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DC is committed to providing students with a high-quality academic experience. All scheduled academic activities and services continue as planned during Ontario’s stay-at-home order, including on-campus learning through classes and labs. For a full list of what is open on campus or operating virtually, please visit our COVID-19  winter semester page.
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  • Developmental Services Worker

Developmental Services Worker

Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Location
Oshawa
School
School of Health & Community Services (HCS)
Length
Four semesters
OCAS Code
DSWK
Next Intake
September 2021   +View all Intakes
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Apply Now
  • Overview
  • Program Details
  • Admission Requirements
  • Courses
  • Costs
  • Career Options
  • Field Placement
  • Transfer

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 services 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.

Admission Requirements

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

View All Requirements

Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,322 (CAD)

View Full Costs

Semester 1 Courses

  • Communication Foundations - Health & Community Services (COMM 1803)
  • Fundamental Communication Skills (COMM 1810)
  • Developmental Disabilities I (DSWD 1500)
  • Health & Well Being (DSWH 1503)
  • Developmental Psychology (DSWP 1502)
  • Introduction To Development Services (DSWS 1501)
  • Field Placement Prep (FDPL 1500)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • General Elective Credit (GNED 1000)

View All Courses

Advocacy
Advocacy
Working with Others
Working with Others
Helping Others
Helping Others

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

View All Recommendations

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2021OpenOpen

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Conduct oneself in an ethical, competent and accountable manner in all professional relationships.
  2. Provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities
  3. Provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice.
  4. Support health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities.
  5. Employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with developmental disabilities.
  6. Provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities.
  7. Develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.

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

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyCampus.

Semester 1

  • Communication Foundations - Health & Community Services (COMM 1803)
  • Fundamental Communication Skills (COMM 1810)
  • Developmental Disabilities I (DSWD 1500)
  • Health & Well Being (DSWH 1503)
  • Developmental Psychology (DSWP 1502)
  • Introduction To Development Services (DSWS 1501)
  • Field Placement Prep (FDPL 1500)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • General Elective Credit (GNED 1000)

Semester 2

  • Academic Writing For Success Strategies (COMM 2715)
  • Behavioural Support I (DSWB 2501)
  • Developmental Disabilities II (DSWD 2500)
  • Person Centered Planning (DSWP 2504)
  • Pharmacology Theory (DSWP 3501)
  • Field Placement I & Seminar (FWK 2503)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Semester 3

  • Behavioural Support II (DSWB 3504)
  • Personal Support Skills (DSWC 3503)
  • Health And Well Being 2 (DSWH 3503)
  • Field Placement II (FWP 3502)

Semester 4

  • Building Community (DSWB 4503)
  • Professional Communication (DSWC 4501)
  • Family & Social Systems (DSWF 2503)
  • Field Placement III (FWP 4502)

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.

Costs

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

Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications.  Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes.  These costs include:

  • Service fees for Verified, our documentation collection and ESPC verification partner.
  • Costs to complete mandatory immunizations, lab tests, and certifications.

It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified 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

Links:

  • Developmental Services Worker ESPC Information Package
  • Verified ESPC User Guide

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:

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Political Science – Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) bridge – Ontario Tech
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Educational Studies and Digital Technology – Ontario Tech
  • Bachelor of Health Services Administration - Davenport University
  • Bachelor of Social Work - Lakehead University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies - Ryerson University
  • Bachelor of Arts - University of Windsor
  • Bachelor of Social Work - University of Windsor
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Disability Studies - University of Windsor

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

Technology Recommendations

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk  or the school office.

Developmental Services Worker in the news

DC receives funding for DSW research project
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