Program Overview

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Developmental Services Worker

As a developmental services worker (DSW), you will assist people with disabilities to live as valued, contributing members of the community. By providing support and advocacy, you will work towards full inclusion for the betterment of the entire community.

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Duration

Four semesters

Start Date(s)

September (Fall)

Locations

Belleville

Open to

• International Students
• Domestic Students

CIP Code

19.0710

On this page:

• Find your career
• How you'll learn
• Courses
• Admission requirements
• Costs
• Further study
• What employers say

Find your career

Developmental services workers support people of all ages with disabilities, enhancing their presence and participation in community life. Loyalist grads find rewarding positions:

• Providing in-home support to help people maintain independence.
• In community non-profit agencies, providing residential and day support.
• In schools as educational assistants.
• Providing respite support for families.

Our grads get great jobs

• Educational Assistant, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
• Community Support Worker, Community Living
• Residential Counsellor, Pathways to Independence
• Integration Facilitator, Loyalist College
• Family support/relief

Is it for you?

People who do well in this program come from all ages and many different backgrounds. What they have in common are:

• A desire to work with people in a caring and compassionate profession.
• An interest in social justice.
• In many cases, a personal connection to someone with a disability – often a friend, family member, colleague or classmate.
• An open mind about what people can contribute and achieve.

How you'll learn

Experiential learning

Learn to effectively support people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, and people with a dual diagnosis:

• The program curriculum promotes individualized and inclusive approaches, reflective of innovative practices in the field.
• Develop hands-on skills that will help people grow, develop relationships, and actively participate in their community.
• Identify and connect people to community opportunities and resources.
• Collaborate with people with disabilities to overcome barriers and promote full inclusion.

Apply theory in a real-world setting with three faculty-supervised field placements:

• Begin with 10 weeks in the second semester and increase to twelve weeks in both the third and fourth semester.
• Provide support to children and/or adults in a placement setting two to three days per week and bring those experiences back to the classroom to enhance your learning.
• Students have completed placements in residential programs such as Community Living Belleville and Area and Pathways to Independence; elementary and high schools; adult education programs; and other non-profit community organizations.

Outstanding faculty make the difference

• Teachers are passionate about their work and are personally invested in improving the lives of people with disabilities.
• Faculty are student focused.
• Professors have extensive experience in residential and day supports and family support, building on educational backgrounds in disability studies, psychology, education, community development and other areas.
• Faculty maintain strong connections to the sector through involvement in advocacy organizations, non-profit leadership, and consulting in the field.

Courses

Semester One

• COMM1048 College Writing Skills
• DSWP1025 Nature of Disabilities 1
• DSWP1019 Philosophy of Support
• PROF1032 Professional Practice
• DSWP1014 The Evolution of Developmental Services
• DSWP1018 Valued Social Roles
• GNED1100 Becoming a Global Changemaker

Semester Two

• DSWP1021 DSW Standards of Practice
• WKPL1026 Field Placement 1
• DSWP1026 Nature of Disabilities 2
• DSWP1022 Person Centred Planning
• DSWP1020 Positive Behaviour Supports
• DSWP1023 Teaching Strategies
• GNED General Education Elective

Semester Three

• DSWP2016 Disability & Ethical Issues
• WKPL2047 Field Placement 2
• DSWP2020 Inclusive Practice
• DSWP2015 Medication Administration
• DSWP2014 Promoting Health & Wellbeing
• GNED General Education Elective

Semester Four

• WKPL2018 Field Placement 3
• DSWP2019 Leadership & Change
• DSWP2018 Supporting Families

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation

• OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, AND
• Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent

OR

• Mature applicant

Additional requirements for placement (not required before admission)

• Standard First Aid and Level “C” CPR certification.
• Criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening. If you have been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code for which you have not been pardoned, you may be ineligible for field placement; please contact the program coordinator to discuss your options.
• All DSW field placements extend throughout the semester, for six hours per day, two to three days per week. Students entering the program must be able to arrange their schedules to accommodate placement days. Up-to-date immunizations are required prior to placement.

Costs

Domestic students

Approximate costs (2025 – 26, two semesters at full-time student status)

• Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08
• Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26
• Total: $4,317.34

Additional student-purchased costs may include textbooks, supplies, software, and other resources. Additional expenses related to off-campus experiential learning activities may also be incurred.

International students

Approximate costs (2025 – 26, two semesters at full-time student status)

• International Tuition: $15,900
• Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26
• Mandatory Health Insurance: $659
• Total: $17,254.26

Additional student-purchased costs may include textbooks, supplies, software, and other resources. Additional expenses related to off-campus experiential learning activities may also be incurred.

Further study

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a second diploma or a post-graduate program in as little as a year, or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

What employers say

“As a leader in the sector, Kerry’s Place is committed to enhancing the quality of life for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The graduates from the Loyalist DSW program make a wonderful addition to our team as they have the skillset to help us deliver high quality, evidence-based, innovative and person-directed supports.”

**Stafford Murphy
Regional Executive Director, Kerry’s Place Autism Services **

“Belleville and Area has hired and will continue to hire DSW graduates, as their values, ethics, and professionalism aligns with CLBA’s vision and mandate. CLBA values the positive approaches with emphasis on person directed supports. People receive supports to be valued members of their communities. CLBA values the relationship which has been established with Loyalist College promoting placement and employment opportunities.”

Darlene DaleExecutive Director, Community Living Belleville and Area **

“Inclusion Northumberland (formerly Community Living Campbellford/Brighton) has a long-standing commitment to supporting and hiring graduates from Loyalist’s Developmental Services Worker (DSW) program. Their emphasis on combining education, experience, and practical application strategies develops well-rounded graduates who can effectively apply their knowledge in real-life settings. Their dedication to staying current with trends in the field demonstrates commitment to ongoing learning and improvement, and their inclusive and person-centred philosophy aligns perfectly with our organizational values.”

Leslie SteevesDirector of Human Resources, Inclusion Northumberland (Loyalist DSW graduate) **

Related programs

• Developmental Services Worker Apprenticeship
• Developmental Services Worker (Online)
• Social Service Worker