Our Department offers a variety of resources available to our students, such as our most recent Advising checklists.

The Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success (CAASS) will help with course selection and devise an academic plan that will work best for you and your schedule.  Advising can be conducted in person, via telephone, or on TEAMS. Students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor at least once per academic year; Click here to book your appointment.

Interested in applying to the program? Find out more information about admission requirements.

Information on Practicum & Challenge for credit specifics are also available.

Child & Youth Study News

Congratulations Award Winners!

Congratulations to CYS Student Award Winners for 2023-2024:  Michaelea Silver, Krista Oickle and Kayleigh Rennie. 

Michaelea is the recipient of the Department of Child and Youth Study Lindsey Cousineau Award (valued at $1000).  Krista was this year’s winner of the CYS Award in Academic Excellence (valued at $500); While Kayleigh was awarded the Practicum Award for outstanding performance in her first practicum placement (value $500).  CONGRATULATIONS to all!

Michaelea Silver, 2024 Lindsey Cousineau Award Winner 

Krista Oickle, 2024 Winner of the Award for Academic Excellence.

Kayleigh Rennie, Practicum Award Winner 2023-2024

 

Further Congratulations are extended to MA(CYS) Students Sebastian Gaskarth and Kenisha Reid.

Earlier this year Sebastian was awarded the Field Family Graduate Award in Child and Youth Study, while Kenisha received the  GCYS Senate Medal during the spring convocation ceremony.

Well done BA(CYS) Honours Students Marcy MacNeil, Madyson Parlee, Abigail Patey and Jordyn Riou.  Marcy, Maddy, Abby and Jordyn successfully presented their honours thesis earlier this spring.  We also extend our congratulations to BA(CYS) Honours Graduate, Milena Pimentel who was awarded the President’s Prize, and Jordyn Rioux who was awarded Membership to Kappa Gamma Pi during the Spring Convocation ceremonies.

Finally, BA(CYS) TBA was awarded the Canadian Progress Club-Halifax Child and Youth Study Scholarship in Memory of Patricia Morse Fall 2024.

Honours Program

Each year in March the Department holds its Honours Program information event.  All current CYS Students are notified of this event in January via email. During the event you will meet with CYS Faculty, discuss the various aspects of the honours program, the application process, and have the chance to ask questions and build relationships.

POLICY & GUIDELINES

Application Procedure

Students wishing to obtain an honours degree must make formal application through the Department by May 1 after the completion of 15 units. Acceptance will only be considered upon completion of the below entrance requirements. Students are encouraged to discuss thesis topics with individual faculty, and the Department will actively support students in identifying an available Supervisor.

Honours Thesis STEPS:

The following points are relevant procedural matters related to successful applicants:

1. Following acceptance into the Honours Program, the student and their supervisor will meet and mutually agree on how best to approach the student’s area of study. Requirements for CHYS 4499 will be outlined, expectations clarified, specific conditions noted, and timelines drawn up.

2. Students using human subjects must obtain ethical approval from the Department of Child & Youth Study Ethics Committee and the University Research Ethics Board (UREB) prior to initiating the study. In consultation with their Supervisor students will be required to fill out the appropriate MSVU Ethics Review Applications form.

3. The thesis supervisor, in consultation with the student, will ask another faculty member to be a member to be a second reader.

4. Generally, the student will submit a proposed thesis outline to their supervisor by September 30. A proposed thesis will then be submitted by November 15 and the final copies of the completed thesis (hardcopy or electronic) must be submitted by March 30. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent the student from meeting these time frames, they should contact their supervisor. On reading day in April, all students will make an oral presentation of their theses before faculty and all other Honours students. All final corrections/ amendments completed, and two copies of the final thesis must be submitted by April 15 (this date may change in some years if classes end very early or late). Dates are dependent on the project and decided in consultation between the student and the thesis supervisor. Students who do not meet the final deadline will be given an incomplete (inc) grade.  The final draft must be submitted electronically to the thesis supervisor and committee member(s) for feedback. The supervisor and committee member then individually evaluate the draft, noting where any changes need to be made. Minor changes are overseen by the supervisor. Extensive changes must be discussed and negotiated between the student, the thesis supervisor and the second reader.

5. The final grade in CHYS 4499 will be determined through discussion between the thesis supervisor and second reader. The final decision will rest with the thesis supervisor.
Students not maintaining the expectations as outlined in the Right and Responsibilities document may be asked to withdraw from the Honours Program. Students should refer to the Academic Calendar regarding the University policy on course withdrawal.

Admission to the Honours Degree

Students wishing to obtain an honours degree must make formal application through the department Chair by May 1 of the third year of the program or after the completion of 15.0 units.

Minimum requirements for acceptance into the honours degree are a GPA of 3.0 in 10.0 of the required academic units of the program with a grade of at least C- in each of these units.

Students must fulfill the following requirements for graduation:
❏ fulfilment of all the requirements of the 22.0-unit degree including the completion of CHYS 4499
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C as listed in the Undergraduate Calendar
❏ Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
❏ Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit)
❏ obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 10.0 units of the required CHYS courses
❏ achieve a minimum of B- in CHYS 3311 (formerly 2211)
❏ achieve a minimum of B- in Honours Thesis – CHYS 4499
❏ obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken

Note: First-class honours will be awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in 10.0 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.

