Program Details
This Program is offered at the following campus locations: Fort St. John
Description:
The need for well trained Education Assistants (EA) in British Columbia schools is increasing, as all children and youths with special requirements are now included in regular elementary and secondary classrooms. Education Assistants have proven to be effective in working with the individualized education delivery models now being employed in the schools. Under the supervision of classroom teachers, Education Assistants carry out a wide range of functions, including providing support to a particular student or to the class as a whole.
The program has been developed with the following guiding principles:
- A child centered philosophy should enhance program content. Thus, all courses in the Education Assistant program have been designed to contribute to the assistant's ability to enhance the child's involvement in the educational environment.
- Education Assistants require training and education which provides theory, develops competency in required skills, and promotes professional development.
Certification: Certificate in Education Assistant
Program Contact: Kathy Handley or ECE Department
Dean: Steve Roe
Admission Requirements:
All applicants will need to complete and submit:
- Northern Lights College application specifying entrance to the Education Assistant Certificate program and applicable application fee
- A comprehensive letter stating your background, interest, and goals for taking the Education Assistant Certificate Program
- Two current letters of reference (must be written and dated within the last year) one must be from a recent employer and one personal (from a non-family member preferably attesting to the applicant's suitability for working with children and youth)
- A current certificate of good health from your doctor (form included in application package on website)
- Proof of high school completion, or equivalent. Mature students lacking high school completion may be considered for admission.
- Successful completion of grade 12 English, or BC Grade 12 English First Peoples with a grade of C (60%) or better
OR
A total language score of grade 12 or higher on the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT)
- Official Transcripts from all previous post secondary institutions attended
*Official transcripts are sealed by the sending institute. They must be received by the Human Development and Education Care (HDEC) Department in unopened (sealed) condition.
Secondary School Dual Credit Students will additionally need to submit:
- Copy of dual credit application completed at local secondary school
- Documented evidence of successful grade 11 completion
Note: A Criminal Record Check is not a program admission requirement, but students will be required to authorize a Solicitor General's Criminal Record Check (SG/CRC) before participating in any practica involving children. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to begin workplace practica with children until a SG/CRC has been received and reviewed by NLC. Convictions for certain offences may disqualify students from participating in course practica and, therefore, from program completion. Students will be provided with more information about the SG/CRC process at program orientations. SG/CRC searches can take from 3 to 6 weeks for completion, so students are urged to attend to this matter at least 6 weeks before the program start date. Further, students are obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize an SG/CRC but are still enrolled in the Education Assistant program. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
CRC Consent Form
CRC Credit Card form
Program Length (Weeks): 12 months full-time or part-time over two or more years
Program Length (Hours): 585 theory course hours + 290 practica hours = 875 hours
Program Intake Start:
Full-time - 12 month, September and January
Part-time - May begin the program in September, January or April
Available Seats: Based on Capacity
Application Deadline:
May 1 for Fall (September) Admission; October 1 for Winter (January) Admission and February 1 for Spring (April) Admission
Career Prospects:
Qualified Education Assistants are employed in public, private and independent schools around the province. Graduates of the Northern Lights College Education Assistant program may seek a variety of positions in elementary and secondary education settings including Special Needs Support Worker, Personal Care Attendant, and Playground and/or School Supervision Monitor. Education Assistants may be employed to provide support to children with varying levels of special needs or they may provide general support to Classroom Teachers in the delivery of educational programs to a number of children or the entire class.
Students are encouraged to research employment prospects for Education Assistants in their community and local School Districts prior to applying into the program.
Affiliations: N/A
Additional Requirements and Supplies:
- Instructor Related Fees
- Textbooks: Costs vary
- Publishing Royalties (readings): Costs vary
- EA students must obtain a Criminal Record Check through the local RCMP detachment, and provide a copy to the School District Administration, local private school or independent School where the student will be completing a practicum.
Eligibility for Canada Student Loans: Yes
Visit
StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.
Required Minimum Grade: 60% or a 'C' in each course
Residency Requirements: 25%
Location:
Distributed delivery - the entire program is completed through distance education using a blended model including online and teleconference modes of delivery.
Students complete practica within their own communities provided the options exist for acceptable placements. Students unable to locate suitable practicum placements in their own community, may need to relocate to another community for one or more of the practica.
Face-to-face offerings are available within the Northern Lights College Region (contingent on student enrollment or special project offering).
View the Education Assistant Admissions Page
Courses:
Core Courses:
Specialty Courses:
Practicum Courses: