Developmental Disabilities Direct Support Certificate (DSC)

Type: Career, Certificate (C1)

Open Admissions

Division: Health and Human Services

Graduates from this certificate program find challenging jobs in recreational, residential, vocational, and educational programs working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. Students combine academic course work with field placements at local agencies to develop the personal and professional skills necessary for successful employment.

The 21 credits can be transferred directly into the Associate Degree in Developmental Disabilities at NSCC or to other colleges.

Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.

If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.

If you have program advising related questions, please contact developmentaldisabilities@northshore.edu or call 781-477-2150.

Total Credit Hours: 21

• Demonstrate an understanding of developmental and intellectual disabilities, including diagnosis and lifelong impact.
• Recognize research based methodology and effective treatments/therapies when working with individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and other caregivers.
• Utilize a strength based, resilience and humanistic perspective to empower individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
• Assess, critique, and improve work and application of Individual Support and Behavioral Support Plans necessary to be effective in disabilities services
• Develop professional ethical standards.
• Identify, evaluate and utilize effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of diversity; how to provide ethical and culturally sensitive care