- Level
- 1-Year Post Secondary Certificate
- CIP code
- 51.2602
- Duration
- 8 month college certificate with placement
- Open intakes
-
Off-shoreJan 2027, May 2027
- Field
- Nursing and Healthcare Management
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Superfast Offer Speed2–3 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-01-01
Program overview
An eight month Ontario College Certificate covering personal care, safety and mobility, cognitive and mental health support, palliative care and clinical placement.
This eight month certificate is taught at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster and offers January, May and September starts.
Mohawk College, a public Ontario college founded in 1966, delivers the personal support worker certificate at its Institute for Applied Health Sciences on the McMaster University campus. Mohawk lists the personal support worker certificate on its PGWP list under CIP 51.2602, so it meets the field of study rule for college credentials. A programme under two years supports a permit matching its length, so the personal support worker certificate points to a work permit of about a year or less. A provincial attestation letter from Ontario is needed before the personal support worker certificate can support a study permit application.
Applicants to the personal support worker certificate need Grade 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 50 percent. The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and tuition for the personal support worker certificate is recorded at CAD 15,346. Mohawk charges a CAD 100 application fee and asks for the full first semester of tuition before it issues the acceptance and attestation letters for the personal support worker certificate. There are six entry windows for the personal support worker certificate including May starts, starting from January 2027. Apply Study Visa manages the application for the personal support worker certificate, the payment to Mohawk, the attestation letter and your 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 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5; TOEFL iBT 80; PTE Academic 50 with no band below 43; or the Duolingo English Test at 105 with no band below 100.
- Application and payment: Mohawk charges a non-refundable CAD 100 application fee. Full first semester tuition must be paid before Mohawk issues the letter of acceptance and the provincial attestation letter. If your study permit is refused, Mohawk refunds tuition paid less a CAD 250 administrative fee, provided you apply within 60 days of the programme start date and upload the refusal letter.
- Scholarship: No entrance scholarship is recorded against this programme. Mohawk runs awards and bursaries for enrolled students, but they are competitive and not guaranteed, so budget the full tuition.
- Additional requirement: A police record check with vulnerable sector screening, immunisations and CPR are required before placement, and an unpardoned criminal record can block entry to placement.
- Work rights: Mohawk lists this programme under CIP 51.2602, supporting a permit matching the programme length, about a year or less. A PGWP also requires a language test at CLB 5 in all four abilities, 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
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- 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:
- Personal Support Worker: long term care
- Home Support Worker: home care agencies
- Health Care Aide: hospitals
- Retirement Home Aide: retirement residences
- Respite Worker: family services
- Practical Nurse: after further study
Reality check: PSW demand across Ontario is high, and graduates can later bridge into practical nursing through Mohawk’s PSW to PN stream.
About Mohawk College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.5
- Established
- 1966
- Reference No.
- O19376045902
