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Algonquin College

Ottawa , southern Ontario ,Canada

Diploma in Developmental Services Worker

The two-year Developmental Services Worker Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to support children, youth and adults with physical, mental and/or developmental disabilities, through their activities of daily living, behavior support, personal care, and special education. You assist these individuals as they improve their existing skills and acquire new ones for independence, citizenship and social living.

As a student, you learn strategies for providing support in schools and community settings, in ways that are respectful of the dignity and individuality of each person you work with.

This program prepares you to support people of all ages with various developmental and physical disabilities, and mental health disorders. The Developmental Services Worker program uses both experiential and outcome-based theory to help you prepare to work in a variety of settings in the educational as well as the community and social services fields.

During your program of study, you apply theory and skills in various field placements, with opportunities to work as an Educational Assistant and Community Support/Residential Counsellor. These placements allow you to explore concepts from a hands-on point of view. Field placements are crucial when entering human services and help prepare you for work in the field. Throughout the program, you complete a series of field placements, totaling more than 500 hours of work experience.

You may find work in a variety of roles after graduation, including:

  • educational assistant
  • developmental assistant
  • special needs worker
  • residential counselor
  • employment specialist
  • life skills instructor
  • vocational instructor
  • family support worker
  • support network facilitator

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

  • Are passionate about supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
  • I want to work in challenging environments that are physically demanding.
  • Have fine motor skills required for writing and administering medications.
  • Are advocates for social justice.
  • Show integrity, are honest and trustworthy.
  • Display a positive attitude.

Campus Information

Ottawa

A college campus should be designed around student needs. It should include the facilities — from public busing to affordable, healthy food services — that make student life efficient, worry-free, and productive. Students have varied interests and needs. That’s why the Ottawa campus of Algonquin accommodates a diverse range of requirements. A college campus should be setup to encourage discussion, with students enriching each other’s experience, providing friendship, support and offering a special way to learn.

Intakes

  • Sep
  • May

Application Processing Time in Days: 45

Application Process

LOA
30 Days

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

More than 90% of graduates from this program are employed within six months of graduating.

You may find work in a variety of roles after graduation, including:

  • educational assistant
  • developmental assistant
  • special needs worker
  • residential counselor
  • employment specialist
  • life skills instructor
  • vocational instructor
  • family support worker
  • support network facilitator

PSW Opportunity

  • 3* Year PSW Opportunity Minimum 2 years of study.

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
  • Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
  • General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $50 (subject to change) will be charged.

Program Eligibility

  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band. OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.

Health Requirements:

The physical and emotional health of each applicant to the program must be such that he or she can successfully cope with the program of instruction including the demands of field placement (e.g. stress and time management; physical care and self-help skills of children and adults). Individuals who have concerns about their ability to meet these requirements should contact the coordinator of the program prior to submitting an application.

Police Records Check Documentation

Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note important information listed below regarding Police Records Check program requirements.

Students must provide the College with a current Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS) prior to the deadline identified by the department and students are responsible for any associated costs. If this documentation is not submitted on time, students may not be placed and registration in the program will be jeopardized. If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate and will be asked to withdraw.

Field Placement Eligibility:

To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of Standard First Aid certification, CPR level C, Quality Assurance Measures Certification, Worker Safety Standard Certification, PRCSVS and complete immunizations through ParaMed. ParaMed services are the third-party provider who collects all field placement documentation for the Community Studies department. Students should plan for extra costs associated with these requirements. 

Bangladesh

Higher Secondary Certificate – With an average of 60% and no core subject below 55%

Or: General Certificate of Education (0 Level). Require a minimum of five academic subjects, of which one is English with a grade of C

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  •  A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based with no single test score below 20)
  •  Or IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)
  •  Or CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) with an overall band score of 60

India

One of the following:

  • CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) or ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) – Higher Secondary Certificate – With an average of 60% and no grade below 55%
  •  Or Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat State Boards – Higher Secondary Certificate – With an average of 65% and no grade below 60%
  •  Or all other State Boards – Higher Secondary transcripts – With an average of 60% and no grade below 55%

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  •     1. Academic IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 6.0)

Nepal

High School Transcripts

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  •  A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based with no single test score below 20)
  •  Or IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)
  •  Or CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) with an overall band score of 60

Sri Lanka

One of the following:

  •  Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level Examination Level results or
  •  General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) At Ordinary Level (showing at least five subjects passed) or
  •  National Diploma (Agriculture, Technology)

All of the above must be completed with a minimum grade representing 65 percent or higher in required program subjects

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based with no single test score below 20)
  • Or IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)
  • Or CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) with an overall band score of 60