Program Details

Special Care Counselling

Diploma of College Studies (DCS)
Joyful Playtime

About the Program

Join LaSalle College Montréal's Special Care Counselling program and acquire the tools needed to carry out appropriate interventions in terms of adaptation, education, and rehabilitation through collaboration with professionals like teachers, psychologists, and occupational therapists.

Get hands-on experience in the workplace through practical workshops, professional internships, and pre-graduation projects.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop practical counselling skills to effectively support individuals with special needs.
  • Acquire knowledge of various disabilities and their impact on individuals' lives.
  • Enhance communication to facilitate therapeutic relationships with clients.
  • Gain an understanding of ethical and legal considerations in special care counselling.

Profile

Successful Special Care Counsellors have a unique combination of skills, including:

  • Empathy

    Create a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
  • Active Listening

    Understand the experiences and emotions of individuals with special needs.
  • Patience

    Display resilience with individuals who may require support to express themselves.
  • Collaboration

    Work with interdisciplinary teams, families, and support networks to provide holistic care.

Career Prospects

Québec's outlook in this field is promising. The "Opération main-d’œuvre" was launched in 2021 due to high demand.

According to the Government of Québecthe province was ranked 5th for future prospects, with an 85% placement rate.

Québec is also expecting full-time job openings due to retiring professionals.

Career Fields

Special Care Counsellors can work in different environments:

  • Public organizations (governmental), including health and social services (youth centers, CLSCs, hospitals, CHSLDs, etc.) and education (regular and specialized schools),
  • Community organizations,
  • Private organizations, or
  • Be self-employed.

Diploma & Accreditation

This Diploma of College Studies (DCS) is approved by the ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur of Québec and is internationally recognized.

Holders of a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) can pursue university studies or enter the workforce directly.

Prerequisites

Proof of eligibility might be requested for internships. A background check is necessary. This request will be made by the College.

Proof of up-to-date basic immunization might be requested as an internship requirement:

  • Diphtheria,
  • Poliomyelitis,
  • Tetanus,
  • Rubella,
  • Mumps,
  • Measles,
  • and others, if needed.

Required Materials

A laptop computer is mandatory for study in this program. This laptop must be equipped with the Windows operating system to work with all software.

Mentors may request other standard or student-licensed software mandatory for their courses to be installed.

Learn more about the benefits

It has been determined that a Windows PC is required for your program. If you plan to use a Mac, you may need to configure your Mac laptop to run software on Windows.

Minimum Requirements :

  • Intel Core i5 processor or equivalent  
  • 8 GB of RAM or more  
  • 512 GB or larger SSD (Solid State Drive)  
  • Windows 11 (Home, Education, or Pro versions).  

Recommended Requirements

  • Intel Core i7 processor or equivalent  
  • 12 GB of RAM or more  
  • 512 GB or larger SSD (Solid State Drive)  
  • Windows 11 (Home, Education, or Pro versions).  
Elderly Woman with Caregiver

Opportunities

Our unique approach incorporates real-world experience with classroom learning for a hands-on, practical education.

  • Collaborate with active industry professionals;
  • Sharpen skills in a practical setting;
  • Observe real interaction between professionals and children at our very own daycare centre.

Accelerate your career! 

Cutting-edge facilities & equipment

Experiment with cutting-edge, industry-standard equipment, software, and technology in our advanced facilities, including:

Actively participate and collaborate with teachers using these specialized facilities, boosting your motivation and confidence.

Work Experience

Get sought-after practical experience with our Career Service, open-doors daycare centre, and Work-Study Program (WSP), which incorporates two paid internships into your program.

Our Special Care Counselling program also includes three (3) internships as part of the curriculum:

  • Initiation to Intervention (180 hours),
  • Intervention Experimentation (210 hours),
  • Intervention Process (465 hours).

Admissions Criteria

Exceptions to these admission criteria may be applied.

Every application is reviewed by the College.

To be eligible for acceptance into this program, applicants are generally required to meet one of the following criteria:

  • Secondary School Diploma (DES).

  • Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) with completion of:

    • Language of Instruction from Secondary V,

    • Second Language from Secondary V,

    • Mathematics from Secondary IV.

  • Equivalent education or an instruction deemed sufficient.

Academic Dates

LaSalle College has three annual start dates: fall, winter, and summer.

We accept applications at any time. Registration is open year-round.

Processing time:

  • Canadian applicants: up to two weeks,
  • International applicants: up to six months.

Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure a spot in your desired semester.

Note that applications are not processed until all required, validated documents and admission fees are received.

List of Courses

Diploma of College Studies (DCS) programs consist of:

  • General education courses common to all programs,
  • General education courses specific to the program,
  • Complementary general education courses.

Concentration Courses

  • Special Care Counseling Profession (45 h)
  • Intervention Process 1 : Observation (45 h)
  • Health and Professional Integrity (45 h)
  • Child Psychology in Special Care Counseling (45 h)
  • Adaptation Process (45 h)
  • Preparation for Internships (45 h)
  • Communication Skills in Special Care Counseling (45 h)
  • Intervention Process 2 : Introduction to the Helping Relationship (45 h)
  • Adolescence Psychology in Special Care Counseling (45 h)
  • Planning and Leading Activities 1 (60 h)
  • Learning Challenges (60 h)
  • Intercultural Approach : Initiation (45 h)
  • Youth with Adaptation Difficulties (45 h)
  • Intervention Process 3 : Approaches and Techniques in Special Care Counseling (60 h)
  • Adult Psychology in Special Sare Counseling (45 h)
  • Planning and Leading Activities 2 (45 h)
  • Internship 1 : Initiation to Intervention (180 h)
  • Helping Skills in a Crisis Context (45 h)
  • Addictions (45 h)
  • Intervention Process 4 : Intervention Plan (45 h)
  • Internship 2 : Intervention Experimentation (210 h)
  • Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (60 h)
  • Psychopathologies (45 h)
  • Aging Process (45 h)
  • Physical and Neurological Disabilities (45 h)
  • Violence and Victimology (45 h)
  • Interventions for Families (45 h)
  • Intercultural Approach : Intervention (45 h)
  • Contemporary Ethical and Political Issues (45 h)
  • Internship 3 : Intervention Process (465 h)

* The College reserves the right to substitute certain courses.


General Education Courses

College-level institutions emphasize general education that focuses on core cultural knowledge, skill development, responsible citizenship, and shared cultural heritage.

Alumni have a well-rounded skill set and general knowledge that is valued in the workplace.

  • 3 Physical Education courses (90 h)
  • 3 Philosophy courses (150 h)
  • 4 Language and Literature courses (240 h)
  • 2 Second Language courses (90 h)
  • 2 Complementary courses (90 h)

Got questions?

We're here to help!
Leave your contact information and we'll get back to you.

1
2
3

Open House | Salle Jean-Paul-Morin (2nd floor), LaSalle College

Open House

Discover why, every year, thousands of students choose LaSalle College to achieve their dreams.
  • November 2, 2024
  • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM