Personal Support Worker
Ontario College Certificate
Program Code: 07741
Campus: North, Lakeshore, Humber Heights
Length: 2 semesters
Step into a fulfilling, in-demand profession with Humber’s Personal Support Worker (PSW) certificate program. Gain the hands-on skills, confidence and compassion needed to support individuals in long-term care, hospitals, home care and community health settings.
Now more accessible than ever, the program is offered at three locations – North Campus, Lakeshore Campus and the new Humber Heights Living Classroom. Whether you’re starting your health-care journey or expanding your existing skills, Humber provides the flexibility to learn where it works best for you.
Through practical, experience-based learning and expert instruction, you’ll develop the knowledge to safely assist with personal care, mobility and household management for individuals across the lifespan. You’ll also learn to recognize and respond to the physical and emotional changes associated with aging and illness, helping clients maximize their independence
Train in Humber’s state-of-the-art facilities, learn from dedicated faculty and gain valuable work-integrated learning experiences that give you a competitive edge in today’s health-care field.
Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional Education (IPE) courses are a key part of your program, offering valuable opportunities to learn with, from, and about students across the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences. These experiences help you develop the collaborative competencies needed to work effectively in any team. Learn More about IPE and the course(s) you will be taking.
Start - Completion Timeline
January - students beginning their studies in January complete the program in two consecutive academic semesters. (January through to end of August)
May - students beginning their studies in May complete the program in two consecutive academic semesters. (May through to end of December)
September - students beginning their studies in September, complete the program in two consecutive academic semesters. (September through to end of April)
North and Lakeshore Campuses
Throughout the program, students will participate in 300 hours of field experience. In Semester 1, students learn and practise important personal support worker skills in Humber’s simulation learning labs. In Semester 2, students complete two unpaid field experiences in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) allowing you to gain valuable hands on practical and professional skills.
The Semester 2 field experience is divided into two rotations over 13 weeks: 160 hours in a long-term care facility and 120 hours in a community agency. Hours and number of days per week vary depending on the type of facility and shifts assigned; most range from seven to eight hours per day or evening. The long-term care experience is fully supervised in the long-term care facility. During the community experience, students have field advisors who visit on a regular basis to support student learning.
Humber Heights
Throughout the program, students will participate in 300 hours of field experience. In Semester 1, students learn and practise important personal support worker skills in Humber’s Living Classroom simulation learning labs at The Village of Humber Heights. In Semester 2, students complete two unpaid field experiences, allowing students to gain valuable hands on practical and professional skills.
The Semester 2 field experience is divided into two rotations over 13 weeks: 160 hours in Humber Heights Memory Care and long-term care area and 120 hours in Humber Heights Retirement and Assisted Care areas. Hours and number of days per week vary depending on the type of facility and shifts assigned with most ranging from seven to eight hours per day or evening. The long-term care experience is fully supervised by Humber clinical teachers. During the community experience, students have field advisors who visit on a regular basis to support student learning.
Visit Future Students > Work-Integrated Learning > to learn more about your WIL power and other success stories.
Also take time to explore the digital Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness Student Handbook to learn foundational WIL concepts, plus requirements specific to this program.
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
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.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
- .
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 pre-requisite requirements must be fulfilled before the commencement of your first placement. Participation in placements will not be allowed if not all the pre-requisite requirements are met. Due to the variety of venues and possible changes in legislation, the requirements are subject to change. Please use the following link to find detailed information about your program’s placement pre-requisite requirements.
Fees
The 2025/2026 fee for two semesters was:
- domestic: $4,942.55
- international: $19,340.17
Fees are subject to change.
Domestic Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,351.41 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $801.82 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,833.20 |
| Semester 2 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,351.41 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $77.97 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,109.35 |
International Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $8,550.22 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $801.82 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $10,032.01 |
| Semester 2 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $8,550.22 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $474.72 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $88.60 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $116.65 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $0.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $77.97 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $9,308.16 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
Equipment & Device Requirements
Semester 1
| Details and Specifications | Minimum Specifications | Recommended Specifications |
| Processor | Intel i5-8300H (PC) 4-core or higher 64bit (Mac) |
Intel i5-8300H (PC) 4-core or higher 64bit (Mac) |
| OS | Windows 10 (PC) OS 10.15 (Mac) |
Windows 10 (PC) OS 10.15 (Mac) |
| Memory | 8GB of RAM | 8GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| Monitor | Laptop | Laptop |
| Other | Built-in microphone and webcam, Software: Adobe creative and Microsoft office Suite | Built-in microphone and webcam, Software: Adobe creative and Microsoft office Suite |
Additional Costs
Approximately $500 - Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR – HCP; Vulnerable Sector Screen; ; required immunizations; transportation and parking (varies based on location of placement and semester)
Pathways
Humber offers a number of transfer options and pathway opportunities. Visit humber.ca/transferoptions or refer to the program page.
Contact Information
Sarah Connelly, program co-ordinator
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
ext. 437.565
sarah.connelly@humber.ca
Admissions Questions
Domestic Students
416-675-5000
Please fill out the Humber Contact Form
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.
Print/Download Date: December 3, 2025