Developmental Services Worker

Program Overview

It is estimated that about one per cent of Canada’s population has a developmental disability, requiring support from people who are interested in making a difference in the lives of others through advocacy and education. Developmental service workers are fully committed to ensuring that people with developmental disabilities receive the support they need to lead fulfilling lives as active members of their communities.

Mentorship

Working with Others

Helping Others

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2019	Open	Open

Tuition

Year one domestic: $3,025 (CDN)
Year one international: $13,187 (CDN)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Developmental services worker
Inclusion facilitator
Employment support worker
Educational assistant

View all Career Options

Program Details

A developmental service worker (DSW) supports people in all stages of life who have a developmental disability. They focus on helping people experience satisfying and rich quality of lives as active and valued members of their communities. DSWs have core values which focus on social justice, empowerment, dignity, self-worth, human relationships and integrity.

As a student in this program, you will learn how to develop and implement support plans that encourage the development of meaningful and relevant skills, self determination, full community participation and healthy lifestyles. You will also learn how to support families in which a member has a development disability. Finally you will learn the skills necessary to advocate with and for people with developmental disabilities.

Post-admission Communications assessment

To help prepare you for success in your program and in your future career, all students accepted into this program will complete an assessment to determine their reading comprehension and writing skills. For more information, please visit the post-admission communications assessment webpage.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. For more information, please contact recruitment@durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.3126. Please refer to Admission Processes for more details regarding highly competitive programs.

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Costs

YEAR ONE FEES	Domestic	International
Tuition	$3,025	$13,187
Compulsory Ancillary	$1,245	$1,720
Program Incidental	$120	$120
Total Fees:	$4,390	$15,027

Please note: fees are based on the 2018-2019 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please see Other fees to consider.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Developmental services worker
Inclusion facilitator
Employment support worker
Educational assistant

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Community living organizations
Educational settings (elementary, secondary and post-secondary)
Employment support programs
Mental health facilities
Case coordination programs
Self-employment
Adult day support services

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by three field placements. These will provide the opportunity to integrate theory with practice in a community setting, under the supervision of an industry professional.
Students will be required to work some evenings and some weekends during their field placements.

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for the field placement component of this program you must (at your expense) provide:

A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC with VSS, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency. CRCs with VSS must be obtained from your local police station
Current Level C CPR from a recognized provider
Current standard first aid certification from a recognized provider
Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider

Program Transfer, Degree Completion And Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can apply to Durham College’s Communicative Disorders Assistant graduate certificate program.

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

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Need assistance with this form?

T: 905.721.3000

Program related questions?
Contact Recruitment.

Application related questions?
Contact Admissions.

International student?

Contact International Admissions or call 905.721.2000 ext. 2355.

Developmental Services Worker

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes and Availability

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Post-admission Communications assessment

Admission Requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Field Placement

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Program Transfer, Degree Completion And Additional Credentials

Developmental Services Worker in the news

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Helpful Resources

College guide September 2019 [PDF]

College guide September 2019 [Interactive]

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]