Humber’s Developmental Services Worker (DSW) 2-year diploma program teaches you skills to become a highly skilled professional who will effectively promote the physical, mental and emotional health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across their lifespan.

Our faculty team consists of developmental services professionals 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 with an introduction to the developmental services sector and an overview of the types of developmental disabilities and the range of available community support services for this population. Next, you will learn about positive behaviour supports and intervention techniques (practising strategies with the use of simulation), person-centered planning, dual diagnosis, health and wellness, basic pharmacology, supporting people with autism and other complex needs, sign language and augmentative forms of communication, and effective responses to people who have experienced abuse. Finally, you will develop skills in building interpersonal relationships and problem-solving.

You will also build your expertise in our counselling labs which provide an ideal setting to develop competencies for working with individuals with limited verbal skills and through hands-on practice of health-care skills and medication administration. This program includes 600 hours of field experience.

The Developmental Services Worker program is also offered part time.

Courses

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the following 3 requirements:

• .

  Academic

  To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
    • Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U or equivalent)
    • Three Grade 11 or Grade 12 C, M or U courses in addition to those listed above

  or

  • Mature student status

  or

  • College or university transfer status

  Mature Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

  College Transfer Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  University Transfer Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

• .

  English Language Proficiency

  All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

• .

  International Credit Evaluation

  Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

How to Apply

Applications are made through ontariocolleges.ca. See program page for details.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please see admission requirements on the program page to enter your location.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

Placement Requirements

The following will be required when applying to prospective placements during the program:

• Medical Certificate of Health
• Valid Standard First Aid with CPR-C and Automated External Defibrillator (AED)(C)
• Employers who provide field placement opportunities require students to undergo a vulnerable sector check. It is important for potential students to understand that the requirements noted above are beyond the control of Humber and may prevent students from completing the full program, including the field placement component, and/or securing employment. Applicants are advised to check the requirements for specific positions in which they are interested before enrolling in this program.

Note: A vulnerable sector check will be requested during your program of study. In respect to the 90-day limit on the validity of vulnerable sector checks and the type of checks required by various agencies, please do not attain a vulnerable sector check prior to being accepted to the program. Faculty will support students upon arrival to the program to ensure they apply for the correct type of police documentation at the appropriate time.

Fees

Pathways

Humber offers a number of transfer options and pathway opportunities. Visit humber.ca/transferoptions or refer to the program page.

Contact Information

Andrea Rutherford, program co-ordinator
Faculty of Social & Community Services
416.675.6622
andrea.rutherford@humber.ca

Admissions Questions

Domestic Students

416-675-5000
enquiry@humber.ca

International Students

Contact the International Centre

international.humber.ca/contact

1-416-675-5067

Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

Select information only is included in this printable PDF. For complete program details, refer to humber.ca/programs.