Diploma in Developmental Services Worker is a diploma in Social & Cultural Studies programme offered by Durham College in Oshawa, Canada. The programme runs for 4 semesters, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 15,489 per year (CAD 2,776 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Social & Cultural Studies
Duration: 4 semesters
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 2,776 / year
International tuition: CAD 15,489 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
Developmental services workers (DSWs) support people in all stages of life who have a developmental disability. DSWs focus on helping children and adults experience satisfying and rich quality lives as active and valued members of their communities. DSWs have core values which focus on social justice, empowerment, dignity, self-worth, human relationships and integrity. As a student in this program, you will: Learn to develop and implement support plans that encourage the development of meaningful and relevant skills, self-determination, full community participation and healthy lifestyles. Learn to work with students with autism and disabilities in a classroom setting. Gain the skills to provide family support and build natural connections for people with developmental disabilities. Additionally, you will develop advocacy skills for people with developmental disabilities.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Durham College's minimum entry is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or Mature Student Status for applicants 19 or older who have not completed high school. The Developmental Services Worker program's own page adds only Grade 12 English at the C or U level; it states no further academic prerequisite and no minimum admission average. The program page states no English-language test score of its own for international applicants and points to Durham's institution-wide requirement for certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs, set out on the college's international admissions page: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, TOEFL iBT 80 with no section below 20, PTE Academic 53 overall with no section below 49, CAEL 60 overall with no section below 60, or Duolingo English Test 105; domestic applicants may instead evidence English with the required Grade 12 English credit. Before starting field placement, students must also provide a clear, current Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening, current Level C CPR and Standard First Aid certification, and a completed entry immunization form.
Application Details
Start Date:September intake - the only intake listed on this program's page. Classes begin 8 September 2026 in the current cycle.
Application Deadline:Domestic (apply at ontariocolleges.ca): equal-consideration date 1 February for a September start - 1 February 2026 covered the September 2026 intake and the same rule applies to the next September intake. Applications completed after the equal-consideration date are still accepted and assessed while seats remain. International: apply through Durham College's own international application, not ontariocolleges.ca; Durham publishes no general international closing date and directs applicants to the Intakes and Availability table on the program page.
