Ontario College Certificate in Doula Studies

Doulas fulfill an important role as a trusted source of information with emotional and physical support before, during and after childbirth. Fanshawe's innovative Doula Studies certificate program, the first-of-its-kind in Ontario, takes an evidence-informed and reproductive justice approach to doula training to prepare graduates for a rewarding career supporting families across their reproductive journey.
Students will develop the specialized knowledge, skills and experience to grow their ethical, culturally safe and client-centred doula practice.
You’ll begin by studying anatomy and physiology, as well as the emotional, physical and cultural aspects of pregnancy and birth required to provide families with information and support during pregnancy, childbirth newborn care, and loss. You’ll also be introduced to business managemententrepreneurship concepts and strategies, including business ethics, contracts, marketing and sales techniques and personal financial management.
The Doula Studies program also hosts a series of free, weekly community drop-in sessions for new and expectant parents. Guided by our expert faculty, the sessions are a great learning experience for our students to provide childbirth education, feeding support, infant care questions and more. As unregulated health care professionals, a doula’s role involves advocacy, education, counselling, collaboration and negotiation to provide physical, emotional and informational support to individuals and families across the full spectrum of their reproductive choices.
Delivered over two 15-week terms, the Doula Studies program offers hands-on experience and an evidence-informed curriculum that emphasizes the dynamic role of the doula supporting people within a complex and multi-dimensional health care system and communities to prepare graduates for a rewarding career collaborating with health care teams.

OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),
University/College (M), or Open (O) stream
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
OR
Mature applicant with appropriate preparation

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:

• A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 550 for the paper-based test (PBT), or 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test with an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
• Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 53, with test results within the last two years
• A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than 162