About Disability Support Worker Certificate in Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Program Overview

Do you like working with people? Do you believe everyone has the right to live life to the fullest? Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Disability Support Worker program offers the training you need to be a community service worker, supportive living worker, educational assistant or life enrichment worker.

Disability support workers are entrusted with the basic personal care of participants of all ages in residential and vocational settings. You’ll need strong communication skills, a common-sense approach to problem solving, an intuitive understanding of human behaviour and a steady personality.

Disability Support Worker is a one-year certificate program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus . It is also offered through distance and/or continuing education. Learn from experienced instructors how to provide compassionate, respectful care for individuals with challenging needs and disabling conditions. You’ll develop knowledge and practical skills in:

• basic care skills
• behavioural support and crisis prevention
• disability support services
• exceptionalities and human growth & development
• interpersonal, professional and employability skills
• person-centred planning
• quality of life enhancements

Enhancing Lives

As a disability support worker, you’ll be working with people of all ages and varying levels of ability. The program not only provides the practical skills you’ll need, it also provides a broad knowledge base. You’ll have the tools you need to enhance individual lives, while also build a rewarding career for yourself.

Practical Experience

Practical experience is an essential part of your program. You’ll get direct experience helping individuals in two practicums with residential, vocational centre-based or community-based agencies. In caring, secure and stimulating environments, you’ll develop your skills in providing basic care, planning programs and implementing activities.

The Disability Support Worker curriculum has recently been revised. Students who started taking courses for this program prior to July 1, 2019 have until July 1, 2021 to take the following four courses:

• Health Promotion (HLTH-184CE)         
• Sexuality and Disabilities (HUMD-191CE)        
• Intro Disability Support Serv (SPSY-185CE)        
• Professional Role (SPSY-287CE)

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

When you graduate, you’ll be qualified to work as a disability support worker, supportive living worker, educational assistant, vocational training worker or community residential worker. Work environments include health care and long-term care facilities, educational institutions, group homes and more.  Look for job opportunities with community-based agencies, school systems and government agencies.

For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at a campus nearest you.

Academic qualification equivalents:

• Grade 12 with a minimum 60% in each of the following subjects: English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Chemistry 30 and Pre-Calculus 30

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS       :    Overall minimum score of Band 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.0 in each component.
• TOEFL     :     An overall minimum score of 81 on the Internet-based Test of English
• PTE          :    A minimum score of 63 with minimum component scores of 50.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic Highlights

Saskatchewan Polytechnic First-Year Tuition Fees And Living Expenses For International Students

Over the course of one academic year, the following graph displays tuition and living expense estimates in Canadian currency for one full-time international undergraduate student. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates; actual pricing will vary depending on your needs and preferences. Other factors to consider include currency changes, visa and study authorization fees, and vacations back home.

• For international students, the overall fees will range from:-

• For a student of Saskatchewan Polytechnic the required financials (Cost of Attendance) can be:-