DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICE WORKER DIPLOMA PROGRAM

Overview

The Developmental Service Worker program (DSW Program) provides special training for students looking for a gratifying career working with adults, youth, and children who have developmental, cognitive, and physical disabilities. The DSW Student will also learn to support individuals with mental illnesses. Graduates from the Developmental Service Worker Program support individuals with developmental, cognitive, physical disabilities, and mental illnesses. They have the expertise and skills to interview assist, assess and counsel clients (adult, youth, children, and their families). Developmental Service Workers facilitate life skills, promote health and wellbeing, encourage inclusive environments, and provide personal care for all clients with developmental disabilities. MTG Healthcare Academy Developmental Service Worker Program meets all provincial standardization guidelines and learning outcomes.

Program Courses

Social Skills
Philosophy of Support
Intervention Strategies
Teaching Skills
First Aid/CPR
Crisis Prevention Intervention
Developmental Disabilities
Dual Diagnosis
Pharmacology
Human Sexuality
Developmental Psychology
Health and Wellness

Admission Requirements

Standard Admission Prerequisites

Must meet one of the following:

Alberta High School Diploma verified by transcript, or
Secondary school diploma or transcript from another Canadian province or territory, or
Successful completion of the General Equivalency Diploma (GED), or
Transcript, Diploma, or Certificate from another country assessed at an Alberta recognized assessment service, or
English Grade 12 or equivalent.

Satisfactory interview with a school advisor

Mature Admission Prerequisites

At least 18 years old upon admission,
Academic Achievement Test

Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination: 20, or
Accuplacer Test: 237

English Language Proficiency

Meet one of the following:

Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] – 7 in each strand, or
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General [CELPIP] – 7 with no section score below 6, or
International English Language Testing System [IELTS] – 6 with no section score below 5.5, or
Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] – 71, or
Duolingo Language Test: 95, or
Three years of full-time secondary education at a Canadian high school where the primary language of instruction was English, or
Two years full-time study at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where the primary language of instruction was English, or
Three years full-time study at a college level in a country where the medium of instruction is English.

Satisfactory interview with a school advisor

Post Admission Requirements

Complete Immunization Record including flu shot and Covid-19 vaccine,
Up-to-date clear Criminal Reference Check and Vulnerable Sector Check

Criminal Reference / Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or placement.