Diploma in Social Service Worker

at Durham College - Oshawa Campus Canada

The skills of Behavioural Science Technicians are increasingly in demand as Canada’s population continues to age, more people seek support for mental health and addictions, and diagnosed cases of Autism Spectrum disorder continue to rise. If you have an interest in human behaviour and a desire to help others improve their quality of life, then this interdisciplinary program is for you.

Through a comprehensive mix of theoretical, research and applied courses, you will develop in-demand professional competencies that link the science, clinical, communication and ethical aspects of behavioural science.

You will gain knowledge and skills of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to support clients from various age groups.  You will  learn how to assist with behavioural assessments and contribute to the design and application of behaviour change plans for clients with developmental disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, dementia and other conditions associated with aging.   

Graduates will enter the field with the ability to engage in ethical decision-making and collaborate with other professionals when providing behavioural treatment. Behavioural Science Technicians are employed in a variety of settings related to education, family support services, mental health treatment and gerontology.

Dental office administrators play a vital role that enhances operations in the dental setting such as processing information, utilizing paper and electronic management systems, scheduling, financial records and proficient interpersonal skills. They create a connection between clients and dentists by coordinating requests from both parties. This program combines academic study and practical applications to provide a graduate with the skills, knowledge and professionalism to manage dental office business applications, software and communications for a client-centered practice. Graduates are eligible to write a certification examination through the Ontario Dental Assistants Association. Durham College’s Dental programs are highly regarded within dental communities.

Web developers act as a vital bridge between the design of a website and back-end coding to create a seamless user interface by applying traditional design methods to emerging technologies while being flexible, creative and quick to respond to the design challenges of the ever-changing digital landscape.

Building on the fundamentals of interactive media design, this program prepares students for an exciting career in the field of web design and web development. Delivered by the School of Media, Art & Design, students will have access to the latest software and web technologies in studios built specifically for interaction and web design. Unlike other web development programs, students will approach interactive elements through a creative lens to develop the graphic and technical skills to become highly competent designers and deliver dynamic, cross-media content in a complex and competitive business environment. With the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to design and develop web content for all digital platforms, graduates will be familiar with the latest trends and techniques when entering the workforce.

An education in journalism provides excellent training in critical thinking, writing and presenting ideas while preparing students for one of the most interesting careers imaginable. Armed with very transferable knowledge, skills and experience, journalism graduates go on to write and deliver stories on all written and broadcast platforms. Students also develop an array of social media skills and undergo experiential learning through the program’s ‘working newsroom’, before moving on to a seven-week field placement, applying their skills in a professional environment. Students taking the Journalism advanced diploma program will have an additional four-week field placement at the end of the sixth semester.

This program embraces the broad changes occurring in the media landscape and offers a progressive curriculum that will allow you to focus on development of journalism, social media skills and content creation on all platforms – online, print and broadcast. Students in the Journalism – Mass Media program will develop the essential skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to work in this progressive, critical profession. In their first year, students are introduced to the core journalism skills and learn how society functions both locally and globally. In their second year, students focus on creating content for all media platforms and undergoing experiential learning through our ‘working newsroom’'.

Due to the constant evolution of technology and the increasing development of new platforms of communication, traditional media professions such as journalism are facing new opportunities, as well as new challenges. Changes in the delivery methods of traditional news have forced journalists and others within the journalism industry to change how they do their jobs. For instance, journalists can now collect information with their phones and deliver stories directly to multiple platforms.

Graduates will have developed skills in: broadcasting, reporting, interviewing, editing, writing, content creation and media production, teamwork and critical thinking. You will have knowledge of applicable legislation, standards and professional ethics, and recognize the importance of continuous learning. More specifically, you will gain a clear understanding of the impact of digital technology on journalism and will be able to respond and adapt effectively and efficiently to technological changes.

Upon successful completion of this program you will have opportunities at an entry-level in a wide variety of news organizations and as content creators for a variety of private companies and public organizations, such as school boards, hospitals and governments. Graduates will have the skills to perform a range of tasks, including:
Writing local, national and international news through interviews and research

• Writing news stories for publication and/or broadcast
• Editing, analyzing and verifying information for accuracy
• Researching and conducting interviews for broadcast, online and print
• Applying production skills and using equipment to create content for a range of platforms
• Using social media platforms to engage audiences
• Planning and designing editorial content to meet a mass communications strategy for a client

Durham’s Journalism – Mass Media program has successfully covered the campus and community since 1974. It has an ongoing history of excellence, winning Ontario Community Newspaper Association honours on a regular basis. Our graduates have a track record of producing quality work across Canada – for news organizations such as CBC, CTV and TSN and in communities from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Grads have also earned careers as content creators and social media coordinators for companies, agencies and institutions.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. 

