requisites:This course is not available to Direct Entry students.
  • CYC 347 - Professional Issues
    Course DescriptionThis course covers a range of professional issues encountered by child and youth workers, including boundaries, ethics, and the professional status of the discipline. Each professional issue is critically examined in relation to issues of power, language, diversity and the transition from theory to practice. (CYC 347 plus CYC 847 is equivalent to CYC 47A/B).
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 101 or Direct Entry
  • CYC 402 - Group Work with Children and Youth
    Course DescriptionThis course examines group dynamics and process. A developmental framework will be used to explore the uniqueness of group work with children and youth. Roles of group members, the stages of group development and the role of groups in maintaining a therapeutic milieu are reviewed and applied in community settings.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr. Lab 2 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 101
  • CYC 405 - Therapeutic Foundations
    Course DescriptionThis course is an introduction to the therapeutic philosophies and foundational processes of child and youth care practice. The student will gain knowledge of the language, theories and practices involved in the change process. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis, evidence-based as well as reflective practice, relative to the values, beliefs and assumptions of the student as well as the children, youth and families being served and how this informs professional practice.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 406 - Therapeutic Life-Space
    Course DescriptionThis course provides a theoretical exploration of therapeutic life-space intervention as the central concept in working with children and youth in today?s global context. The core of child and youth care practice is to be with young people where they are living their lives. This course introduces therapeutic life-space as a unified concept with physical, mental, relational, and virtual dimensions centred on the young person's interactions with life, place, space, and time. This contemporary conceptualization of therapeutic life-space reflects changes in social conventions, technology, and evolving cultural diversity.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 409 - Social Research and Evaluation I
    Course DescriptionThis course will introduce students to the theoretical conceptual and practice contexts of conducting research in child and youth care contexts. Topics and themes include an introduction to the core ideas behind different research approaches and designs as well as an in-depth exploration of research ethics.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 48A/B - Independent Study
    Course Description

    This course is a thesis project and will involve consultation with a Faculty Advisor to establish a contract for learning objectives and an evaluation scheme.

    Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs./3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:2.00
    Billing Units:1/1
    Count:2.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 601 and CYC 602 and CYC 605 and CYC 702 and CYC 705
  • CYC 505 - Management in Human Service Organizations
    Course DescriptionIntroduces students to the concepts and vocabulary of organizational behaviour and its application to the practice of management and supervision in organizations that serve children and youth. Topics include organizational theories and structures, job design, work motivation, performance appraisal, staff recruitment, training and retention, and organizational leadership and supervision. Case studies will facilitate applications of course material.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 515 - Cyber Technology and Communication
    Course DescriptionThis course explores the influence of current and emerging applications of technology in child and youth care practice and society. In this course, students will become familiar with new and existing technologies, understand the implications of technologies on people, and learn about appropriate professional practices for community or direct interventions using these digitally mediated communication technologies. Through experiential learning activities, students will explore technologies such as social networking, blogging, mobile technology, user-generated content and virtual environments. Topics will include: digitally mediated communication, social advocacy and community practice applications, diversity, and ethics.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 517 - CYC Practice in Developmental Services
    Course DescriptionThis course will appeal to students interested in the developmental services sectors of the field given the rapid growth of child and youth care practice in this sector and notably in the autism sector. Topics explored include social models of disability, service sectors, and approaches to practice in the context of developmental services.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 518 - Special Topics
    Course DescriptionThis Special Topics course explores particularly current or 'hot' topics or themes in the field of child and youth care not covered elsewhere in the curriculum. Like all Special Topics courses at Ryerson University, this course will have different content whenever it is offered.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 519 - Independent Reading
    Course DescriptionIndependent Reading offers students with very specific interests in a research area of child and youth care practice an opportunity to develop those interests under the supervision of a faculty member. This can serve as excellent preparation for graduate studies. This course will be offered to students on a case-by-case basis contingent on the agreement of a faculty member to supervise the student.
