Graduate Certificate in Child and Youth Mental Health
This program is available to applicants residing in Canada.
This graduate certificate program is designed for individuals who hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees and are employed as social workers, counsellors, child and youth care workers, education counsellors or nurses, who are interested in providing assessment and intervention to children, youth and families who are dealing with mental health issues. The critical need for such specialists has been identified by British Columbia’s Schools of Social Work, Schools of Child and Youth Care and the Ministry for Children and Family Development in BC, and is consistent with the Child and Youth Mental Health Plan for BC (2004).
In this graduate certificate program, the curriculum takes a multi-modal strengths-based approach to working with children and families with serious mental health concerns. The curriculum also includes Aboriginal and cross-cultural content.
The program is offered on cohort basis, with course offerings in fall, winter and spring sessions to allow for completion of the certificate in eighteen months to two years. Some courses may be offered on a rotating basis and may not be available each session. Students may begin the program any term they wish (fall, winter or spring) once their program application has been approved.
Students who successfully complete the program receive a TRU post-graduate certificate. The certificate may ladder into master’s programs at other universities.
Students are advised to discuss this option with the institution where they are applying.
The graduate certificate program prepares graduates for positions in the Canadian mental health system, the Ministry of Children and Families, schools and hospitals, as well as work with children with special needs in community settings. Please note, the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development require that individuals hired for mental health service positions must have their master's degree.
Admission Requirements
Note: If you wish to take up to three courses without being admitted to the program, proceed to the professional development section below.
- Completion of a recognized bachelor's degree or master's degree. It is recommended that applicants have a degree in child and youth care, nursing, social work, education or psychology. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 Is recommended.
- Volunteer or paid experience working with children or youth who are mentally, physically or behaviourally challenged, and a counselling course are assets.
- Criminal Criminal Record Search - Check PDF for more details
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Some students may pursue Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) instead of a practicum placement. Students who fulfill the Clinical Internship requirement through the PLAR process may be exempt from submitting a Criminal Record Search.
Admission Procedure/Deadlines
- Applicants who plan to complete the program and obtain the credential through TRU-OL must complete and submit the following forms:
- Program Admission/Transfer Credit form
- Official transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to TRU-OL Admissions and received for approval to the registrar four to six weeks prior to course start dates.
- The program fee must be submitted with the Program Admission/Transfer Credit form.
- Upon acceptance into the program, students may register for courses online, by phone, fax or mail.
Residency Requirements
15 credits of TRU coursework (on-campus or distance)
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Graduate Certificate Requirements
Specific Course Requirements (15)
It is recommended that students take one course at a time.
| Course Acronym |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CYMH 5511 |
Context and Theory in Child and Youth Mental Health Practice |
3 |
| CYMH 5521 |
Assessment for Intervention in Child and Youth Mental Health |
3 |
| CYMH 5531 |
Intervention in Child and Youth Mental Health |
4 |
| CYMH 5541 |
Clinical Internship and Capstone |
5 |
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Assessment
To successfully complete CYMH 5511, CYMH 5521 and CYMH 5531, you must achieve a passing grade of 70% (B-) or higher on the overall course.
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Beginning this graduate program in winter 2012, a student who receives a B- (70-74) or lower in two or more courses will be required to withdraw regardless of their grade point average unless the Program Coordinator recommends otherwise.
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Clinical Internship Process
- The program coordinator arranges an appropriate internship with input from the student.
- The internship is based on availability and resources in the community the student selects
- The student may be required to provide a successful criminal record check to the agency providing the internship. It is incumbent on the student to meet this requirement prior to placement.
- A total of 210 hours must be completed for an internship, which can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.
- Some students may need to relocate at their own expense to complete an internship if suitable service agencies are unavailable in their home or a nearby community.
- Acceptance into the certificate program does not guarantee that students are placed into a practicum.
- Students must pass all theory courses with a grade of 70% (B-)or higher on each course.
Notes on Clinical Internship (CYMH 5541)
This course provides the structure and supervision required for a successful internship in child and youth mental health. Field education provides students with an opportunity to enhance and refine their child and youth mental health assessment and intervention skills. Students currently working in a mental health position must ensure that their placement work is specifically with children and youth and that appropriate supervision is available within or can be contracted outside the agency. The capstone aspect of this course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and articulate the skills and knowledge they have gained through the program and to therefore formulate plans for continuing professional education.
Professional Development
Those who do not intend to complete the Child and Youth Mental Health Certificate program may register in the following program courses for professional development or personal interest:
| Course Acronym |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CYMH 5511 |
Context and Theory in Child and Youth Mental Health Practice |
3 |
| CYMH 5521 |
Assessment for Intervention in Child and Youth Mental Health |
3 |
| CYMH 5531 |
Intervention in Child and Youth Mental Health |
4 |
To register for these three courses you require the approval of the program coordinator. The first step in receiving this approval is to fill out the Admissions checklist and Personal History form (PDF) and send a copy of your transcript to TRU (N.B. You need not complete the Program Admission/Transfer credit form).
Courses are web-based and delivered through Blackboard. Normally, students can access Blackboard courses from any computer with Internet access. Refer to information about computer requirements for web-based courses delivered by TRU-OL. Students are expected to complete the readings on a weekly basis and to actively participate in online discussions. Once you are approved to register by the coordinator, you register online. Your registration is approved electronically and then you contact IT Services for your password to access Blackboard.
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CYMH Courses Schedule 2012 - 2013
NOTE: Please check back for the dates of upcoming Fall 2012 and Winter 2013 sessions.
- Course start dates are subject to change without notice.
- Program admission forms and official transcripts must be received for approval to register four weeks prior to course start dates.
| CYMH 5511, Context and Theory in Child and Youth Mental Health Practice |
| Summer Start Date: May 7, 2012 |
Registration Ends: May 3, 2012 |
| CYMH 5521, Assessment for Intervention in Child and Youth Mental Health |
| Summer Start Date: May 7, 2012 |
Registration Ends: May 3, 2012 |
| CYMH 5531, Intervention in Child and Youth Mental Health |
| Summer Start Date: May 7, 2012 |
Registration Ends: May 3, 2012 |
| CYMH 5541, Child and Youth Mental Health Internship and Capstone |
| Start Date: Continuous Enrolment |
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Notes on Registration
- It is recommended that students take courses one at a time in their sequential order. All theory courses must be successfully completed before registering for an Internship.
- CYMH 5511 is a prerequisite for CYMH 5521 and 5531.
- If a particular course is full, approved applicants may put their name on a wait-list. If a space becomes available, approved applicants are contacted prior to the registration deadline.
- To stay in good standing with the program, students must take a minimum of one course every year. Students typically complete the certificate program within two years.
- Complete registration information about courses delivered by TRU-OL, including course completion, course materials, and course packages, is provided on this website.
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Tuition and Fees
Fees are subject to change without notice.
Tuition and fees are payable with each course registration. Refer to information about fees payment on this website.
Note: This program is not eligible for full- or part-time loan or grant funding through the Canada Student Loan suite of programs, which includes funding from StudentAid BC and similar student loan offices in other provinces. Funding may be available through other government or private sources.
Refer to information about Part-time Bursaries and Grants on this website.
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Contact
Email Student Services for more information.
Students are responsible for consulting with the TRU-OL program coordinator to ensure that courses selected are appropriate for the program of study or to meet future educational goals.
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