Department of Child Studies and Social Work

General Information

The Bachelor of Child Studies (BCST) is a four-year baccalaureate degree. This unique interdisciplinary program draws on the disciplines of Child and Youth Care and Early Learning by offering a choice of two programs; Child and Youth Care Counsellor (CYCC) or Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC). The Bachelor of Child Studies combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare students to take leadership roles in the provision of services for children, youth and families in community settings. Course work focuses on the development of knowledge and abilities that support an understanding of leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, policies and systems, and mentoring skills. Course work also builds upon individual and group programming skills by facilitating a greater understanding of assessment and behavioural strategies, mental health interventions and collaborations with families. Community-based experiences, in the form of practicums, are key components of this program - where experiential learning in the first three years of the degree provides students with opportunities to integrate theoretical concepts with practical applications. The fourth year of the program offers students a capstone course in which they participate in a faculty-supervised, collaborative project that includes applied research, a community development project and/or a unique applied practical experience.

The Bachelor of Child Studies degree develops reflective practitioners to meet the ever-growing labour market demand for professionals to work with children and youth. The degree prepares graduates who are highly qualified for direct employment in a vast array of community-based settings. Graduates are able to develop and support individualized program needs or make referrals to services required by children, staff and families, as well as understand how to work collaboratively from an interdisciplinary perspective. Early Learning and Child Care graduates will meet the certification requirements for Level 3 from Alberta Child Care Staff Certification. Child and Youth Care Counsellor graduates are eligible to begin the process of certification with the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta

Background Checks

All students preparing for practicum must provide a current Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check, at their own expense. It is each practicum agency’s decision to accept or reject a student for placement based upon the results of police information or other background checks. Since completion of course requirements and eventual employment in a field of study may be dependent upon the results of such checks, students who have concerns should discuss the matter with the department chair.

General Admission Requirements

All students must meet the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants must also satisfy the following criteria:

Academic Course Requirements

The following specific courses (or equivalencies) with the specified minimum grades are required for admission into the Bachelor of Child Studies program:

English Language Arts 30-1 - 60%

CYCC or ELCC Post-Diploma Entrance Option

Students possessing a completed CYCC or ELCC diploma from an accredited post-secondary institution may apply through a competitive process directly into the BCST. Students accepted with a post-secondary diploma may receive transfer credit towards the Bachelor of Child Studies degree.

Indigenous Student Admission

Each year up to 15% of the seats in the Bachelor of Child Studies program will be reserved for Indigenous applications through an Indigenous admission target. To be considered for admission under the Indigenous admission target, the applicant must:

self-identify as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission
meet the definition of an Indigenous Applicant
meet the minimum admission requirements as indicated in the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University as well as any program level admission requirements

Designated seats for this special consideration target will be filled by aboriginal applicants on a competitive basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply during early admission. Any unfilled designated seats will be released on June 15 to students applying under the general admission requirements.

See general admission requirements in the Admission section of this calendar for further information.