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  • Developmental Services Worker

Developmental Services Worker

Ministry-approved title: Developmental Services Worker


Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Location
Oshawa
OCAS Code
DSWK
Next Intake
September 2025
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Social and Community Services (SCS)
Length
Four semesters
Laptop
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Delivery
In person Learn more.
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Program Overview

Developmental services workers (DSWs) support people in all stages of life who have a developmental disability. DSWs focus on helping children and adults experience satisfying and rich quality 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 to develop and implement support plans that encourage the development of meaningful and relevant skills, self-determination, full community participation and healthy lifestyles.
  • Learn to work with students with autism and disabilities in a classroom setting.
  • Gain the skills to provide family support and build natural connections for people with developmental disabilities. Additionally, you will develop advocacy skills for people with developmental disabilities.

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability PGWP eligible program. Learn more
September 2025OpenOpenApply now
ProgramHighlights
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
Durham College 2025 Program Guide
Lead the way
2025 Program Guide
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Other Resources
  • Attend a DC Information Webinar
  • Financial Aid Information

Admission Requirements

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

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

  • Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
  • Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.


Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
  • Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

View full costs


Semester 1 Courses

  • Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
  • 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


Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Developmental services worker
  • Inclusion facilitator
  • Employment support worker
  • Educational assistant

View all career options

Connect with us

I AM A CANADIAN APPLICANT

Contact recruitment
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905.721.3126

Fill out the form to get more information on your program of interest, upcoming events, and how to become a Durham College student. By submitting your information below, you consent to Durham College contacting you via email and/or SMS with a minimum of 4 messages per month. You may withdraw consent at any time.

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I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED

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905.721.3000

I AM AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT

Contact
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905.721.2000 ext. 7697

I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED

Please contact the international office.

Program Details

The Developmental Services Worker (DSW) two-year diploma prepares students to support individuals with developmental disabilities and autism across all life stages.

Emphasizing values of human relationships, social justice, empowerment, dignity, and integrity, this program equips students with the skills to enhance the quality of life for those they support.

Students will learn to create and implement personalized support plans that foster skill development, self-determination, community inclusion, and healthy lifestyles.

The curriculum includes training in working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in residential, educational, and recreational settings, as well as providing support to families. Additionally, students will develop strong advocacy skills to champion the rights and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Graduates of this program will be ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities, and are typically employed by local agencies, school boards, recreational facilities, and long-term care environments, ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities lead fulfilling and valued lives.

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
    AND
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

  • Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
  • Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

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 MyDC.

Semester 1

  • Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
  • 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)
  • Indigenous Elective (INDG 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, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

Course delivery

In person

Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

In person:
Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Hybrid:
Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Online:
Fully remote course delivery.

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 Boards of Education)
  • Autism support agencies for children and adults
  • Employment support programs
  • Mental health facilities
  • Recreation facilities
  • Case coordination programs
  • Self-employment
  • Adult day support services
  • Early intervention programs
  • Alternate care settings
  • Home-based support services
  • Nursing homes

Experiential Learning

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 may 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: 

  • Behavioural Science – Honours Bachelor (Developmental Services Worker pathway to degree – HBBD) - Durham College
  • Communicative Disorders Assistant graduate certificate program
  • Autism and Behavioural Sciences graduate certificate program
  • Behavioural Science (Honours) Bachelor degree 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 with a major in Legal Studies– 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 (Honours) Policing and Community Well-Being - Trent 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.

Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.

Tech Requirements

To help students have the best 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.

Meet Your Faculty Experts

  • Kay Corbier

    Faculty Member, Faculty of Social and Community Services (SCS)

    Kay Corbier, Program Coordinator and Faculty Member since 2012, has 35+ years of experience with disabilities. She serves on a local Community Living board and leads the research project "Raising Resilient Families." Kay emphasizes hands-on learning, offering students real-life experiences and simulations.

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Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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