Bachelor of Applied Science - Child Studies (GYF)

The CYF major places a child’s physical and social development in the context of the family and the community. It prepares students for future careers in a variety of social services geared toward young people. The CYF major combines the rigors of the biological and social sciences, enabling students to look at the child from infancy to adolescence in a variety of family and community settings. Courses in human/child development, physiology, and couple and family dynamics are taught by recognized leaders in their fields and complemented by practicum courses to provide theoretical and first-hand experience with children and youth.

The academic program in the CYF major provides a combination of traditional lectures and seminars with the application of theory in practicum courses. These practicum courses enable students to apply the social and biological components of human development in various family, community and educational settings. Students work directly with young children in the Child Care and Learning Centre or with youth in the community for one semester during their 3rd year; and an optional practicum, FRHD*4340 in 4th year working with youth or FRHD*4330 working with children up to age 12 for one semester. Also, a lab exercise is conducted at the Child Care and Learning Centre for the FRHD*3180, Observation and Assessment Laboratory course. This variety of experiences affords students greater opportunity to apply the theory obtained in class to real-world issues.