Child & Youth Study Awards

Department of Child and Youth Study Lindsey Cousineau Award

Named in honour of Lindsey Kathryn Cousineau, for inspiring dedication to learning and service to others. Awarded on departmental recommendation to an undergraduate student enrolled in the Child and Youth Study program who has achieved significant university and/or community service; demonstrated ongoing dedication to learning; completed 15.0 or more units of academic credit typically with a minimum GPA of 3.0; and successfully completed 2 practicum placements. Students may only receive this award once. YOU MUST APPLY BY THE DEADLINE INDICATED!

The recipient will be honoured at the annual Academic Awards Ceremony.

Application Deadline: February 24

APPLICATION FORMS are circulated via email in January.

Department of Child and Youth Study Award for Academic Excellence

Established by the Department of Child and Youth Study to recognize excellence in academic achievement. Awarded annually to the graduating Child and Youth Study student holding the highest GPA.

Department of Child and Youth Study Practicum Award

Awarded annually to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their first practicum placement in the previous academic year (Sept. – June). The award will be based on a letter of recommendation from the student’s MSVU practicum placement supervisor. This award is not eligible to those who have been granted practicum credit through transfer, challenge, or Prior Learning Assessment processes.

Canadian Progress Club-Halifax CYS Scholarship in Memory of Patricia Morse

Established by the Canadian progress Club-Halifax in memory of Patricia Morse, BA(CYS) 1980, MA(CYS) 2011. Patricia championed the development and implementation of programs for early intervention in NS and was a tireless advocate for families and children in need of early intervention services.

This scholarship is awarded annually to a student pursuing a BA(CYS) who has completed a minimum of 12.0 units of study including .5 units of practicum (transfer credits can be counted towards these requirements) and who has demonstrated a commitment to working with children or youth with disabilities and fostering inclusive practice as demonstrated through their academic study, practicum, volunteer and/or work experience.

Applicants must complete the online application (detailing how they meet the scholarship criteria), and supply a letter of reference from someone who can attest to how the applicant meets the criteria. Students can only receive this award once. Value $1000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bachelor of Arts (Child & Youth Study) program?

A university degree that is nationally and internationally recognized for employment in a variety of programs and services such as early childhood, child and youth work, mental health, recreation, family support, early intervention and inclusive development.

The degree can be completed online through our distance courses. Some courses, however, will need to be substituted for others. Contact the Department for details. All CHYS Distance courses are “live” classes provided through Moodle/Collaborate. Some required courses provided by other programs, such as Psychology and Sociology, are in Downloadable Video format.

Can I complete the entire BA(CYS) degree via ONLINE learning?

All Child and Youth Study courses are available ONLINE.  For students studying outside the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), practica will be arranged in or near their home communities. Travel to the practicum location may be required. Practica experiences are unpaid and can be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays or Wednesdays and Fridays during the Fall and Winter semesters, or as a 4-week block placement during the Summer semesters.  Please visit our Practicum FAQ page for more information.

What Financial Supports are available for students?

Aside from scholarships and bursaries available to Mount students through the university, there are also various government financial supports in place, such as ECE training and continued education funding.

The department also provides three unique Department awards and availability of over 32 MSVU awards and prizes.

Who are Child & Youth Study Graduates

Our Child and Youth Study graduates are individuals who are passionate about supporting the well-being of children and youth!

As professionals in their fields, they consider themselves to be life-long learners, and advocates for children and youth.

Graduates from our program are sought after for employment in licensed early childhood care and education programs, and child and youth residential treatment services because the Nova Scotia government recognizes the Child and Youth Study degree:

-For Level 3 classification for employment in licensed child care facilities, AND

-Levels 3 and 4 classification for employment in its child and youth therapeutic residential treatment centres and secure care facilities.

Why Choose Child & Youth Studies at the Mount?

  • In-depth learning about children and youth in regional and global contexts.
  • Practicum placements – real children, real youth, real programs!
  • On-site early childhood training facility.
  • Curriculum Resource Centre for programming materials
  • Professional development workshops.
  • Small classes with engaged instructors who care about YOU.
  • Faculty with experiential and educational backgrounds that bring course content to life!
  • National and international student body.
  • Employment possibilities as research assistants.
  • Dynamic Child & Youth Study Student Society.
  • Accepts college and university transfer credits.
  • Distance as well as day and evening on-campus course options.
  • Can be completed on a full or part time basis.
  • Can minor in subjects such as psychology, sociology, family studies and gerontology.

What can I study after completing the program?

A few examples of our graduate’s continuing education pursuits:

  • Bachelor of Education (Elementary)
  • Master of Arts, Child and Youth Study
  • Master of Science, Speech and Language Pathology
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Nursing
  • Social Work
  • Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • Business

In addition, our graduates find regional, national and international employment opportunities in hospitals, emergency shelters, treatment facilities, independent schools, early childhood and family centres, recreation facilities, early intervention and special needs programs, addiction and mental health services.

Academic Advising

All Child and Youth Study Students are to seek Academic Advising through the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success located in Seton 304.  Advising can be conducted via phone, email, skype or in person when we are on campus. Students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor at least once per academic year. Please contact the Centre for Academic Advising at 902-457-6657 or via email advising@msvu.ca to book an appointment.

Students are reminded to include their student ID when they correspond with their Advisor and to always use your @MSVU.CA email for all campus correspondence.