Employment and Community Studies

Have a Question?

Employment and Community Studies (EACS) Program

(formerly known as the Access Programs for People with Disabilities)

The EACS Program is designed for students with diverse learning needs that hinder educational success.

The courses and learning experiences in our program will prepare students for lifelong learning, employment, and community engagement opportunities.  Students will participate in hands-on and work-integrated learning opportunities.

Here are our courses that are currently offered.  For further information about each course visit the University Calendar here for EACS Curricular Requirements :

  • EACS 0010  Employability Skills
  • EACS 0020  Career Exploration
  • EACS 0021  Work Experience
  • EACS 0022  Introduction to Disability Rights
  • EACS 0023  Social Justice in Action

Within each of these courses we focus on employability, social justice, communication, advocacy and technology.

  Read about one of our students.

*EACS falls under the mandate of Adult Special Education (ASE).

EACS Information Sessions

Required for all potential applicants

Attendance at one of our EACS Information Sessions is the best place to get your questions answered.

As this is the first step in the application process we recommend that the potential student and anyone else who will be interested in supporting a student attend one of our EACS Information Sessions.  We offer both virtual information sessions and in-person sessions.  Please click on the link below "Attend Info Session" to find out when and where they will be hosted.

NEW INFORMATION SESSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.  REGISTER BELOW.

It is important that you do not delay in attending an Information Session as there are four other important application steps to be taken following attendance, and these may take time to complete.

Fall 2024 Applications are now being accepted.

If you have further questions following the info session, call either our Access Programs Department Assistant, Malvis Okika at 604-599-3095 or email us at apd@kpu.ca . You can also contact our the Future Students Office at 604-599-3030, or connect directly with the Student Recruitment Coordinator, Brooks Lewis at 604-599-3101, brooks.lewis@kpu.ca who can help you with other course enquiries.

Attend Info Session

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in KPU’s Employment and Community Studies (EACS) Program listed below are answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Who can attend the EACS program?

EACS is open for students with diverse learning needs that hinder educational success, and who meet the admission requirements for this program.

Can I attend part-time?

Yes, the EACS courses can be taken independently.

How many students does EACS take a semester?

Each class may have up to 12 students, except the EACS 0021 Work Experience course which accepts up to 16 students per section.. The number of classes will vary in each semester both online or on campus.

What are the entrance requirements for EACS?

Attend an EACS Program Information Session (in-person or online)

Interview with one of our program instructors to determine:

  • Fit for the academic program
  • Satisfactory English ability as assessed according to departmental guidelines

What are the departmental guidelines?

  • Able to travel in community independently
  • Able to navigate the university campus independently
  • Able to complete assignments and activities
  • Able to use email and course learning platforms (e.g. Moodle, Pebble Pad, Zoom)
  • Able to understand and respond to directions and questions

What is the cost for the program?

  • If you wish to take 15 credits to achieve a Citation (Certificate) in the Employment & Community Studies (EACS) Program, tuition fees are approximately $2,800.
  • Base Tuition fees for a 3-credit course are approximately $560 and a 6-credit course is approximately $1,120.
  • Additional Student fees are also charged.  See KPU's Tuition Estimator link.

Please note that you are only required to pay for the courses that you are registered into for the semester that you are taking. Our courses are classified as "upgrading courses", so you may be eligible to be approved for the Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG) which will cover all your tuition fees. We can help you apply for this AUG grant if you wish to apply.

What funding is available for this program?

Eligible students have access to the Adult Upgrading Grant to cover program fees.  The Student Awards and Financial Services Department and the Access Programs Department will assist in the student's application.

How do I apply?

Step 1 - Attend an EACS Information Session

Step 2 - Apply to KPU for the Employment & Community Studies Program - you will receive instructions once you have attended an EACS Information Session

Step 3 - Once you have applied you will receive an invitation to attend an interview with one of our EACS instructors - it more like a conversation to check that this program is a good fit for the student.

