Full-time Programs
DSWP / DSWA / DSWD - Developmental Services Worker
Program Entry
SEPTEMBER AND JANUARY, Regular or Accelerated Programs, Distance Education
Program Length
Two-Year Ontario College Diploma
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Colleen Orrick | corrick@loyalistc.on.ca |
| Gord Connors (Distance) | gconnors@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- Make a real difference in the lives of adults and children with disabilities.
- Both male and female graduates of Loyalist’s DSW program are in extremely high demand.
- Gain over 650 hours of real-world experience locally or abroad, in four work placements.
- Earn your diploma full-time or part-time, on campus or by distance. You may even be eligible to complete an accelerated program in just 10 months.
- Students are also provided training in the administration of medications
Career Opportunities
Developmental services workers support people of all ages with physical and developmental disabilities. There are many opportunities for graduates:
- as developmental services workers
- as activity directors
- as educational assistants in schools
- with seniors
- in the health, employment and recreational field
- skills in community building, health care and literacy training have enabled some recent graduates to obtain employment in developing countries
Program Description
In this program, students learn to effectively support individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities as valued members of the community, by:
- developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes that can empower adults and children with disabilities
- facilitating greater integration through supported community living
- enabling participation and enjoyment in all aspects of living
The first year involves primarily classroom-based instruction. Smaller class sizes allow for more personal attention from the faculty.
The second year is focused on practical, hands-on learning, with:
- four consecutive seven-week field placements, scheduled four days a week
- over 650 hours of real-world training experience
- on-site faculty support during local placements
- a fifth practicum in Applied Medications, which takes place on campus in Loyalist’s state-of-the-art simulation lab.
- Practica are flexible and tailored to student interests.
- Students choose from a wide range of local, national and international placement locations.
- An optional individualized practicum provides the opportunity to further customize studies.
- In consultation with faculty, international placements have been organized in places such as Australia, Mexico, England and Portugal, when a student chooses to do an international placement
- Evaluation is based on skills and competencies specific to each practicum, provided in booklet form for subsequent use in student portfolios.
DSWA – ACCELERATED PROGRAM:
Applicants who have already completed a related degree or diploma (e.g. Early Childhood Education, Social Services Worker) can complete the DSW diploma in 10 months through the accelerated program.
DSWD – DISTANCE EDUCATION:
Due to the high demand for Loyalist graduates, this program is also offered through correspondence.
- Students can complete the entire program via distance, begin the program in person and switch to distance, or vice versa.
- Students can take as few or as many courses as they choose, to a maximum of eight per semester.
- The location and scheduling of field placements can be tailored to students’ individual circumstances.
- Some students may be eligible to receive credit for prior experience and learning.
- Contact Gord Connors, Distance Coordinator (gconnors@loyalistc.on.ca or 613-969-1913, ext. 2349) for details.
Approximate Cost
Tuition: $2,688 (two semesters)
Tuition (Accelerated): $3,878
Books and Supplies: $1,040
Admission Requirements
(a) Required academic preparation -
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U), (M) or (O) level
- Or - mature applicant
(b) Health: A formal confidential personal health history is required as part of the registration process, and to participate in practica/field placements. All applicants must be aware of the basic health requirements for employment and for field placement. Prospective students with special needs or limitations that may affect their field placement or potential employment opportunities are encouraged to discuss their program and career goals with faculty prior to admissions.
(c) C.P.R. and First Aid: Prior to second year field placements, students must have valid certification in Standard First Aid and Level “B” CPR
(d) Criminal Record Check: In order to participate in most placements, students will be required to complete a clean criminal record check by their local police service.
(e) Advanced Standing – Applicants with prior learning or related work experience may be eligible for credit recognition through Prior Learning Assessment or transfer of credit from another college or university.
SECOND YEAR: Four seven-week practicum blocks are available in Fall, Winter and Spring Semesters, with attached seminars.
Note: Students must successfully complete the Health Care Skills/Applied Medications practica. If they receive permission, they may substitute the Individualized Placement for one of Educational, Community, or Elderly Citizens practicum.
The Individualized Placement is very flexible, can be tailored to the student’s career plan, and is often conducted in the student’s home community. Some students have used this opportunity to gain practical experience in other locations such as Denmark, Mexico, Portugal, Scotland, the U.S.A., Australia, and Nunavut.
Evaluation is based on skills and competencies specific to each practicum. These are provided in booklet form for use during each practicum assignment and subsequent use in an individual’s portfolio.
Loyalist / University Transfer
Turn your diploma into a degree. Credit transfer agreements are in place with the following institutions as of September 2006:
Athabasca University
Carleton University
Griffith University
Nipissing University
Ryerson University
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Graduates may contact the university of their choice to make individual arrangements. Informal agreements are in place with other institutions and new transfer agreements are added annually. For more information on university transfer, please click here.
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One
DSWP 1000 Positive Behavioural Supports 1
Students are provided with the opportunity to learn a variety of theoretical and practical methods for assisting individuals to develop pro-social behaviour and skills in least restrictive, self-determined, and inclusive ways.
DSWP 1001 Person Centred Planning
Person Centred Planning is an approach to organizing services and support in the community for children and adults who are labeled as handicapped.
