Program Highlights

The Mount is proud to offer the only university-level Child & Youth Study program in Atlantic Canada. Students in our program engage in practical training and theoretical explorations in child and youth work, early childhood education, as well as early intervention and inclusive development. As strong supporters of experiential learning we are pleased to offer our undergraduates four supervised practicum placements which enable our students to apply the knowledge that they have learned in the classroom to hands-on, real-world experience. We also offer a Master of Arts in Child and Youth Study.

The BA(CYS) degree is offered through a variety of delivery modes, with an emphasis on small class sizes, classroom engagement, and environments designed to support students’ learning and success. Courses are supported through Moodle/Collaborate. For more details on the program, contact the Department of Child and Youth Study via our Administrative Assistant, Sandra Schnare Sandra.Schnare@msvu.ca.

Our Department is committed to laying the groundwork for future leaders in the ECE and Child and Youth care fields. Your BA(CYS) degree will also prepare your for further education and professional preparation in Child and Youth Study, Education, Speech Language Pathology, Child Life and Social Work.


Child and Youth Study Faculty Welcome  

The Dept. of Child and Youth Study introduces its newest faculty member: Dr. Brooke Richadson (Assistant Professor, tenure track).

Brooke Richardson (she/her) is a care activist, scholar and mother motivated by the belief that good care is foundational to meaningful lives and a democratic society.  Brooke completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), first in Early Childhood Studies and then shifting to Policy Studies (focus on childcare policy). She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Sociology, Child and Youth Studies, Politics and Early Childhood Studies at TMU, Brock and Carleton University over the past decade.

She is excited to be starting a position as Assistant Professor position in Child and Youth Studies at the Mount. Her research and scholarly work focus on the corporatization of childcare in Canada, the political positioning of childcare in contemporary welfare states, reconceptualizing and reasserting care in early childhood education, feminist possibilities for early childhood educators and reimagining child welfare systems through a feminist ethics of care lens. She has published and presented nationally and internationally on topics related to caring for children.  To learn more about Brooke and her research please visit her faculty profile page.

Welcome Brooke!


Statement by the MSVU Department of Child and Youth Study on the recent anti-2SLGBTQIA+ protests 

We, the faculty and staff of the Department of Child and Youth Study at Mount Saint Vincent University, stand with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We strongly denounce the prejudice that is being promoted, through calls to end school discussions on sexual and gender diversity. We are particularly troubled by the use of children as a medium for hate. As professionals who work with children and youth, we are committed to creating safer spaces to help all children and youth become their authentic selves. To the students in Child and Youth Study, please know we care about you and will loudly celebrate and protect our collective rights to love freely and to be our true selves.