Doula Care Across the Lifespan
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Program Overview
Doulas play a vital role in supporting people through some of life’s most profound moments. As trusted, non-regulated professionals, they provide emotional, physical and informational care during major life transitions and experiences. Fanshawe’s two-year Doula Care Across the Lifespan diploma is the first program of its kind to fully integrate reproductive and end-of-life doula practice. Students gain the skills and confidence to support individuals and families through abortion, birth, postpartum, end-of-life and bereavement care while learning through a trauma-informed, client-centred lens. Building on Fanshawe’s established Doula Studies certificate, the program also offers pathway and advanced standing opportunities for graduates ready to deepen their practice and expand their career opportunities.
Program Details
Program Code
DLA2
Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
60 Weeks
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 September
London
Open
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 September
London
Open
Your Learning Experience
You will learn to support families through the full-spectrum of reproductive options, outcomes, and life transitions, from preconception, through birth, to death. The program emphasizes the doula’s role within the broader health care system, equipping you with theoretical and practical experience in advocacy, trauma-informed care, reproductive justice, and ethical client-centred practices.
Doulas are often self-employed entrepreneurs and need to promote their services in various ways. You’ll learn how to set up your own business, develop effective marketing and branding strategies, utilize social media and build inter/intra-professional collaborations.
Career Outcomes
Unique to Fanshawe’s diploma program, students will learn how to set up their own business (business plan, taxes, and scheduling), develop effective marketing and branding strategies, utilize social media and build inter/intra-professional collaborations.
Doulas may seek employment with for-profit organizations that offer full-spectrum services such as abortion, grief and loss support, or fertility treatments. Most clients are self-referred to doulas, making for a flexible career accommodating many different schedules and needs. When hiring a doula, a client will choose based on the doula's availability, the requested services, and competency. Many clients hire their doulas for different reasons: affordability, professionalism, and experience.
Learning Outcomes
During this program, you will learn to:
- Educate clients about their health care options during life transitions.
- Evaluate and apply evidence-informed practices in diverse contexts
- Cultivate community engagement to connect clients with local resources and support networks that enhance their health and well-being throughout different life stages.
- Facilitate collaboration with clients, health care teams, and communities to deliver safe and inclusive care that is affirming and aligned with the client’s vision.
- Provide responsible, accountable, and ethical care in alignment with a professional doula business.
- Apply a trauma-informed and harm reduction approach across all interactions to foster a safe environment for clients.
- Foster professional relationships to cultivate a supportive community in the field of practice.
- Advocate for comprehensive access to reproductive and end-of-life options to challenge stigmatization and discrimination and work towards dismantling patterns of oppression.
- Develop strategies that lead to lifelong learning and self-care through critical reflection, ensuring doulas remain informed, resilient, and effective in their support of clients.
- Learn about Indigenous practices and ways of knowing to support clients, families and communities during birth, life and death in a culturally safe manner.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.