Child, Youth, and Family Studies
After completing the certificate program you can continue your education and take advanced courses in more specialized areas. The diploma courses are offered in the evening (except practicum) giving students the option of working in the daytime. Two program options are available for diploma students. The two programs share a common set of core courses and each requires a different set of specialty courses. Completion of the core courses (3), and one set of specialty courses (3) leads to registration as a special needs or infancy (under-three) supervisor. Check the timetable or contact the program coordinator for information about the current offerings. Accepted students may begin in September each year.
Completion of ECE certificate and a provincial licence to practice (UFV ECE graduates exempt).
Applicants must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.
Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.
Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall and Summer semesters only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.
1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply.
2. After your application is received you will be contacted regarding any orientations or interviews which may be required.
Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.
Core diploma requirements
Course | Title | Credits |
ECE 213 | Atypical Development | 3 |
ECE 223 | Administration of Childhood Centres | 3 |
ECE 224 | Working with Families | 3 |
Special Needs specialty
Course | Title | Credits |
ECE 242 | Practicum: Special Needs | 6 |
ECE 260 | Foundations of Working with Exceptional Children | 3 |
ECE 281 | Programming for Exceptional Children | 3 |
Infancy specialty
Course | Title | Credits |
ECE 243 | Practicum: Infancy | 6 |
ECE 269 | Foundations of Infant Caregiving | 3 |
ECE 282 | Programming for Infants | 3 |
Minimum number of credits needed to graduate for the diploma is 60. The 60 credits may be made up of certificate and diploma credits and approved electives as needed.
Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Undergraduate Continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).
These programs use the framework for Extended Studies in a Program to allow students who have completed the diploma in Early Childhood Education to be recognized for additional work to meet the Special Needs or Infancy specialties.
The credentials to be awarded are type B certificates:
Certificate in Extended Studies in Early Childhood Education: Special Needs Specialty
Certificate in Extended Studies in Early Childhood Education: Infancy Specialty
To be admitted students must have completed a certificate in Early Childhood Education from UFV or equivalent.
The department may interview applicants to assess their particular needs. Admission will be granted on the basis of the Child, Youth, and Family Studies department's ability to meet the student's needs. The number of applicants accepted to the program may be restricted.
Students must complete the specialties as outlined in the UFV calendar.
In order to be awarded the diploma students must have a GPA of at least 2.0 on the required courses. At least 25% of the credits must be completed at UFV.
For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.