Why Interdisciplinary Studies @ Carleton
Learn Across Borders, Disciplines and Communities
Big Questions Don’t Stay in One Discipline. Neither Do You.
Who gets to have rights? What does a good childhood look like, and who decides? Whose knowledge counts? Questions like these don’t fit inside one textbook, so our students don’t either.
In the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, you draw on law, history, sociology, politics and lived experience to understand how the world works and how to change it. You learn in small classes, test your ideas in real workplaces through our practicum program, and graduate ready for careers in education, policy, human services, advocacy and beyond.
Learn It in Class. Live It in Practice.
Our Childhood and Youth Studies practicum places you in a real workplace connected to your program. You’re guided by an academic instructor and a workplace supervisor, so you build professional skills, solve real problems and find out what kind of work fits you before you graduate.
Students have completed placements with organizations such as:
- CHEO (Recreational Therapy)
- Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
- Ottawa Catholic School Board
- Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa
- Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children
- Centretown Community Health Centre
- Veterans Affairs Canada
Students Making A Difference in the Childhood and Youth Studies Program
Read about students Faten al-Athari and Calla Tait and the valuable experience they gained during their practicum at Maison Sophia Reception House.
Where Our Graduates Go
We tracked 459 graduates from two of our programs (CHST and HRSJ) over nearly two decades. They work in classrooms, courtrooms, community health centres, federal departments and businesses they started themselves.
- 10+ sectors where our graduates build careers
- 1 in 2 Childhood and Youth Studies grads work in education, many with the Ottawa-Carleton District and Ottawa Catholic school boards
- 1 in 5 Human Rights grads work for government or public agencies, from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to the Canadian Human Rights Commission
Sample job titles: Teacher · Registered Early Childhood Educator · Clinical Social Worker · Policy Analyst · Lawyer · Program Manager · Communications Officer · Recreation Therapist · Executive Director · UX Designer
Hear It From Our Students
“I really enjoyed my time here at Carleton and I loved being a part of the Child and Youth Studies Program. Julia Sinclair-Palm is an amazing professor and I loved having them teach me so much throughout the years.”
– Sarah Bennett
The Ottawa Advantage
Canada’s capital region is where you’ll find opportunity. Get ready to start your career with the world’s leading organizations, launch your big ideas in a thriving innovation ecosystem, and enjoy life where natural beauty and big-city excitement meet a safe, affordable and welcoming community. Discover what Ottawa has to offer.