Developmental Services Worker (Online)
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code1227
- Credential TypeOntario College Diploma
- SchoolSchool of Community Care and Public Safety
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- Delivery ModeOnline Asynchronous
- LocationOnline
- Emailcommunitystudiesashtonbee@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000
- PGWP AlignedNo
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Delivery Mode
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Advising Services
- Indigenous Studies
- The Social Role Valorization Implementation Project
Note: You may also be interested in the in-person option.
Unlock your potential with Centennial College’s highly esteemed Developmental Services Worker program!
Centennial College's Developmental Services Worker program is highly regarded by established professionals, graduates, families, service agencies and people who have intellectual disabilities.
Whether you opt for online learning or attend classes in person, your professors will support you throughout your academic journey, and you'll have ample chances to engage with peers hailing from various regions of Ontario and beyond.
For this online program modality, all classes are online, with the exception of Field Placements, which require in-person attendance. Students will require a device to access classes. It should be equipped with a camera and microphone. Some courses include a synchronous (live, in real-time) component, scheduled at specific days and times. Students must be prepared to fulfill placement requirements in person. Centennial College has various placement partners locally, provincially, and nationally, and will assist students with the placement matching process. Alternatively, students may choose to find their own placements independently. It is important to note that all placements must be approved by the Centennial College Placement Coordinator.
The two-year college diploma program falls under the School of Community Care and Public Safety and will offer a strong foundation in the field of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This health program's curriculum will reflect best practices, current and relevant knowledge and address up-to-date issues. It will emphasize a deep understanding of:
- the life experiences of people who have disabilities;
- the nature of intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and Autism;
- valued social roles;
- advocacy;
- critical and reflective thinking;
- problem solving;
- effecting positive change;
- communication and teamwork;
- personal support requirements and techniques;
- teaching skills;
- time management; and
- accessing resources.
Helping people to fill valued social roles as a part of society, teaching and the provision of personal and educational support are among some of the skills you'll develop. These skills will be applied through virtual experiential practice as well as field placement opportunities. As such, the Developmental Services Worker program will ensure you're equipped with the critical skills and knowledge to start your career directly upon graduation.
Once you complete the Developmental Services Worker program, you'll support individuals of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Support can be provided to individuals in their homes, at work, in schools and to their families. Your goal as a developmental services worker will be to enhance the capacity of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to function in all aspects of community living and to support their full inclusion in all aspects of society.
As a Developmental Services Worker program grad, you'll have the ability to:
- conduct yourself in an ethical, competent and accountable manner in all professional relationships;
- provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities;
- provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice;
- support the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities;
- employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with developmental disabilities;
- provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities;
- develop strategies and plans that lead to improved personal job performance and the maintenance of you own well-being; and
- apply entrepreneurial strategies and skills to allow you to plan for your future and the changing needs in the Developmental Services Sector.
Join Centennial College’s Developmental Services Worker program and make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Start your journey towards a rewarding career today!
Program Overview
Note: You may also be interested in the in-person option.
Unlock your potential with Centennial College’s highly esteemed Developmental Services Worker program!
Centennial College's Developmental Services Worker program is highly regarded by established professionals, graduates, families, service agencies and people who have intellectual disabilities.
Whether you opt for online learning or attend classes in person, your professors will support you throughout your academic journey, and you'll have ample chances to engage with peers hailing from various regions of Ontario and beyond.
For this online program modality, all classes are online, with the exception of Field Placements, which require in-person attendance. Students will require a device to access classes. It should be equipped with a camera and microphone. Some courses include a synchronous (live, in real-time) component, scheduled at specific days and times. Students must be prepared to fulfill placement requirements in person. Centennial College has various placement partners locally, provincially, and nationally, and will assist students with the placement matching process. Alternatively, students may choose to find their own placements independently. It is important to note that all placements must be approved by the Centennial College Placement Coordinator.
The two-year college diploma program falls under the School of Community Care and Public Safety and will offer a strong foundation in the field of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This health program's curriculum will reflect best practices, current and relevant knowledge and address up-to-date issues. It will emphasize a deep understanding of:
- the life experiences of people who have disabilities;
- the nature of intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and Autism;
- valued social roles;
- advocacy;
- critical and reflective thinking;
- problem solving;
- effecting positive change;
- communication and teamwork;
- personal support requirements and techniques;
- teaching skills;
- time management; and
- accessing resources.