    Weekly Contact:Tutorial 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Consent:Departmental consent required
  • CYC 550 - Foundations of Social Innovation
    Course DescriptionThe focus of this lecture course is to introduce students to the methods and practices social innovators are using to address complex social problems. The course will provide an overview of social innovation methods and enable a "deep dive" into specific methods that interest students or support a project in development. It will also provide students with the opportunity to network about a particular project idea or area of interest.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 560 - Social Innovation in Practice
    Course DescriptionThe course unfolds through a combination of classroom guests, lectures and off-campus attendance at learning events in Toronto's rich social innovation community. The focus of the course is: 1) to introduce students to the field of social innovation, focusing on innovation activity in the Toronto social sectors, 2) to foster and support the development of a change project or area of interest with respect to social change and 3) to help students see themselves as 'change makers' in the current social context. Students will build the capacity to become leaders in social service organizations, innovating non-profits or social enterprises and work with intractable social problems.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 570 - Social Innovation in Action
    Course DescriptionThis course aims to provide an opportunity for students to put their learning into action by developing and implementing a social innovation activity in the community, focused on the particular area of interest identified by the student and consistent with the subject-specific learning through the student's choice of elective courses. This course will include provisions for a mentoring component through community partners and practice leaders. The course brings together the skills, knowledge and tools acquired in the courses that have preceded it by giving students an opportunity to relate these understandings to 'real-world' social innovation applications.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 550 and CYC 560
  • CYC 601 - Social Research Methods
    Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to the quantitative and qualitative research methods of the applied social sciences. Methodological assumptions, concepts and procedures will be presented. Students will develop their ability to review and critique existing literature and to construct their own research. Specific course topics include sampling procedures, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, questionnaire, interviews and focus groups, reliability and validity, basic data analysis methods, ethical issues and the use of computers in social research.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Antirequisites:CYC 409
  • CYC 602 - Children's Rights
    Course DescriptionThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is examined. The convention is explored within the framework of human rights principles and citizenship. Policy and practice implications will be considered through the lens of child rights approach. Consideration will be given to understanding children's development as "citizens" and children's participation in society.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 604 - Social Research and Evaluation II
    Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to specific techniques and approaches associated with quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methods of the applied social sciences. Methodological assumptions, concepts and procedures will be presented. Students will develop their ability to review and critique existing literature and to construct their own research and program evaluations. Specific course topics include sampling procedures, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, questionnaire, interviews and focus groups, reliability and validity, basic data analysis methods, ethical issues and the use of computers in social research.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 409
  • CYC 605 - Advanced Therapeutic Interventions
    Course DescriptionThe range of therapeutic procedures is examined with a focus on behavioural disorders of children and adolescents. A primary goal of the course is to enable students to critically evaluate a variety of therapeutic techniques, the theoretical assumptions underlying those techniques and the reported results of the interventions. The aim is to permit the student to work effectively in a range of organizational settings in which a variety of therapeutic techniques may be employed.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 401 or Direct Entry
    Antirequisites:CYC 608
  • CYC 607 - Therapeutic Assessment
    Course DescriptionThis course examines current theories, models, and practices relating to assessment work with children and youth in the context of their life space including their family, the community, school, and residential care. Through readings, critical discussion, and experiential learning about current assessment practices, students will increase their knowledge, competence, and skills to plan and undertake comprehensive, collaborative assessments with children and adolescents that have explicit treatment needs.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 405 or CYC 406
  • CYC 608 - Therapeutic Intervention
    Course DescriptionThis course builds on the learning acquired in CYC 607 Therapeutic Assessment and focuses on applying theory to direct therapeutic practice. Students will develop therapeutic skills and be able to identify and articulate the dominant paradigms informing their practice. Emphasis will be placed on treatment goal setting that is child centred, informed by an assessment process that is ongoing, is specific to the current needs and capacity of the child/youth, and is measurable and achievable in a reasonable time frame.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 405 or CYC 406
  • CYC 60A/B - Internship II
    Course Description

    Students are required to complete approximately 384 hours of an internship experience, plus a seminar for the duration of the internship, in programs or services for children and youth. Normally registration for this two semester course will be in the fall and winter terms of year 3. Clear standing is required. The student must submit a portfolio to document achievement of competency goals. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. (This course is not available to Direct Entry students).

    Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr./1 hr. Lab 16 hrs./16 hrs.
    GPA Weight:2.00
    Billing Units:1/1
    Count:2.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 30B
    Corequisites:CYC 601, CYC 602, CYC 702
  • CYC 702 - Ecological Perspectives in CYC
    Course DescriptionAn ecological approach is used as a conceptual framework for understanding the behaviours of children and adolescents. Structural, biological, psychological, social, cultural and familial factors will be examined. A variety of theoretical viewpoints will be used to examine the multiple systems in which Child and Youth Care practice occurs. Child and Youth Care practice, which is strength-based, holistic and founded upon a set of established ethical principles will be explored from multiple perspectives.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Antirequisites:CYC 406
  • CYC 705 - Special Topics: Program Evaluation
    Course DescriptionThis course will introduce students to the principles, concepts and vocabulary of program evaluation, with a focus on programs and services for children and youth. Major components of the course include needs assessments, program logic models, the trend toward evidence-based practice, common research approaches, review of current literature and ethical issues in evaluation research.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Antirequisites:CYC 604
  • CYC 800 - Intensive In-Home Family Support
    Course DescriptionFocuses on a Child and Youth Care Approach to working with families. Topics covered include: characteristics of a CYC approach and effective workers; history and culture; context of interventions; understanding behaviour in context; meaning-making; a CYC process of intervention; the role of self in family work; and reflection in practice. Special emphasis is placed on working with families in their home and community.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 801 - Psycho-Educational Support
    Course DescriptionPsycho-educational support is an essential component of school success for children and youth who have experienced trauma, are lacking supportive environments outside of school, or are diagnosed with mental health problems. This course will explore the role of the child and youth worker in the school and develop skills for supporting individuals and groups of children; working with teachers; understanding the school environment; and advocating for social-emotional needs of children and youth.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 802 - Incident Response with Children and Youth
    Course DescriptionThis course builds on previous knowledge of theoretical orientations to therapeutic relationships. Crisis theory is examined within a developmental-ecological perspective. Introduces students to critical incident debriefing protocols and first and second order crisis intervention responses to catastrophic situations. The focus is on interventions with children and youth within their milieu by front line children's service personnel.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 401 or CYC 702
    Antirequisites:CYC 809
  • CYC 803 - Advocacy in Child and Youth Services
    Course DescriptionThis course examines self, direct service, and policy advocacy.. Explored are advocacy principles, types of advocacy, partnership approaches and ethical dilemmas. Tactics and strategies utilized in case and policy advocacy are evaluated. Students will be able to identify situations of advocacy, critically examine the agenda and develop an advocacy strategy.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 804 - Integrated Case Management
    Course DescriptionChild and youth care practitioners are often required to liaise with other professionals and placed in a case management/co-ordination role by virtue of their contact with the child/youth and his/her family in the day to day environment. This course will develop knowledge and skills in inter-disciplinary consultation; understanding and using assessment reports; documentation case planning; accessing resources; service co-ordination and an introduction to multi-disciplinary teamwork.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 602 and CYC 605
    Antirequisites:CYC 819
  • CYC 805 - Special Issues: Program Development
    Course DescriptionThe development of specialized programs for groups of children and youth will be addressed. The processes of inception, needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of program effectiveness will be examined using current examples in the areas of prevention and/or postvention programming from the literature and the community. Students will develop an understanding of both the current trends in service programming and how to critique the strength and weaknesses of a program.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 806 - Advanced Placement
    Course DescriptionThis placement enhances the student's skills in a specialized area of child and youth care practice not previously experienced. Students are expected to identify a mentor and choose a placement based on their future career interests. Students are required to complete 200 hours of direct client contact hours and submit a portfolio documenting learning.
    Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 60A/B or Direct Entry
  • CYC 807 - Advanced Group Work
    Course DescriptionThis course builds on the foundational knowledge provided in CYC 402 and examines therapeutic group work with children and youth. A range of groups (e.g. therapeutic recreation, trauma, grief) will be discussed within a developmental-ecological framework. Types, stages and forms of therapeutic groups will be explored.
    Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 402 or Direct Entry
  • CYC 808 - Residential Care Techniques
    Course DescriptionThis course, founded in contemporary, competency-based Child and Youth Care practice, explores approaches, strategies, and techniques in residential care. Areas covered will include: approaches to group care, characteristics of effective programs, family involvement; intervention planning; needs based interventions; therapeutic discipline, crisis and opportunity; activities; and the role of supervision.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 809 - Trauma-Informed Practice
    Course DescriptionThis course builds on previous knowledge of therapeutic assessment and intervention and theoretical orientations to therapeutic relationships. In this course, trauma theory is examined within a developmental-ecological perspective. Students will explore the impact of trauma on child development, drawing on attachment, neurobiological, and socio-cultural components of trauma. The practical aspects of undertaking therapeutic care are examined including forming therapeutic relationships and the importance of trauma-informed life-space interventions. Emphasis will be placed on trauma-informed practice skills and strategies that have applicability to a wide variety of trauma contexts. Through experiential learning and case study applications students are provided opportunities to go beyond the theoretical and explore real-world complex situations using in-class simulations. This course considers trauma-informed practice at the individual, group, organization and community levels.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 607 and CYC 608
  • CYC 819 - Practice with Families
    Course DescriptionStudents will have the opportunity to learn a family systems approach to assessment and intervention which recognizes family structure and clarity of boundaries; intergenerational groupings and interactions; gender and interests; parental, spousal and sibling dynamics; roles, rules and relationships in families. A multi-disciplinary approach to understanding family systems will be provided. This course will offer family practice experience through direct observation, participation and opportunity for analysis from the context of the various theoretical frameworks and life space settings.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 607 and CYC 608
    Antirequisites:CYC 804
  • CYC 822 - Professional Practice and Identity
    Course DescriptionThis course is strategically positioned in the final term of the Program in order to allow students to consolidate their learning in preparation for work in the field and/or advanced study. The focus of the course is on the social ecology of the workplace; social innovation; enhancement of critical reflection through supervision and career planning and development.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 803 or CYC 602 or CYC 347
    Antirequisites:CYC 847
  • CYC 825 - Independent Studies
    Course DescriptionThis course is a cap stone course and will involve consultation with a Faculty Advisor to establish a contract for learning objectives and an evaluation scheme. Students have an option of doing either a literature review or a small-scale original research project.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 409 and CYC 604
  • CYC 847 - Professional Issues II
    Course DescriptionThis advanced course provides for in-depth analyses of core professional issues in the discipline. Issues are explored from management, research, education and policy perspectives, with case studies and scenarios from Canada and from across the world. (CYC 347 plus CYC 847 is equivalent to CYC 47A/B)
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Prerequisites:CYC 347 and CYC 602 and CYC 705
    Antirequisites:CYC 822
  • CYC 900 - Diversity Issues for Children and Youth
    Course DescriptionThis course examines child and youth care practice in a Canadian multicultural context. The literature on race and ethnic relations, including reports from government and service agencies, will be considered with a view to increasing the student's appreciation of multiculturalism as well to encourage an examination of the implications for child and youth care practice.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
  • CYC 905 - An Indigenous Perspective on CYC
    Course DescriptionThis course addresses the history of abuse and oppression that continues to impact on the wellbeing of Aboriginal children, youth and families. Students will be presented with approaches to working with Aboriginal young people that are culturally sensitive and draw on Aboriginal ways of being. From this course, it is hoped that students will be able to enrich their practice by gaining an understanding of partnership models for care, intervention and service delivery.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00