Developmental Services Worker
Program Overview
Humber’s Developmental Services Worker (DSW) 2-year diploma program teaches you skills to become a highly skilled professional who will effectively promote the physical, mental and emotional health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across their lifespan.
Our faculty team consists of developmental services professionals who are active in the field, and our small class sizes allow for individualized attention. Our curriculum is designed with input from developmental services field experts, ensuring courses are current and relevant.
Your studies begin with an introduction to the developmental services sector and an overview of the types of developmental disabilities and the range of available community support services for this population. Next, you will learn about positive behaviour supports and intervention techniques (practising strategies with the use of simulation), person-centered planning, dual diagnosis, health and wellness, basic pharmacology, supporting people with autism and other complex needs, sign language and augmentative forms of communication, and effective responses to people who have experienced abuse. Finally, you will develop skills in building interpersonal relationships and problem-solving.
You will also build your expertise in our counselling labs which provide an ideal setting to develop competencies for working with individuals with limited verbal skills and through hands-on practice of health-care skills and medication administration. This program includes 600 hours of field experience.
The Developmental Services Worker program is also offered part time.
Work-Integrated Learning
Our program offers a rich diversity of innovative and traditional opportunities to connect with the field. You will complete 600 hours of field experience in the developmental services sector with established community partners over the duration of the program.
Students will engage in the first 200 hours of field experience two days per week, over 14 weeks in Semester 2. In Semester 4, students will engage in 400 hours of field experience, four days per week for 14 weeks. Opportunities are arranged with the help of a dedicated field experience advisor and are typically unpaid. As part of the field experience, students will attend seminar classes and complete coursework.
Important note: the preparation for your Field Experience starts one term prior to your Work Integrated term. To see what needs to be done before you start your Filed Experience, please review Progression Path infographic. In the document, Month One refers to the first month of your pre-WIL term, Month Two refers to your second pre-WIL term, etc. For example, if your WIL term is scheduled for Winter term, Month One will be the first month of the Fall term, i.e. September.
For detailed information about your Work Integrated Learning processes see the FSCS Work Integrated Learning Handbook. Please also review our WIL Blackboard Site Overview video for more details.
Have any questions about your future or current Field Experience? Reach out to your program’s Field Experience Advisor at DSWplacement@humber.ca.
Advisory Committee
This program’s advisory committee is comprised of people with extensive experience in the developmental services work profession, representing a variety of settings where developmental services workers are employed. Many are also members of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD).
Community Partnerships
Some of our community partners include:
- Addus
- Aptus Treatment Centre
- Brampton Caledon Community Living
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
- Community Living
- Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board
- Peel and Halton Acquired Brain Injury Services
- Sick Kids Hospital
Recorded Information Sessions
Watch our recorded information sessions to learn more about the program and how it can boost your career.
Who is the Program for?
Learn more about the Developmental Services Worker program and if it's right for you.
About the Courses
Program co-ordinator Andrea Rutherford discusses the courses and learning outcomes.
Work-Integrated Learning
Experiential learning opportunities are a great way for students to practice their skills hands-on in the field.
Your Career
A career as a developmental services worker will allow you to help people with disabilities live, work and participate in their communities across their lifespan. You will use your skills to support people with intellectual disabilities, autism, physical challenges or other needs. You will learn skills to successfully work collaboratively with families and a wide range of community services and professionals.
You can find work assisting people in a variety of roles including:
- classroom assistant in a daycare centre
- community support worker
- direct support worker
- educational/teaching assistant in a school
- employment supports worker
- family support worker
- residential support worker
- seniors support worker
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD)
Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD) and its Developmental Services Special Interest Group (DSSIG).
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Opening Soon |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Opening Soon |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | Course-Based | Lakeshore | Opening Soon |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Promotions & Contests
Win big with Humber. Enter the Humber Win $5,000 Tuition Contest, become eligible to have your application fee credited back through Apply On Us for September 2026, and don’t miss the Humber Winter Start Prize Pack Contest or Humber Apple Summer Start Pack Contest.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
Social & Community - Human Services
Watch the video to hear what our graduates have to say about the Developmental Services Worker program and how the program prepared them for a rewarding career in the Human Services sector.
News Feed
DSW Grad Launch
Program Highlights
On Monday April 2nd, 2025, the Developmental Services Worker program hosted their annual Grad Launch celebration!
FSCS Programs Collaborate for Interpersonal Learning Event
Program Highlights
Faculty from Forensics Identification, PSI, DSW, and the SIM Lab team led students in an interprofessional crisis simulation event.
No news at this time.
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