Undergraduate
Child and Youth Studies
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- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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- Durham GTA
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Humanities & Social Sciences (Arts)
- Teaching & Education
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Durham GTA
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes ROV - Durham GTA
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Study the development of children and youth, including how they grow, learn and navigate their communities, through interdisciplinary perspectives and applied learning experiences. Through this program, you can earn direct entry into Trent’s Bachelor of Education.
At Trent Durham GTA, you'll explore child and adolescent development through sociological, psychological, Indigenous, and educational perspectives while building the practical skills needed to support young people in schools, community organizations, and other professional settings.
- Direct entry into Trent's Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) program, with guaranteed spaces reserved for qualified Child & Youth Studies graduates.
- Community-based placements, undergraduate research opportunities, and interactive workshops that connect theory to practice.
- Study child and youth development through sociological, psychological, Indigenous, and educational perspectives.
- Explore topics including child and youth rights, identity, play, learning, social justice, and diverse communities.
- Prepare for careers in education, youth advocacy, social services, community development, and other child- and youth-focused fields.
Program Possibilites
Add an Option to your Child and Youth Studies degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Education
Learn to teach a wide variety of curricula and subjects – an important skill for all elementary and intermediate school teachers. If you’re planning on pursuing your B.Ed., this option provides you with a range of education-relevant courses in math, sciences, the arts, and more.
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Visual Arts
Have a budding interest in drawing, photography, film or graphic arts? Express yourself with this option and study the visual arts through both theory and practice. In addition to workshop classes in drawing, photography, film, and other visual media, you can take courses in theoretical, historical, and contemporary issues in the visual arts from a range of departments. This option is particularly appropriate for future primary and secondary school teachers.
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Creative Writing
The ability to think creatively, write effectively, and craft interesting stories are extremely valuable skills for any degree major to possess. Through workshops and writing assignments, this fun and practical option helps you develop new writing techniques, create invaluable writing communities, and build a growing portfolio of work in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and script writing.
Career experience while you learn
Every Child and Youth Studies student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Research Opportunities
- Design and lead your own independent research thesis, working one-on-one with award-winning faculty in areas such as child rights, young caregivers, mental health, health policy, cognitive neuroscience, giving you an edge for grad school or your career
- Participate in Child & Youth Studies Research Day, presenting your work alongside other student projects. Past topics have explored youth justice, Dungeons & Dragons and social skills, and the school-to-prison pipeline.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Connect theory with hands-on learning in the community, applying your studies while gaining experience supporting children and youth.
- Immerse yourself in practical courses exploring topics such as play, child and youth rights, arts-based learning, Indigenous Knowledge, youth justice, and the experiences of immigrant and refugee children and youth.
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s 50+ international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
- Child and Youth Studies students have studied at Plymouth University in England, Queen Margaret University in Scotland, and Colorado State University through the Semester at Sea program.
Placements
- Earn academic credit and gain experience working with young people through a community-based work placement, helping local foster homes, shelters, cultural centres, group homes, or youth centres
Internships
- Gain professional experience through a paid internship with organizations such as the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies and Children’s Mental Health Ontario.
- Explore career paths and build connections in settings including children's aid societies, children's mental health organizations, community agencies, family-service organizations, and government programs.
Career Paths
- Teacher
- Child Protection Worker
- Autism Specialist
- Youth Outreach Worker
- Counsellor
In Their Own Words
The small community and the way the students and staff work as one makes my university experience at Trent Durham so enjoyable. It feels safe and welcoming.
Rose Honarbakhsh
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 70-75% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students
Vanhaverbeke Family Prize in Child & Youth Studies