Developmental Services Worker
| Study location | Canada, Ontario, Toronto |
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| Type | Diploma, College |
| Nominal duration | 2 years, includes 1 field placement |
| Study language | English |
| Course code | 01101 |
| Tuition fee | CA$17,589 per year The fees are for the 2024–2025 academic year and include tuition, health insurance and ancillary charges. The fees displayed are estimates only for two semesters and are subject to change. |
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| Registration fee | CA$375 one-time The registration fee includes the non-refundable application fee (CA$75) and the refundable deposit fee (CA$300). Please REVIEW the EdviseCanada`s fee policy. |
| Entry qualification | High School / Secondary Education (or higher) To be eligible for admission, you must possess a high school diploma including these required courses (or equivalents):
The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. |
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| Language requirements | English For direct admission, if English is not your first language, OR you did not complete a minimum of two years of full-time study at the secondary school level in an English language school system in a country where English is considered the primary language or the primary language of instruction and evaluation is English, with acceptable grades in all English courses, you must provide one of the English language proficiency tests below:
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| More information |
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Overview
Humber’s Developmental Services Worker (DSW) diploma program teaches you skills to effectively promote the physical, mental and emotional health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Our faculty team consists of developmental services experts who are active in the field, and our small class sizes allow for individualized attention. Our curriculum is designed with input from developmental services field experts, ensuring courses are current and relevant.
Your studies begin by learning the stages of human development, the types of developmental disabilities and the range of available community support services for this population. Next, you’ll learn intervention techniques, person-centered planning, abnormal psychology/dual diagnosis, basic pharmacology, supporting people with autism and other complex needs, augmentative forms of communication, and effective responses to people who have been abused. Finally, you’ll develop skills in building interpersonal relationships and counselling.
You’ll also build your expertise in our counselling labs which provide an ideal setting to develop abilities in working with individuals with limited verbal skills.
Work Placement
This program offers a rich diversity of innovative and traditional work-integrated learning opportunities. You will complete 568 hours of experiential education with three separate community partners over the duration of the program.
After consulting with you regarding your interests and preferences, your field placement coordinator will refer you to specific agencies for these unpaid work experiences.
Field placements run for 14 weeks in Semester 2 of the first year. Students are required to complete 168 hours in this time. Placements are two days per week. Internships take place during fourth semester of second year. Students are required to complete 400 hours with two different employers, four days per week for 14 weeks.
Career opportunities
Your career will allow you to help people with disabilities live, work and participate in their communities. You will use your skills to support people with intellectual disabilities, autism, physical challenges or other needs.
You can find work assisting people in a variety of roles including:
- community support worker
- educational/teaching assistant in a school
- classroom assistant in a daycare centre
- seniors’ case worker
- residential case worker
- family worker
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD)
Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD) and its Developmental Services Special Interest Group (DSSIG).
Additional requirements and/or costs may apply.
Note: The requirements for licensure are determined by the granting body, which is independent from Humber College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.