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Program Information

• Program Overview
• Tuition and Fees
• Admission
• PLAR
• Courses

Program Overview

Location(s):	Distance Learning SIAST Kelsey Campus, Saskatoon
Length: 35 weeks

Overview

The Youth Care Worker Diploma program builds on the skills developed in the Youth Care Worker Certificate program. You will learn about more specific issues and develop the specialized skills needed to work with youth.

You will study:

• cultural diversity
• suicide prevention
• sexual victimization
• abnormal psychology
• therapeutic intervention strategies
• community development
• conflict resolution
• family systems
• individual assessment and development of case plans
• small group facilitation
• agency administration

Your practicum placements will provide you with hands-on experience in applying your knowledge and skills and in integrating theory and practice. They may take place in a group home, community agency, community school or residential treatment centre.

The program is available full-time at SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon and on a part-time basis during the day over a year and a half at SIAST Wascana Campus in Regina.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may be employed as family support workers, group home staff, program coordinators or community outreach workers in a range of human service agencies (primarily through community-based organizations that operate supportive services for youth and families).

The settings and programs in which our graduates may find employment include

• community-based child and youth programs,
• parent education and training,
• family support,
• school-based programs,
• residential treatment,
• recreation programs,
• therapeutic foster homes,
• child and youth advocacy,
• juvenile or adult justice programs,
• community development,
• AIDS education and support,
• teen moms and
• life skills training.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the campus nearest you.

Program Details

Start Date(s): September

Tuition and Fees

• For complete details on tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the SIAST campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

Admission Information

Admission Requirements

• Youth Care Worker Certificate
• English Language Requirement

Note

• A security clearance, personal interview and/or a medical may be required for your practicum placements or observation visits.

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores and Post Secondary Success Requirements for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER©

See Certificate program

Post-Secondary Success

See Certificate program

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of SIAST programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

SIAST recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training. Frequently asked questions regarding PLAR for this program are answered in the Factsheet. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.

• Factsheet
• Candidate Guide
• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many SIAST students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. To learn more, visit our transfer credit web page.

 

Transfer credit options vary over time; this information is subject to change. Transfer credit options for this program include:

• block transfer of 60 credit units to Athabasca University
• selected courses are transferrable to SIAST's Correctional Studies and Aboriginal Police Preparation programs

Courses

Code	Course Name/Description	Credits
ADMN 286	Administration You will receive an overview of the organizational structure and operation of human service agencies. You will learn the principles of volunteer management and the process of writing effective proposals. Credit Units: 3 Other Hours: 45 Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group	3
CLTR 180	Culture and Diversity You will be introduced to the many facets of culture. Your studies will focus on the personal attitudes and values involved in appreciating cultural differences. You will explore multiculturalism in Canadian society and discuss practices that promote acceptance of differences in society. Credit Units: 3 Lecture Hours: 45 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual, Lecture/Theory, Print Distance Group, Web CT/Blackboard	3
COUN 180	Suicide Intervention You will acquire knowledge and develop skills related to suicide intervention and prevention, and explore the common perspectives about suicide. The processes of assessing and addressing risk, employing intervention techniques, developing follow-up and community involvement will be emphasized. Credit Units: 2 Other Hours: 30 Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group	2
HUMR 281	Group Facilitation The course will introduce you to the foundations of group work. You will be provided with the opportunity to develop practical skills in group facilitation. Credit Units: 3 Other Hours: 45 Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group	3
PRAC 398	Practicum 1 The course provides you with an opportunity to acquire extended experience working within programs for youth. The experience will help you apply the knowledge you gained from course work and build skills you need for employment in a real work setting. You will have the opportunity to assess, plan, implement and evaluate a program for a client and to facilitate, evaluate and revise program plans for established agency programs. You will be involved in managing education sessions for agency clientele. Credit Units: 13 Other Hours: 194 Prerequisites(s): HUMR 281, YCW 281, YCW 285, YCW 288 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Clinical/Practicum-Individual, Clinical/Practicum, Web CT/Blackboard	13
PRAC 399	Practicum 2 The course provides you with a second opportunity to acquire extended experience working within programs for youth. The focus of your second practicum experience is on the administrative functions that youth care professionals carry out in the workplace. You will learn to develop your leadership skills. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in your presentation, group facilitation and conflict resolution skills. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing your professional and personal growth. Credit Units: 13 Other Hours: 194 Prerequisites(s): ADMN 286, CLTR 180, COUN 180, HUMR 281, PRAC 398, PSYC 188, PSYC 189, SPSY 290, YCW 282, YCW 283 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Clinical/Practicum-Individual, Clinical/Practicum, Web CT/Blackboard	13
PSYC 188	Psychology A The course provides an introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. The course content includes psychology as a discipline, neuroscience and behavior, learning, memory, motivation, stress and stressors. Credit Units: 3 Lecture Hours: 40 Equivalent Course(s): PSYC 184 Learning Method(s): Print Distance Individual, Lecture/Theory, Print Distance Group	3
PSYC 189	Psychology B The course is a continuation of the scientific examination of human behavior introduced in PSYC 188 (Psychology A).The course content includes personality, abnormal psychology, theories of emotional disturbance, treating emotional disturbance and altered states of consciousness. Credit Units: 3 Lecture Hours: 40 Learning Method(s): Print Distance Individual, Lecture/Theory, Print Distance Group	3
SPSY 290	Abnormal Psychology The course will provide you with an introduction to a range of disorders that often lead to abnormal behaviors seen in youth at risk. You will learn about how these disorders are manifested and treated. The purpose of the course is to expose you to the behaviours you are likely to encounter in the field so that you are better prepared to assist clients. Credit Units: 3 Other Hours: 45 Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group	3
YCW 281	Youth Care Practices 2 Your studies will focus on the role of community development as tool to improve service for youth. You will learn how to advocate for change and manage barriers that impede effective service delivery. Credit Units: 3 Other Hours: 45 Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group	3
YCW 282	Family Systems You will examine patterns of marriage and family in Canadian society. You will explore the issues and challenges facing families and develop strategies to improve family function. Credit Units: 3 Other Hours: 45 Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group	3
YCW 283	Sexual Victimization Your studies will focus on the scope and characteristics of sexual violence in Canada. You will learn to identify indicators of sexual abuse, the impact on the victim and family and the recovery process. The importance of self-awareness and self-care is stressed. Credit Units: 3 Lecture Hours: 40 Prerequisites(s): Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Print Distance Group	3
YCW 285	Conflict Resolution You will be introduced to conflict theory and the many different ways of resolving interpersonal conflicts. You will examine a model interest based conflict resolution for resolving conflicts and be expected to act as a mediator by applying the different stages of the model. Finally, you will look at mediation within the criminal justice system, as well as; family conferencing and restorative justice on a community based level. Credit Units: 3 Lecture Hours: 45 Prerequisites(s): Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Lecture/Theory, Print Distance Group	3
YCW 288	Behaviour Intervention Strategies Building on the skills you acquired in MGMT 281 (Behavioral Principles and Practices), you will study additional helping models of intervention used in youth care work. Credit Units: 3 Other Hours: 45 Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group	3

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