The Developmental Services Worker program focuses on providing practical and meaningful services and support with individuals of all ages who have intellectual, physical and learning disabilities with a focus on human rights social justice, community inclusion and health.
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
CIP Code
19.0710
Program Code
DSW
Delivery
Hybrid, In Person
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
$2499.6 per semester*
International Tuition
$8826.1 per semester*
*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.
*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.
View Curriculum
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Closed
CIP Code
19.0710
Program Code
DSW
Delivery
Hybrid, In Person
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
$2499.6 per semester*
International Tuition
$8826.1 per semester*
*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.
*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.
Apply Now
Canadian StudentsView Curriculum
Gradates of the Developmental Services Worker program have the specialized knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes to support the rights and empowerment of people with disabilities and their family. They demonstrate leadership in promoting social inclusion and helping people live their best lives. Graduates provide support and services to children, youth, and adults with various intellectual disabilities, such as autism, neurocognitive disorders, down syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, acquired brain injury, physical disabilities or learning disabilities.
These four semesters (two years) give students the knowledge and skills required for professionals who make a difference every day in the lives of children, youth and adults who have disabilities, and their support network, at home and in their communities. This includes specific skills to support people with disabilities in schools, recreation, mental health and addictions, the justice system, employment support and other places in our communities. Students also have the option to focus more on First nations, Inuit and Metis peoples through the Indigenous Perspectives Designation. Curriculum and field placements align with provincial and industry standards for the developmental services sector and is:
Are you working in an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities and have related education (Personal Support Worker, Educational Support, Social Service Worker, etc.)? Contact us for more information about how your education and experience may reduce the time it takes to complete the Developmental Services Worker diploma. You can also use our “Fast Pass” to see if you qualify for course credits through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.
An essential component of your education will include experiential learning through course work as well as field placements. Three supervised field placements provide students with varied practical and networking experience where many students receive job offers. Students also have the option of international placements in their fourth semester; however, this should be discussed with the program coordinator as early as possible (and prior to the end of semester 2) in order to assist in facilitating it.
Career Opportunities providing supports and services to those with intellectual or physical disabilities is highly rewarding work. There is a shortage of skilled and qualified workers to meet the demand in the developmental services and disability sectors, as well as related employment.
For greater employability options, a Class G Drivers license prior to graduation is highly recommended. Graduates will have the required expertise to work with people of all ages in a variety of diverse settings in Ontario, across Canada or abroad, including:
Program graduates can be employed in a variety of locations, including:
Prospective students with special needs or limitations that may affect their field placement or potential employment opportunities are encouraged to discuss their program and career goals with a program coordinator prior to admissions.
Your program has mandatory immunization requirements that include a "pre-entry" deadline date for submission. For more information, and to print a copy of the immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.
Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.
Students applying to Developmental Services Worker must meet the following requirements:
Internet Connection: 2.5 Mbps Download and 3.0 Mbps Upload (minimum)
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized here.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Durham College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Griffith University's admissions website.
Visit the Griffith University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Griffith University's admissions website.
Visit the Griffith University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Humber College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Humber College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Laurentian University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Laurentian University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Nipissing University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Nipissing University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Seneca College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Toronto Metropolitan University website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the University of Guelph-Humber website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
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