Disability Support Professional

Overview

Our Disability Support Professional program gives you the skills to support individuals with disabilities and remove barriers for people to support them in maximizing their strengths and full potential.

You learn:

• How to apply a social model of disability, and a human-rights based approach to address barriers and support community inclusion
• Knowledge of various disabilities and specific strategies for supporting  people with these disabilities
• The philosophy and skills you need to help your clients live a self-determined life
• An understanding of your professional, legal and ethical responsibilities as a direct support  professional in this field
• How to work effectively in teams by increasing self-awareness and practicing effective communication skills

Work experience

• Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks, with two separate practicums throughout the program.
  • Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience courses are your responsibility.
• For more information, visit work experience opportunities.
• International students - all international students require a co-op work permit; you can't complete your NSCC program without one. This program also requires a medical exam to receive your co-op work permit. View co-op work permit - medical exam details.

Choose NSCC

• You  meet the standards, receive the competencies and skills required by the Nova Scotia Department of Opportunities and Social Development to work within the disability supports and services field.
• You benefit from our expert faculty, who bring years of experience to the classroom and strong connections to the community.
• Hands-on, community-based learning is a cornerstone of the program.

Other info

• Employers in this sector require one or all of the following as part of the hiring process: a current, official criminal record check and vulnerable sector check and a child abuse register check. A conviction or finding in family court may impact your ability to secure employment.
• In this industry, some positions may require you to work shift work including evenings, nights and weekends.
• This role may be physically demanding and include moving and lifting others as well as spending long periods of time on your feet.

September 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Kingstec Campus Kentville	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Lunenburg Campus Bridgewater	Part time	Blended flex Delivered through a combination of online and in-person classes. Less than 50% of learning occurs in-person.	Seats available
Sydney Waterfront Campus Sydney	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View document and language requirements by country

Program requirements

• A current, official criminal record check and vulnerable sector check are required to complete work placements in many programs. A conviction may impact your ability to complete program requirements.
• All programs in Health and Human Services require First Aid/CPR as a graduation requirement. For specific program requirements, view additional Health and Human Services program requirements
• Many Health and Human Services programs have additional requirements, including immunizations. Some work placements require immunizations for which you may be asked to show proof. View additional Health and Human Services program requirements
  • Receiving immunizations may take up to 10 months to complete.
  • Failure to complete immunizations can result in a delayed work placement, which will impact your ability to complete program and graduation requirements.
• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2024-25 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

You are eligible for a bursary that covers tuition, textbooks and student fees, if you are a Canadian or permanent resident, and agree to work with Nova Scotia's Department of Community Services’ Disability Support Professional Program for one year upon graduation. Further details are provided after successful admissions to the program.

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Disability Support Professional
  
• Disability Support Professional - Part time - Year 1
• Disability Support Professional - Part time - Year 2

Career options

• Employment options include a variety of ways to help people live full and enriched lives such as: Working with persons with disabilities to enhance their physical, emotional and psychological well-being
  • Supporting and empowering people in maximizing their strengths and achieving their goals
  • Playing an important role in removing barriers to inclusion
• Graduates find employment by:
  • Supporting individuals in community such as  small options homes or other residential options
  • Working with individuals in community and independent living settings
  • Helping individuals in vocational centres or with employment supports
  • Supporting individuals in areas of education and recreation/leisure

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

DSPC 1016 - Writing and Professional Skills
This course provides the student with an overview of the professional skills, including written and verbal communication, required by the Disability Support Sector. Students will learn to apply these professional skills using real life applications.

DSPC 1030 - Understanding Behaviour
In this course, students will be introduced to the ways in which the brain and nervous system influence behaviour and will explore the intersection of these components of behaviour with setting events, environment, mental health, communication, sexuality and medications. An emphasis is placed on identifying the “why” behind behaviour. Students will explore how they influence the behaviour of others. Further emphasis will be on ethical behaviour support, including topics such as, power, control, empowerment, consent and use of restraints. Students will also be introduced to forms of behavioural assessment and assessment tools. Professional responsibility in confidentiality and documentation are discussed.

