Best institutions to study Developmental Services Worker
A program that prepares individuals to apply practical knowledge and skills to support individuals with a variety of physical, mental or developmental disabilities in a family or community setting.
11 U.S. institutions graduated 78 Developmental Services Worker students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0710, a specialization of Human Development (CIP 19.07), and leads most directly to the Social and Human Service Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 21-1093).
About Developmental Services Worker programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply practical knowledge and skills to support individuals with a variety of physical, mental or developmental disabilities in a family or community setting. Includes instruction in health care, basic nutrition, pharmacology, nursing, autism, mental health, psychology, sociology, behavioral analysis, communication, intervention, counseling and community services, and developmental services, such as literacy and life skills training.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Developmental Services Worker program, part of the Human Development field, prepares individuals to support those with various physical, mental, or developmental disabilities. This program is ideal for students interested in making a positive impact in family or community settings through hands-on assistance and care.
Students will gain practical knowledge and skills in areas such as health care, nutrition, psychology, and counseling. Coursework emphasizes communication, behavioral analysis, and intervention strategies to effectively support individuals in need.
Credentials awarded
What Developmental Services Worker graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year27 graduates / yr · 4 institutions35%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate24 graduates / yr · 3 institutions31%
- Associate's degree20 graduates / yr · 3 institutions26%
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
- Master's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
Graduates over time
Developmental Services Worker completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 69 |
| 2016 | 59 |
| 2017 | 52 |
| 2018 | 54 |
| 2019 | 48 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 72 |
| 2023 | 67 |
| 2024 | 59 |
| 2025 | 78 |
Top 11 institutions for Developmental Services Worker, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Shore Community College Danvers, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 15 | 18% | — | $34,978 |
| 2 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 14 | 76% | $22,907 | — |
| 3 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 24% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 73% | — | $34,205 |
| 5 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAssociate's | 8 | 66% | — | — |
| 6 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 34% | — | — |
| 7 | Holyoke Community College Holyoke, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 29% | — | — |
| 8 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 68% | — | $45,140 |
| 9 | Great Basin College Elko, NVPublicBachelor's | 3 | 41% | — | — |
| 10 | Butler County Community College Butler, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 11 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicMaster's | 2 | 67% | — | $21,243 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Human Development field (CIP 19.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 9 states
Where Developmental Services Worker graduates come from. Each state links to all Human Development programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2 | 19 | North Shore Community College15 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 17 | Elizabethtown College14 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 10 | Connecticut State Community College10 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 9 | University of Rhode Island9 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 8 | Anoka Technical College8 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 6 | College of Staten Island CUNY6 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 4 | George Mason University4 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 3 | Great Basin College3 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 2 | Mississippi State University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1093, Social and Human Service Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Developmental Services Worker program can pursue careers as Social and Human Service Assistants or Community and Social Service Specialists. The job outlook is favorable, with a projected growth rate of 6.4% and around 50,600 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is approximately $45,120, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0710
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Human Service Assistantsprimary SOC 21-1093 | $45,930 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~50,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other SOC 21-1099 | $56,730 | +4.6% About as fast as average | ~13,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Developmental Services Worker programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
- Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
- Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
- Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
- Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
- Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
Tools and technology used
Other Human Development specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Human Development (CIP 19.07).
- Child Care Provider/CIP 19.0709
Assistant 23,628 graduates / yr397 institutions - Human Development and Family StudiesCIP 19.07019,267 graduates / yr172 institutions
- Child DevelopmentCIP 19.07064,749 graduates / yr224 institutions
- Child Care and Support Services ManagementCIP 19.07084,048 graduates / yr236 institutions
- Family and Community ServicesCIP 19.07071,706 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Family SystemsCIP 19.0704903 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Early Childhood and Family StudiesCIP 19.0711489 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.0799424 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Adult Development and AgingCIP 19.0702220 graduates / yr34 institutions
- Parent Education ServicesCIP 19.0712partial data157 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program awards credentials that typically require at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year to complete.
What types of degrees or certificates can I earn?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, an Associate's degree, or a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and monitoring, among others.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.4% and about 50,600 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Developmental Services Worker?+
Developmental Services Worker is CIP 19.0710 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Human Development (CIP 19.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply practical knowledge and skills to support individuals with a variety of physical, mental or developmental disabilities in a family or community setting. Includes instruction in health care, basic nutrition, pharmacology, nursing, autism, mental health, psychology, sociology, behavioral analysis, communication, intervention, counseling and community services, and developmental services, such as literacy and life skills training.
How many institutions offer Developmental Services Worker programs?+
11 U.S. institutions reported Developmental Services Worker graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 78 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Human Development graduates.
How much do Developmental Services Worker graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Social and Human Service Assistants occupation, which Developmental Services Worker most directly leads to, pays a median of $45,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Human Development field report median earnings of $34,978 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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