This program focuses on often-overlooked child competencies and explores the changing status of childhood and youth in Canada and internationally. You'll take a critical view of the social institutions around childhood, such as the home, schools, community programs, and the legal system. Amplifying children's voices, advancing their rights, and taking their experiences seriously will feature prominently in your courses.
Childhood and Youth Studies (CYS) is an interdisciplinary program delivered by a faculty trained as educators, social workers, legal scholars and practitioners, sociologists, policy analysts, political scientists, and historians. You'll become a champion of children's rights, advocates for their increased participation in society through the careful study of the policies, laws, and practices of childhood and youth. Your education will prepare you for a career in education, social services and healthcare, family law, youth justice, child protection, policy research, community advocacy and related professions.
Expand your options with a double major with Social Justice and Peace Studies, Human Rights Studies, Disability Studies or other degrees in the social sciences.
Or start on the pathway to Western Ed – CYS is one of the King's programs that can get you there.
Program Options
| Area of Study | Honours Specialization | Specialization | Major | Minor | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH STUDIES | |||||
| CHILDHOOD AND ADVOCACY | |||||
| CHILDHOOD AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM |
Sample Courses
Money Matters
Scholarships/Awards
Investigate the generous unlimited and guaranteed entrance scholarships King's offers to domestic and international high school students.
Residence
Explore your options for on-campus accommodations – they're guaranteed for first-year students who apply before June 2.
Potential Career Paths
Potential career paths for CYS graduates include the following:
- Primary/Junior Teaching
- Intermediate/Secondary Teaching
- Early Childhood Education
- Family Law
- Family Mediation and Counseling
- Child Protection Services
- Youth Justice
- Recreational Services
- Social and Health Services
- Social Work
- Social Policy Research
- Community Program Advocacy, Development, and Leadership
What People Are Saying
I feel that my time at King's has helped give me a fresh perspective on how to best reach students. Having just been a first year I got the chance to make note of the things I felt the King's community did best to make me feel seen and heard.
I believe my academic background in Childhood and Youth Studies and Disability Studies shifted my understanding to be more inclusive of all bodies, minds and abilities as well as age groups.
The program gave me an outlook towards children ... the way I look at every client and patient I serve is through a lens of advocacy and respect. I assume capacity and the highest of ability from every person I support ... I view them as an equal, and that is largely because [the program] allowed me to understand the limits we put on others because of their social position.
I am working in the youth justice services department in a diversion program for youth aged 12-17 who have been in conflict with the law (...) The program gives youth sanctions that are proportionate to the crime the youth has committed but also strives to support youth and their families. The C.S.I. program was a catalyst for myself and the work that I am doing as I am continuing to strive to be an advocate for young people. I do not think I would be where I am today if it was not for the C.S.I. program
Meet Our Faculty - Childhood and Youth Studies
Dr. Patrick Ryan
Department Chair
Dr. Daniella Bendo
Assistant Professor
Maria Bernard
Lecturer
Dr. Dustin Ciufo
Assistant Professor
Laurel Donison
Lecturer
Dr. Hunter Knight
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jennifer Silcox
Assistant Professor
Dr. Rachel Birnbaum
Adjunct Research Professor and Distinguished University Professor Emerita