Step 4 - If accepted, then the Admissions Department will contact you to let you know of a deadline date to either:

  • Pay a $500 Confirmation Deposit     OR
  • Apply for the Adult Upgrading Grant to cover all your tuition fees - we will be sending you instructions on how to do either of these tasks

Step 5 - Students will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar informing when they can register for their classes

              We will send you instructions on how to register online or you can contact Student Enrolment Services at 604.599.2000 Option 2 Option 4 Option 2

YOU ARE NOW READY TO START CLASSES!

What are the employment opportunities after completing the EACS program?

Through this program students will gain knowledge that will strengthen their employability skills. They may have the opportunity to complete a work experience in one or two of these areas:

  • Community Service
  • Retail and Customer Service
  • Personal Service – ex. Child care
  • Manufacturing and Warehouse Service
  • Restaurant and Food Service
  • Business and Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Landscaping and Gardening

If I need more information, whom do I contact?

If you have further questions following attending one of our EACS Information Sessions, please call either our Access Programs Department Assistant, Malvis Okika at 604-599-3095, apd@kpu.ca or the Future Students Office at 604-599-3030, or connect directly with the Student Recruitment Coordinator, Brooks Lewis at 604-599-3101, brooks.lewis@kpu.ca

How do I register for my courses?

Successful applicants will receive an email from KPU letting them know when they can register for their courses. The Access Programs Department will assist with registration if needed. Or you can go to the KPU.ca website and select the Registration Guide https://www.kpu.ca/registration

Can I withdraw from my program?

KPU has a policy and procedure for anyone wishing to withdraw from their program.

Do I need textbooks?

Our Employment & Community Studies (EACS) Program seeks to reduce any financial barriers that our students may face and so no, our EACS courses do not require textbooks.

Career Outcomes

Through the EACS program students will gain knowledge that will strengthen their abilities and possibilities for lifelong learning, employment, and community engagement in, for example:

  • Community Service Retail and Customer
  • Service Personal
  • Service Manufacturing and Warehouse Service
  • Restaurant and Food Service
  • Business and Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Volunteerism
  • Further training and coursework

Program Details

Since 1981 KPU has offered an Accessible Education and Training (AET) (formerly known as Adult Special Education (ASE)) program focused on employability skill development and career exploration. The former program was called Access Program for People with Disabilities. Every year over 60 APPD students have taken either – Job Preparation, Work Exploration, or Vocational Skills Training.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic this hands-on experiential program moved to operate online. This change made it possible to redesign how ASE was offered. EACS is the new program, still with a focus on employability skill development but with a broader range of courses that focus on lifelong learning and community engagement as well.

We now offer both on-campus courses at three of our KPU campuses:  Langley, Richmond and Surrey and some online courses.

Program Flyer Program Overview

Application Information

  • Step 1 - Attend an EACS Program Information Session (REQUIRED)
  • Step 2A – Request a chat with an EACS instructor
  • OR
  • Step 2B – Apply online to KPU for the EACS Program 
  • Step 3 – Attend a Program Interview with an EACS instructor
  • Step 4 – Receive an Offer of Admission into the EACS program by email
  • Step 5A - Apply for the Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG)
  • OR           (Assistance is available)
  • Step 5B - (If you are not eligible for AUG) then Pay your Confirmation Deposit
  • Step 6 – Receive assistance in using your Online Self-Service portal and setting up your student email account
  • Step 7 - Register for your classes online - assistance is available

Need More Info?

Interested in the EACS program, but still not sure?  Learn more by attending one of our EACS Program Information Sessions. Register for an Information Session through the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation, Access Programs Department

Register for Information Session

Contact Us

Access Programs

EACS, Department Assistant Malvis Okika at 604-599-3095, apd@kpu.ca

Future Students Office

604-599-3030, or connect directly with the Student Recruitment Coordinator (for EACS), Brooks Lewis at 604-599-3101, brooks.lewis@kpu.ca