Program Overview
Getting started
Is this program right for me?
What are the career and job prospects?
What do employers think about this program?
I'm returning to school after several years and am concerned about the academic work. Is there any support?
I am trained and working in the field. Can I get college credits for my experience?
How does the part-time option work?
Why take the Douglas program compared to shorter programs offered at some private institutions?
About the program
What is the difference between the certificate and diploma options?
What is the difference between the 3 program options?
What courses will I take?
What's a practicum?
Can I get university transfer credits in this program?
Is this program right for me?
Students who succeed in this field have these qualities:
- Curious and caring, with clear values and a respect for all individuals
- Have a desire to promote the development of inclusive communities
- Dedicated, mature, flexible, creative with a sense of fun
- Excellent career prospects in all areas
- Most students are offered a job before graduation
- Work in early intervention programs, schools, community agencies and post-secondary institutions
- Behavioural Interventionist grads work one-on-one with children with autism and their families
- Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis (DABA) graduates are in very high demand as assistant behaviour consultants supporting children with autism
- DABA also qualifies certified K-12 teachers for higher pay rates .
"Douglas College graduates and practicum students come to Community Ventures Society well prepared to support program participants as they move to become contributing citizens in our community. Your students and graduates bring high levels of skill and commitment to the values and goals of the Community Living movement."
Mike Keating
Executive Director
Community Ventures Society
"When it comes to the selection of suitable candidates applying for the training facilitator's position, we always consider graduates from the Classroom and Community Support program first.
Why? Simply because of their excellent educational background and job preparation.
The CCS graduates demonstrate solid knowledge and skills required in this professional field. Their competence, motivation, and dedication in their work is exemplary. How do we know? Because most of our BOE staff are CCS graduates!"
Dana Sova
Coordinator/Faculty
BOE Program, Douglas College
"We automatically short list Douglas College CCS grads because of their proven high quality support to students in our district. When I interview applicants for Special Education Assistant (SEA) positions, Douglas College CCS grads stand out in a class on their own."
Diane Halkett
District Administrator of Special Education
New Westminster School District #40
I'm returning to school after several years and am concerned about the academic work. Is there any support?
We admit students each year with the same kind of concern. Generally mature students do better than they did when they were last in school. Your life experiences help you get involved with the course material. You will probably find you are much more focused and excited about learning than you were previously. And if you do need extra support, there is a course that runs in the Fall called DVST 0356 provides excellent assistance to students every semester.
I am working in the field. Can I get college credits for my experience?
The Classroom and Community Support Department offers an internationally recognized Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition service (PLAR) which allows you to "challenge" up to 75% of our programs for college credits based on your experience. With our Flex-Track Options you only take the courses you need to complete your education.
How does the part-time option work?
The Behavioural Interventionist program and the Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis program are both offered on a part-time basis. The Classroom and Community Support (CCS) program has a full-time and two part-time options:
- The CCS Part-Time Cohort accepts 10-15 applicants each Fall. Students go through the program together as a group. You must take at least two and preferably three assigned evening courses in each of the Fall, Winter and Summer semesters.
- The CCS Part Time Flexible Model is for Flex-track students who have received transfer and/or prior learning assessment credits and are completing the program on an individual basis.
Why take the Douglas program compared to shorter programs offered at some private institutions?
The Douglas program offers several major benefits. Private programs generally cost more and do not have the same wide range of job options and course-transfer opportunities. Also, many employers are linked to our program and prefer our graduates.
What is the difference between the certificate and diploma options?
About 90% of our graduates complete the full 60-credit diploma compared to the 45-credit certificate. Employers prefer diploma graduates and the diploma provides a block transfer into several related university degrees.
What is the difference between the 3 program options?
Classroom and Community Support graduates work with people with disabilities in schools, community agencies and other settings. Students complete a 60-credit diploma or 45-credit certificate
Behaviourial Interventionist graduates work one-on-one with children with Autism and their families. Students complete an 18-credit citation.
Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis: Advanced Citation graduates are specialists in applied behavior analysis with a focus on autism.This is a great option for K-12 teachers who want to enhance their skills and work towards a higher pay level; also a required step for behaviour consultants and other professionals towards becoming BACB ® Certified Assistant Behaviour Analysts. Qualified education, health and human services professional complete a 15-credit citation.
What courses will I take ?
You will acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to assist our communities to include everyone regardless of ability. Courses cover family support, community living, group and interpersonal skills, critical thinking, problem solving, ethical practice, advocacy, teaching techniques, augmentative communication, supported employment and providing personal care. You will take selected courses with all the students in Child, Family and Community Studies Department. See our course-by-course curriculum.
What's a practicum?
A practicum is a supervised worksite placement that allows you to apply your classroom learning, gain valuable experience and job contacts. Placements are selected based on your interests and learning needs, subject to available sites.
Yes, the CCS diploma block transfers into several university degrees
- Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Service - Athabasca University
- Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation - University of Calgary
- Bachlor of Arts in Child an Youth Care - Douglas College, University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, University of the Fraser Valley
- Bachelor of Adult Education - University of the Fraser Valley
- Bachelor of Disability Studies - Ryerson University