- Level
- 2-Year UG Diploma
- CIP code
- 19.0710
- Duration
- 2 year college diploma
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreMay 2027
- Field
- Social and Community Services
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-05-01
Program overview
A two year Ontario College Diploma at Algonquin covering developmental disabilities, person centred planning, behaviour support, health and personal care and field placements.
This two year diploma opens in May as well as September.
The developmental services worker diploma is taught at Algonquin College’s Ottawa campus on Woodroffe Avenue, the main campus of a public Ontario college founded in 1967. Algonquin lists the developmental services worker diploma on its PGWP list under CIP 19.0710, and because it runs two years or more it can support a permit of up to three years. Algonquin notes that eligibility is fixed when you apply for your study permit, so applying while 19.0710 is on the frozen 2026 list protects your position for the developmental services worker diploma. Ontario also requires a provincial attestation letter before the developmental services worker diploma can support a study permit.
Entry to the developmental services worker diploma needs Grade 12 or equivalent at 50 percent or above. The English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, and tuition for the developmental services worker diploma is recorded at CAD 16,165 for the year. Algonquin charges a CAD 135 application fee, and if your study permit is refused it keeps only CAD 250 of the fees paid for the developmental services worker diploma, provided the refusal letter reaches it within ten days. The developmental services worker diploma is open to international students in two 2027 intakes including a May start, the earliest in May 2027. Apply Study Visa handles the application for the developmental services worker diploma, the fee payment, the attestation letter and the Canadian study permit as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: Grade 12 or equivalent, at the percentage stated for this programme.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 88 with 22 in each section, or 4.5 in each section on the new scale for tests taken after 21 January 2026; or the Duolingo English Test at 120 with 120 in Literacy and no subscore below 105. PTE Academic is not listed among the tests Algonquin accepts, so do not book it for this programme.
- Application and payment: Algonquin charges a CAD 135 application fee. Pay the required fees by the deadline on your admissions letter to secure your seat and attestation letter. If your study permit is refused, Algonquin refunds all but a CAD 250 administrative fee, provided the refusal letter is dated after your latest acceptance letter and reaches the college within ten days. Other withdrawals before the start carry a CAD 2,200 penalty.
- Scholarship: No entrance scholarship is recorded against this programme. Algonquin offers awards to international students based on grades once enrolled, so budget the full tuition.
- Additional requirement: A police record check with vulnerable sector screening and immunisation records are required before placement, and an unpardoned criminal record can block entry to placement.
- Work rights: Algonquin lists this programme as PGWP eligible under CIP 19.0710, supporting a work permit of up to three years. A PGWP also requires a language test at CLB 5 in all four abilities for college credentials, taken within two years of applying. This is separate from the English test you need for admission. No open work permit for a spouse or partner, since IRCC now limits those to master, doctoral and select professional programmes.
- Study permit: Apply Study Visa prepares the attestation letter request, the financial evidence and the Canadian study permit submission with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Developmental Services Worker: community agencies
- Residential Support Worker: group homes
- Educational Assistant: school boards
- Day Program Worker: day programs
- Job Coach: employment services
- Program Coordinator: after experience
Reality check: Developmental services agencies in Ontario recruit steadily, often for shift work.
About Algonquin College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.7
- Established
- 1967
- Reference No.
- O19358971022
