Program Overview
Doulas are self-governing professionals who provide emotional, physical, and informational support across life’s most significant transitions. This two-year diploma is the first of its kind to fully integrate reproductive and end-of-life doula practice, preparing graduates to support individuals and families from first to last breath, including abortion, birth, post-partum, end-of-life and bereavement. The program builds on Fanshawe’s existing Doula Studies certificate, offering a pathway or advanced standing into this diploma
Program Details
Program Code
DLA2
Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
60 Weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 September
London
Open
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
Doulas work in many health care and community spaces (e.g. drop-in parenting centres, massage therapy clinics) supporting clients. Doulas promote themselves and their services in various ways (e.g., social media, health fairs, professional networking events), and participate on various committees and policy working groups at the provincial and federal level. 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 also 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.
Further, Ontario is experiencing an ageing population who are often living with chronic, comorbid conditions. End-of-life or death doulas are an emerging role that has seen an explosion in demand within the past decade. This is due in part to increasing public awareness and interest as individuals and families seek alternatives and choices in planning their end-of-life journey.
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.
Admission Requirements
OSSD (with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (M), or Open (O) stream), or equivalent, or mature applicant.
Students who do not have a high school diploma may wish to consider taking the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) grade 12 Equivalency Certificate.
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.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
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 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic 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. SDS Program Requirements.
- 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, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Any Grade 12 English (C), (U), or (O)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 Health Care (C) OR Grade 12 Human Development
Throughout the Lifespan (M)
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
- Knowledge of and interest in working with pregnant people, women, children and families across the full spectrum of reproductive options.
- Development of personal responsibility and emotional maturity by participating in social organizations interested in helping people using the principles of social justice and trauma informed care.
- Willingness to collaborate with others in the delivery of family-centred maternity care in collaboration with members of the health care team
- Show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contribution of others
- Ability to effectively communicate in conversational English
- Up to date immunizations and TB testing
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
The following items are applicable to the program and are time
sensitive. Please refer to www.fanshawec.ca/preplacement for
important information about preparing for placement by the due
date.
- Possession of a Standard First Aid course certificate (either St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross or equivalent)
- Basic Rescuer course certificate - Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers (HCP) in accordance with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Canadian Guidelines for CPR
- Evidence of Good Health
- Up to date immunizations are required
- Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening, including a check of the Pardoned Sexual Offenders Database
- Privacy and Confidentiality Agreement
- Travel to practicum placements and site visits at the student's own expense will be required
- Guide to Completing your Professional Practice Requirements
- Pre-Placement Process
- Professional Practice Health Form
- Placement Agreement
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| HLTH-1230 | Historical Context-Reproductive Culture | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to the historical, cultural and situational factors influencing reproduction locally and around the world. Students will examine from multiple perspectives the influences and consequences of the medicalization of birth on maternal and newborn outcomes. Course content will also critically reflect on the emergence of the professional doula and the regulation of midwifery care within North America. | ||||
| HLTH-1231 | Anatomy & Physiology of Reproduction | 3 | ||
| This course introduces basic anatomical and physiological concepts related to reproduction. Topics will include embryology, anatomy, physiology, endocrinology, immunology and basic medical terminology. | ||||
| HLTH-1232 | Preparing for Birth 1 | 3 | ||
| This course examines pregnancy and the process of labour and birth for the labouring person, partner and doula. Students begin to learn how to accompany families throughout pregnancy, labour and birth. | ||||
| HLTH-1233 | Postpartum 1 | 3 | ||
| This course focuses on identifying the needs of new families as they transition into the postpartum period. Cultural context of newborn care and socio environmental space of the family are examined. Skills, strategies and resources to become responsive to the emerging needs of families in transition are developed. | ||||
| HLTH-1234 | Self & Others | 3 | ||
| This course focuses on understanding interpersonal relationships in order to effectively navigate the complex and multidimensional world of the health care system. Students critically explore their personal beliefs, values and assumptions, about themselves as part of a family, culture and different communities. This course enhances interpersonal communication as the learner becomes more self-reflective, learning to nurture supportive relationships while setting professional boundaries. | ||||
| WRIT-1048 | Reason & Writing 1 for Health Sciences | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce health sciences students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| HLTH-1236 | Practicum 1 | 3 | ||
| First term practicum enables students to develop an understanding of breadth and depth of the role of the doula. Throughout the course, students are assigned different observational and practical experiences. They have opportunities to attend community placements with a variety of practitioners who engage with families during the perinatal period. They begin to apply the concepts learned in the classroom to the practical environment. Placements are comprised of a combination of in home, institution, community, classroom and lab based experiences. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London
[1] Total program costs are approximate and subject to change. They do not include additional fees such as the health and dental plan, bus pass, or general expenses. Learn more about ancillary and additional fees.