DSWP 1002 Applied Health Sciences 1
Provides an overview of the structure and function of the human body. Included are disorders, their cause, etiology, treatments and prevention. Students study basic microbiology and the role of microbes in health and disease.
DSWP 1003 Introduction to Exceptionalities
The causes, prevalence, identification and remediation of exceptionalities and the resources available to meet these needs is discussed. A special emphasis is placed on prevention.
DSWP 1004 Social Issues
Examines the historical development of services to people with disabilities with emphasis on how the nature of prevailing attitudes and perceptions molds services and assists in the creation of devalued and dependent roles for recipients. A new paradigm which focuses on the development of supports is presented.
DSWP 1005 Current Issues 1
An examination of controversial, timely and relevant issues that confront professionals in the Developmental Services field.
PLAC 1000 Placement Seminar
Students will identify and explore relevant placement issues through in-class exercises, and planning and participating in a one day workshop involving second year students, faculty, and resource people from community agencies.
PSYC 1000 Developmental Psychology
A course in human development that will examine how and why we change over time in personality, behaviours, thinking, social relations, roles, etc.
First Year - Semester Two
DSWP 1006 The Helping Relationship
An examination of the theoretical and interpersonal skills required to make effective helping possible.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1000
DSWP 1007 Positive Behavioural Supports 2
Students will employ appropriate and effective teaching strategies in supporting individuals to develop appropriate pro-social behaviours and skills across a variety of community based environments. The primary goal is to enhance opportunities for inclusion, while maximizing participation and independence in daily living.
Prerequisite: DSWP 1000
DSWP 1008 Person Centred Strategies
This course is a continuation of Person Centred Planning. The student will add goals, objectives and intervention strategies to the previously written information.
Prerequisite: DSWP 1001
DSWP 1009 Applied Health Sciences 2
This course is a continuation of AHS 1 and will describe the structure and function of body systems and the related disorders. Basic facts of nutrition and how they relate to health and disease will be presented.
Prerequisite: DSWP 1002
DSWP 1010 Developmental Services
Students examine the social challenges that people with handicaps face, and look at ways these can be overcome with the assistance of DSW graduates. Practical applications of Social Role Valorization are examined. Individual and institutional abuse is discussed. Strategies for change are examined.
Prerequisite: DSWP 1004
DSWP 1011 Selected Topics
A series of seminars, workshops and guest presentations chosen by faculty and employers on contemporary issues and recent changes in the developmental services field.
DSWP 1012 Legislation and Advocacy
Students are provided with the opportunity to examine issues and trends in the field of Developmental Services, in order to better prepare themselves to begin to meet the needs of people while on placement in the 2nd year of the DSW program and beyond.
Prerequisite: DSWP 1005
PHAR 1000 Pharmacology/Legal Issues
A study of basic pharmacology with a special emphasis on medication used in the treatment/management of developmental disorders. The legalities of drug administration will be discussed in relationship to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Standards required for the Developmental Services Worker, to ensure a safe and competent professional worker. The practical aspects of administrating all forms and routes of drugs (except injectable) as well as drug interactions will be discussed. This course requires both visual acuity and controlled manual dexterity.
Prerequisite: DSWP 1003
Second Year - Mandatory Courses and Practica
PRAC 2008 Applied Medications Practicum
A supervised placement in a selected community agency where students competently demonstrate their knowledge and skills related to the administration of medications. The student must administer drugs from a minimum of five different classifications on four separate occasions. This course emphasizes drugs used in the treatment/management of developmental disorders or aberrant behaviour. Visual acuity, controlled manual dexterity, and a sound knowledge of the principles of pharmacology are required in this course.
Co-requisites: PRAC 2013, PHAR 2000, DSWP 2000 & DSWP 2001
PRAC 2013 Health Care Skills Practicum
A two-month supervised practicum in community services with people with multiple and complex needs, including the administration and supervision of medications.
Co-requisites: PRAC 2008, PHAR 2000, DSWP 2000 & DSWP 2001
DSWP 2000 Health Care Skills Theory
This course provides both theory and simulated practice in a variety of skills to assist individuals to meet their needs.
Co-requisites: PRAC 2008, PRAC 2013, PHAR 2000 & DSWP 2001
DSWP 2001 Current Trends in Society
A weekly seminar to integrate practicum experiences and theory with an overview of placements, services, and career development opportunities.
Co-requisites: PRAC 2008, PRAC 2013, PHAR 2000 & DSWP 2000
PHAR 2000 Applied Pharmacology
This is a two-part course dealing with both theory and practice in the administration of medications, according to the Standards as outlined for the Developmental Services Worker by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Prerequisites: DSWP 1002 & PHAR 1000
Co-requisites: PRAC 2008, PRAC 2013, DSWP 2000 & DSWP 2001
Second Year - Additional Practicum Areas (Choose Three)
PRAC 2009 Individualized Practicum
A two-month, faculty-approved practicum tailored to the student’s career goals. This may replace one of the four required practicum modules. Faculty permission is required.
PRAC 2010 Community Supports Practicum
A two-month supervised practicum in residential work, and support services for community living.
PRAC 2011 Educational Services Practicum
A two-month supervised practicum integrated, inclusive public and high school settings.
PRAC 2012 Elderly Citizens Practicum
A two-month supervised practicum in elderly services emphasizing activation and social/recreational services.