Helping people to fill valued social roles as a part of society, teaching and the provision of personal and educational support are among some of the skills you'll develop. These skills will be applied through virtual experiential practice as well as field placement opportunities. As such, the Developmental Services Worker program will ensure you're equipped with the critical skills and knowledge to start your career directly upon graduation.
Once you complete the Developmental Services Worker program, you'll support individuals of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Support can be provided to individuals in their homes, at work, in schools and to their families. Your goal as a developmental services worker will be to enhance the capacity of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to function in all aspects of community living and to support their full inclusion in all aspects of society.
As a Developmental Services Worker program grad, you'll have the ability to:
- conduct yourself in an ethical, competent and accountable manner in all professional relationships;
- provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities;
- provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice;
- support the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities;
- employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with developmental disabilities;
- provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities;
- develop strategies and plans that lead to improved personal job performance and the maintenance of you own well-being; and
- apply entrepreneurial strategies and skills to allow you to plan for your future and the changing needs in the Developmental Services Sector.
Join Centennial College’s Developmental Services Worker program and make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Start your journey towards a rewarding career today!
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Program Highlights
- School of Community Care and Public Safety faculty is guided by years of study and work in the field of intellectual disabilities and by personal relationships with people who have intellectual disabilities.
- Coursework will include projects, seminars, community observations, Internet searches, teamwork and electronic communication.
- Focus on gaining skills and knowledge to support career success (e.g. communication, critical thinking, research, collaboration) – practical lab classes and strong theory framework
- Supervised field placements will be offered in Semester 3 (two days per week) and Semester 4 (three days per week).
- Dynamic online modules led by dedicated professors for an immersive learning experience.
- Graduates of the Developmental Services Worker (DSW) program are eligible to register with the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD), supporting professional recognition and ongoing growth within the developmental services sector. In addition, Developmental Services Workers are also eligible for membership with the Ontario PSW Association (OPSWA). Membership provides access to professional liability insurance, legal and workplace protection, job connections, networking opportunities and ongoing professional development resources.
Areas of Employment
The field of intellectual disabilities involves a broad network of people who have intellectual disabilities, their families and friends, developmental services workers, organizations, and agencies that all provide supports and services to help people who have intellectual disabilities.
Graduates find employment as Residential Counsellors, Educational Assistants, Direct Support Professionals, Respite Workers, Family Support Workers etc.
If you want to learn about careers and job opportunities in the field of intellectual disabilities, community-based agencies and organizations, and the kinds of supports and services that are offered to people who have an intellectual disabilities, please visit:
- Developmental Services Ontario Resources
- Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities
- Adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario
Career Outlook
- Educational assistant
- Support worker
- Residential support worker
- Family support worker
- Employment support worker
- Job coach
- Community disability worker
- Integration facilitator
- Community facilitator
- Case worker
Education Pathways
Graduates from this Developmental Services Worker (online) diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are institutions offering pathways for this program.
Please note that each receiving institution has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving institution.
For more detailed pathways information, explore Centennial’s partner pathway options. Use the Education Pathways Checklist (pdf) as a guide as you explore your options.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Placement Partners
Some of our local Field Placement partners include: Sick Kids Hospital, CAMH, Holland Bloorview, Common Ground Co-operative Inc., Community Living Toronto, Deohaeko Support Network, Durham Association for Family Respite Services, Nabors, Frontier College, L'Arche Toronto, L'Arche Daybreak Richmond Hill, New Visions, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto District School Board, The Centre for Dreams, Community Living Ontario
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test
Additional Requirements
Semester Requirements
A C Grade is required in all core courses, apart from DSWP 107 Pharmacology where a B grade is required.
Field Placement Requirements
After admission, but prior to attending Field Placement:
- Most Field Placement agencies require a police reference check (vulnerable sector), a standard first aid certificate and a medical certificate attesting to good health. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in these agencies and program completion may not be possible
Any questions regarding criminal reference checks may be directed to the program contact by calling 416-289-5303.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall Registration begins mid-July
Winter Registration begins mid-December
Summer Registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2026.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $2,775.00 | $873.74 | $3,648.74 |
| International | $18,005.00 | $1,573.07 | $19,578.07 |
Delivery Mode
Delivery Mode
Asynchronous online: Students can access and engage with the course material anytime, anywhere, each week.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Conduct oneself in an ethical, competent and accountable manner in all professional relationships.
- Provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities.
- Provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice.
- Support health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities.
- Employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with developmental disabilities.
- Provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities.
- Develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.
- Apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new local and global opportunities as a response to changing needs in the Developmental Services Sector.
Advising Services
The Social Role Valorization Implementation Project
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