Whether you’re interested in a career in health care, rehabilitation or social services, the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (OTPA) program will prepare you to work with clients of all ages with a variety of physical, cognitive, emotional and developmental conditions. Working under the guidance of a registered occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist, you will maximize physical function and occupational performance to promote increased daily functioning and overall well-being for your clients. Hands-on labs begin in semester one where you learn and practice therapy skills in small groups to prepare you for success in the field. This program offers close to 600 clinical hours in a range of unique and diverse placement settings. Our new onsite living lab provides realistic simulations that transform classroom knowledge into the practical skills required for the field.

In this two-year program you will learn to assist with the implementation of rehabilitation treatment plans and programs across the lifespan, from children to older adults, and throughout the continuum of care. Our faculty team brings a wide variety of clinical experiences and expertise to ensure you are well-prepared for your future career in rehabilitation.

Program highlights:

• Hands-on labs begin in semester one where you learn and practice therapy skills in small groups to prepare you for success in the field
• Close to 600 hours of fieldwork experience, offering diverse placement settings
• Theory and labs specializing in teaching the knowledge and skills necessary to treat clients with a wide variety of musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiac, respiratory and complex conditions
• Our new on-site living lab provides the opportunity to practice clinical skills and scenarios in a realistic environment
• Focus on development of professional skills throughout the program, including effective verbal and written communication strategies
• Collaborations with community partners and other disciplines allow students the opportunity to experience  interprofessional  rehabilitation and further develop team-work and communication skills

This program is approved by the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and students in the program receive a 16-month student membership with ADRIO. This program is also approved by the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM) and Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO).

If you are a university or college graduate or a professional wishing to gain additional conflict resolution skills, as well as an Ontario college graduate certificate, this program will provide you with the tools, knowledge, and practice to effectively negotiate, analyze and resolve conflict in various settings such as:

• Workplace
• Family
• Community
• Education
• Health care
• Human resources
• Justice
• Advocacy

This program also offers an experiential learning component that enables you to participate in the operation of Campus Conflict Resolution Services.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Complete all work in a manner consistent with professional ethics and practice, mediation process and skills, a respect for self, others, and relevant law and legislation.
• Adhere to legal and professional ethics in the practice of delivering services to de-escalate, prevent, and resolve conflict.
• Recognize and analyze conflict situations.
• Determine the nature and degree of conflict within informal and formal settings by assessing client relationships and interactions.
• Select and apply appropriate conflict resolution and negotiation skills and techniques to enable parties to prevent and/or resolve conflicts.
• Resolve differences within workplaces, communities, and families by utilizing interest-based conflict resolution skills and techniques.
• Engage in reflective practice to build skill and professional competency.
• Create and implement personal and professional development plans to achieve ongoing competence in the practice of mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution professional practice.
• Analyze and produce documents required in the practice of mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution.
• Produce documents required in the practice of conflict resolution and mediation according to industry standards.
• Collaborate with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders to enhance professional working relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues, clients, and community to enhance professional working relationships.
• Apply knowledge of specialized substantive and procedural laws as they relate to mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution.
• Work within the legal parameters and the scope of practice for conflict resolution practitioners by following relevant substantive and procedural laws.
• Utilize time management, project management, and administration skills to meet client needs.
• Utilize management and administration skills in a mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution practice.
• Conduct intake meetings to gather, screen, and disseminate information required to identify issues, uncover interests, and determine the appropriate approach for resolving differences.
• Conduct interviews to gather, screen, and disseminate information required in mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution situations.
• Facilitate discussion with clients to explore the options and associated processes for resolving family disputes.
• Explain the process, principles, techniques and significance of mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution and how they apply to family disputes.
• Contribute to collaborative discussion about the application of restorative justice principles as viable alternatives for repairing harm and restoring relationships.

Human resources (HR) professionals work in partnership with business managers to take care of the company’s largest asset – its employees. To help a business run, HR staff provide advice to department supervisors on a range of employee relations issues, design and deliver a range of programs and services focused on individual and team needs, and create company policies that support and promote a workplace culture based on fairness, equity and personal growth.