DSPC 1040 - Behaviour Strategies
In this course, students will become skilled in current behavioural support models and practices. Students will learn crisis management skills and examine several approaches to behavioural support they will adopt as a Disability Support Professional. Specific behavioural support strategies within each of these models will be learned and applied.

DSPC 1055 - Implementing Person-Directed Planning
In this course, students will identify ways they will implement person-directed support into their daily practice. Students will learn to assess their team and identify their, and others’, roles within it. They will problem solve common barriers to implementing person-directed care in their workplace. They will also identify how they will implement their learning from the program into daily practice.

DSPC 2016 - Professional Practice
Students examine and apply their personal values in the context of their professional obligations and ethical standards. Topics such as diversity, cultural humility and competence, ethics, power and privilege, and allyship, are explored from a self-assessment perspective.

DSPC 2019 - Medication and Drug Awareness
This course introduces the student to prescription and over the counter drugs. Students will gain an understanding of the effects of medications and apply that understanding to person-directed planning. Drug interactions, reactions, support strategies and documentation in community settings are described in the context of disability supports and services field.

DSPC 2020 - Practicum l
This first practicum provides students with an opportunity to apply classroom theory and skills in the field of disability supports. Students will integrate the knowledge and skills acquired in the program in the context of the disability supports and services field. Throughout the practicum, the student will engage in skills based self-evaluation to plan opportunities for professional growth.

DSPC 2030 - Practicum ll
This placement provides students with an opportunity for synthesis and application of knowledge, skills and competencies identified in their program outcomes. Students will apply the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired in the program, demonstrating a human rights, person-directed and trauma informed approach to the support of people with disabilities. Throughout the practicum, the student will engage in skills based self-evaluation to plan opportunities for professional growth.

DSSP 1010 - Foundations of Inclusive Practice
The content of this course is based on the concept of full citizenship as outlined in the principles of the present UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The historical, present and future applications of disability support will be explored. Students will learn about legislature, policies and programs related to inclusion, the practice of reciprocity and full citizenship for children and adults living with disabilities. Local programs and services will be explored in the context of developing a strong foundational knowledge of the disability support field.

DSSP 1012 - Introduction to Disabilities
This course introduces the learner to neurodevelopmental disorders including: intellectual, developmental and physical/disease related disabilities across the life span. Learners will also identify the common barriers experienced by persons living with disabilities and exploring support strategies that encourage independence.

DSSP 1014 - Interpersonal Skills
This course introduces the learner to effective interpersonal communication. Effective communication is examined as a process and a skill. Factors that influence effective communication are considered. The necessity of a positive attitude is examined as well as the importance of empathy in a service-based relationship. The course provides the learner with the necessary communication skills to work effectively as a member of the support team. The learner will explore relationship building and maintenance skills, building working relationships, and managing relationship conflict.

DSSP 1015 - Principles of Learning I
Students will be introduced to behavioural terminology and the principles of learning. Students will learn and apply behavioural strategies that support empowerment using a multidisciplinary approach.

DSSP 1020 - Supporting Activities of Daily Living
Using the philosophical foundations of disability support, this course will prepare students to safely support individuals in activities of daily living and personal care following a person-directed approach.

DSSP 2014 - Assistive Technologies and Communication Strategies
This course examines various assistive technologies and alternative communication strategies used in supporting individuals.

DSSP 2015 - Principles of Learning II
Students will develop, apply and evaluate a variety of behavioural change strategies for individuals with disabilities in a wide range of settings. Students will be able to support, implement, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural supports programs within their scope of practice utilizing an interdisciplinary approach.

DSSP 2017 - Nutrition and Meal Preparation
Learners will gain an understanding of basic nutrition in order to promote a healthy lifestyle for the persons they support. Learners will develop skills in supporting others in cooking, budgeting and meal planning. Special dietary needs as well as feeding procedures will also be explored.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.