TO: CLS Academic Programming Committee & UCC
FROM: Betsy Morgan, Chair, PSYCH
RE: PROPOSAL to transition the Child & Youth Care Emphasis to a
minor entitled At-Risk Child and Youth Care Minor
DATE: 1/24/2011
Psychology is the home department for the interdisciplinary emphasis – Child and Youth Care (CYC). CYC
is comprised of courses from five departments and students from majors across campus complete the
program. The vast majority of students use CYC as a minor by ensuring that 18 of the credits are outside
their major. A few students overlap the emphasis over a major and minor (e.g., psychology and
sociology) and then do not need to be concerned where and how the courses count in terms of “double
dipping”).
As of Spring 2011, there were 82 students who have declared the emphasis (78 female and 4 male).
The breakdown by major is shown below. Psychology students comprise the majority of the students.
CLS Students (n = 72)
Psychology = 62
Sociology = 7
Other (Spanish, WGS = 3)
SAH Students (n = 10)
Therapeutic Recreation = 7
Community Health Education = 3
REORGANIZATION OF THE COURSES
If one compares the new minor to the old emphasis it is mostly a reorganization of courses into fewer
categories and some tightening of the categories. There are no new courses – just a relocation of a new
CYC class approved last year (CYC310) and the reorganization of the categories. In terms of credits, the
emphasis was 25 credits. The proposal minor is 30 credits (although psych majors and TR majors may
double dip a large number of credits due to the number of courses required in the minor that are
already required in their majors), most students will be able to complete the minor with ~22 credits
beyond their major.
NAME CHANGE
Child & Youth Care is the national recognized label for this field of study. However, the name often
causes some confusion for individuals. Often, it is mistaken as preparation for child-care rather than
attention to children who may be at-risk. Consequently, the new name for the minor helps in the
understanding of the program’s purpose while still recognizing of the national status of the field. We
see no reason to change the prefix of the courses.
RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
Some students (especially in TR) pursue this certification after graduation. We do not believe that there
should be catalog language about this certification but the following information is available at the CYC
website at http://www.uwlax.edu/psychology/cyc/links.htm. There is no difference between an
emphasis and a minor in terms of potential certification.
Information on post-BS/BA certification as a Child Life Specialist
Students who complete the CYC Minor and are interested in pursuing certification as a Child Life
Specialist (CCLS) after graduation should consult the national child life website
http://www.childlife.org/Certification/. The credential requires an undergraduate degree,
specific coursework, clinical hours, and the successful completion of a national exam. Several
courses within the CYC curricula have traditionally been accepted toward the requirements (e.g.,
RTH 400, RTH 401, PSY 355, PSY 356, and PSY 357). Interested students should contact Dr. Susan
"Boon" Murray in Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, 608-785-8199,
murray.sus2@uwlax.edu.
APPROVALS
CYC is coordinated by Lisa Caya within the psychology department and a steering committee comprised
of individuals from CLS, CST, Sociology, SAH, and SOE [Dickmeyer, L. (CST); Herling (SAH); Keller (CLS);
Wycoff-Horn (Health Education), Zollweg (Sociology)]. The steering committee has approved of the
changes. All are in agreement that this change best serves students.