Child/Youth Care (CYC)

College of Liberal Studies
Contact: Lisa Caya
331a Graff Main Hall,
(608)785-6895
email: mailto:caya.lisa@uwlax.edu

www.uwlax.edu/psychology/cyc

Coordinators: Caya (Psychology); Zollweg (Sociology); Wycoff-Horn (Health Education), Herling (ESHR Programs); Keller (School of Education)

The child and youth care emphasis is a multidisciplinary program designed to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to promote the well being of all children and adolescents. Special attention is given to vulnerable/at-risk populations within the context of the family, the community, and the life span. This emphasis assists students who may work within a wide variety of settings including: early child care and education, community-based and youth development programs, parent education and family support, school based programs, community mental health, group homes, residential centers, day and residential treatment, early intervention, home-based care and treatment, psychiatric centers, rehabilitation programs, pediatric health care, and juvenile justice programs.

Child and Youth Care Emphasis(All colleges) - 25 credits.

Note: to use CYC as a program option in place of a minor in the CLS college requirements, 18 of the 25 credits must be taken outside of declared major.

Required Core Courses - 9 credits:

  • CYC 210 - 3 credits
  • CYC 450 - 3 credits*
  • CYC 495 - 3 credits

*  Can also be satisfied by other departmental internships with a Child Youth Care component — CEI 450, HED 495/498, (if done with pediatric population), PSY 450, REC 450, RTH 498, SOC 450 if it has a vulnerable and at-risk child/youth focus.

  • Human Development (1-2 courses required; two courses recommended)
    Non-Psychology Majors
    PSY 212..... 3 credits

    Psychology Majors (two developmental courses required):
    PSY 210..... 3 credits

    Select one additional developmental course from the following:
    PSY 355, 356, 357
  • Vulnerable and At-Risk Youth (two courses required) Select courses from at least two different subcategories 1-5.
    1. Alcohol and Drug Abuse:
      HED 469 - 3 credits
      SOC 326 - 3 credits
    2. Child Welfare:
      HED 207 - 3 credits
      HED 417 - 1 credit
      HED 422 - 1 credit
      RTH 330 - 3 credits
      RTH 400 - 3 credits
      RTH 401 - 2 credits
    3. Disabilities:
      ESS 231 - 3 credits
    4. Behavioral Concerns:
      PSY 304 - 3 credits
      PSY 417 - 3 credits
      SOC 370 - 3 credits
    5. Youth At Risk:
      HED 425 - 3 credits
      PSY 490 - 3 credits
      (appropriate topic)
      RTH 333 - 3 credits
      SOC 321 - 3 credits
      SOC 324 - 3 credits
  • Family Dynamics (complete one course):
    CST 336 - 3 credits
    SOC 212 - 3 credits
  • Communication/Intervention (complete one course):
    CST 230 - 3 credits
    CST 330 - 3 credits
    CST 354 - 3 credits
    PSY 347 - 3 credits
    PSY 401 - 3 credits
    RTH 470 - 4 credits 
    RTH 474 - 3 credits
    RTH 483 - 3 credits
  • Group Dynamics (complete one course):
    CST 365 - 3 credits
    PSY 343 - 3 credits
    REC 200 - 3 credits
    SOC 334 - 3 credits
  • Multicultural Component (complete one course):
    CST 215 - 3 credits
    CST 332 - 3 credits
    CHE 453 - 1-3 credits
    EFN 290 - 1-3 credits (appropriate topic)
    EFN 486 - 1-3 credits
    PSY 282 - 3 credits
    PSY 360 - 3 credits
    RTH 204 - 2 credits

    Also can be fulfilled by completing one of the following General Education courses: EFN 205, ERS 100, ERS/ENG 207, 210, or 215, HIS 306, PSY 285, SOC 225, WGS 230 (all three-credit courses)

  • Optional: Recommended electives. Choose from any courses not completed above, or any of the following to meet the 25 total credits in this program.
    CHE 440 - 3 credits
    CST 380 - 3 credits
    CST 430 - 3 credits
    HED 345 - 3 credits
    HED 474 - 3 credits
    POL 211 - 3 credits
    POL 221 - 3 credits
    POL 306 - 3 credits
    PSY 404 - 3 credits
    REC 207 - 1 credit
    RTH 326 - 3 credits

CYC 210 Cr. 3 Overview of Child and Youth Care

As the overview course in the child and youth care emphasis, the class will provide coverage of current issues in the field of child and youth intervention. Students will be exposed to some of the overlapping disciplines involved in the field, will begin to explore concepts (e.g. variables that place children and youth at risk), and begin to gain skills required to become a competent and compassionate child and youth care worker. Students will learn about advocacy, issues of program design and implementation, and systems impacting on the field of intervention with children and adolescents. Prerequisite: PSY 212 or 210 and sophomore standing. Offered Fall.

CYC 450 Cr. 1-6 Internship in Child/Youth Care

An academically relevant field experience for students in the Child/Youth Care Emphasis. The internship must be at an approved site with substantial time devoted to work with children or adolescents at risk. The internship will be arranged through Career Services and supervised by a child/youth care emphasis affiliated faculty member. Prerequisite: junior standing, CYC 210, and 2.25 cumulative grade point average. Pass/Fail grading. Repeatable for credit – maximum six. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

CYC 495 Cr. 3 Capstone in Child Youth Care

This course is designed to review and unify basic concepts regarding the care of children and youth, particularly those considered “at-risk”. Particular emphasis will be on the multi-level factors that impact the well being of children and youth, ethics and legal issues, diversity, and program assessment. A systems approach for understanding the vulnerable or at-risk youth will provide a broad framework and the course will be taught from a problem-based learning perspective. Prerequisite: junior standing, CYC 210, and a minimum of 18 credits of the CYC course work completed. Offered Spring.