As a successful graduate of this program you will qualify for approved credit towards the academic component of the Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRP) designation granted by the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO). Students who receive and average grade of 70% in these courses and maintain a minimum grade of 65% in each course meet the coursework requirements to write the Comprehensive Knowledge Exams – a significant step towards becoming a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). 

You will acquire skills in the effective use of industry-standard software and learn from professors who are connected to the industry. As a student, you will have the opportunity to interact directly with industry professionals and to participate in hands-on learning opportunities such as case competitions and either a field placement or co-operative education (co-op) experience.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop.

Human resources (HR) professionals serve as strategic partners in today’s business environment. They work closely with management colleagues at all levels of a company on a variety of project-based and proactive initiatives. Many roles are performed by HR professionals including the following:

• Advocating on a variety of staff issues
• Developing and implementing company policies, procedures, programs and services
• Giving advice and counsel to corporate executives, line managers and employees

This program will develop your skills, knowledge and abilities in the following areas:

• Compensation management and performance appraisals
• Employee and labour relations
• HR planning and training and development
• Managerial accounting
• Occupational health and safety
• Recruitment and selection

Co-operative education (co-op):-

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning.

Students in the Business Administration – Human Resources Management Advanced Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first year of study. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive.  Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third years of their program.

Supports are available through the Co-op office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Co-op office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.

Our well-equipped microbiology, chemical analysis, product development, and food processing facilities provide our students with hands-on experience in the methods and instrumentation used in the food science, cosmetics, natural health product, and cannabis industries.  Our students learn the theory of and perform experiments mirroring industry procedures and protocols to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to work in these high-demand industries.

During placement, students have the opportunity to gain experience at partner organizations, including food manufacturers, microbiology laboratories, analytical testing facilities and ingredient suppliers.

Graduates are employed in both the public and private sectors including:

• Bakeries, confectioners, pasta and snack food manufacturers
• Brewers, winemakers and beverage manufacturers
• Dairy, meat, seafood and canning processors
• Food additives and flavour manufacturers
• Government agencies
• Packaging, ingredient, and equipment suppliers
• Consumer health products manufacturers
• Research establishments and universities
• Third party testing labs

This program has broad career prospects and a graduate may become a(n)

• Food safety technologist
• Quality assurance technologist
• Quality control technologist
• Microbiology technologist
• Food or cosmetic manufacturing technologist
• Food product development technologist
• Instrumentation technologist
• Analytical Chemist

Do you want a career in law enforcement but are not sure whether that means being a Canada Border Services officer, special constable, correctional officer, by-law officer or police officer? Join our program to learn about each of these career paths through a diverse curriculum taught by industry professionals and discover which career best suits your interests.
This program will introduce you to a diverse range of career options in law enforcement, offering a blend of academic and practical experience. A general level of fitness is required to successfully complete all of the program requirements. As a graduate, you are eligible to achieve your security guard license number.
Along with a breadth of courses, our program has embedded into the curriculum course content based on the ministry-mandated requirements for eligibility to write the provincial licensing examination for security guards in the province of Ontario as per the training standards prescribed by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act.

Why our students succeed:

• Variety of courses allows for discovery and confirmation on career choice.
• Students will engage in an Experiential Learning opportunity.
• Courses include industry guest speakers who provide insight and tips for job applications.
• Annual career fair provides opportunity to meet future employers.

In an economy that depends on finding new ways to use technology to make it easier for us to live, work and play, electronics engineering technicians maintain, operate, test, install and service electronic equipment in the fields of telecommunication, data communications and the Internet of Things (IoT), computing, industrial automation, test and measurement, power generation and distribution, health care and consumer products. The Electronics Engineering Technician program covers theory with hands-on practical experience and project-based learning of analog and digital electronic circuits and systems.

In an economy that depends on finding new ways to use technology to make it easier for us to live, work and play, Electronics is the forefront. Electronics engineering technicians maintain, operate, test, install and service electronic equipment in the fields of:

• Telecommunications
• Data Commu­nications and the Internet of Things (IoT)
• Computing hardware and software
• Industrial Automation
• Test and Measurement
• Power Genera­tion and Distribution
• Medical Equipment
• Consumer Products.

The Electronics Engineering Technician program is two years in duration, covering theory with hands-on practical experience, project-based learning of analog and digital electronic circuits and systems. Energy conservation, environmental awareness, and the global environmental movement will have an impact on you as you train to become part of the green workforce. We promote job-ready skills through leading edge instruction and hands-on practical labs that are available to you in and outside of regular class hours.