Special Education Teacher Assistant: Certificate

Description

Graduates work with Kindergarten through Grade 12 students and assist teachers in providing personal care and behavioural and learning support to a variety of students in public and independent schools.

There is a high demand for Education Assistants (EA) and they are employed by every school district throughout the province. The graduates work in a variety of settings, including regular classrooms, resource rooms, work experience sites, and in life-skills activities.

To integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the program, all students complete two four-week, full-time practicums in the schools over the course of their studies, one in an elementary school and one in a secondary school. During this time, a student will observe, assist, and work with children and adolescents with diverse needs under the guidance and supervision of professional staff. This certificate transfers to the BA at KPU.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:

Grade 12 or the equivalent. Grade 12 equivalencies could consist of the Adult Provincial Diploma or the GED
Approximately 100 hours of successful experience volunteering or working with children or youth, preferably in the schools (Applicants must submit two letters from employers or responsible persons in the community certifying this experience.)
Attendance at an information session
Criminal Record review issued by the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
If you are not a Canadian citizen, you are required to secure a Criminal Record Search with the Vulnerable Sector from your country of origin. Note that your Criminal Record Search must be mailed directly from the issuing agency to the KPU Admissions Office.

Curricular Requirements

This program consists of a minimum total of 39 credits. Credits from the SETA program are accepted for transfer into select degree programs.

Note: ECHS and SETA courses are assessed Tuition Category 2.a.2 tuition and fees for domestic students.

Full-time Program

Term One

All of:
	CMNS 1216*	Writing for the Specialized Workplace 1	1.5 credits
	ECHS 1125	Principles of Observation	1.5 credits
	ECHS 1130	Interpersonal Communications 1	2 credits
	ECHS 1135	Essentials to Person-Centered Practice	3 credits
	SETA 1101	Including Diverse Learners in Schools	3 credits
	SETA 1105	Supporting Learning in Schools	3 credits
	SETA 1120	Principles of Proactive and Positive Behaviour Support	2 credits
And one of:
	SETA 1161	Change and Development: Childhood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2320†	Developmental Psychology: Childhood	3 credits

Term Two

All of:
	CAHS 2120	Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders	2.5 credits
	CMNS 1217*	Writing for the Specialized Workplace 2	1.5 credits
	ECHS 1230	Interpersonal Communications 2	2 credits
	SETA 1225	Alternative and Augmentative Communication	1.5 credits
	SETA 1270	Practicum One	3.5 credits
	SETA 1280	Health and Personal Care Support for Teacher Assistants	2.5 credits
	SETA 1305	Overview of Curriculum for Inclusive Schools	3 credits
And one of:
	SETA 1162	Change and Development: Adolescence through Middle Adulthood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2321†	Developmental Psychology: Adolescence	3 credits

Term Three

SETA 1370

Practicum Two

3.5 credits

Part-time Program

Term One

All of:
	ECHS 1135	Essentials to Person-Centered Practice	3 credits
	SETA 1101	Including Diverse Learners in Schools	3 credits
	SETA 1105	Supporting Learning in Schools	3 credits
And one of:
	SETA 1161	Change and Development: Childhood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2320†	Developmental Psychology: Childhood	3 credits

Term Two

All of:
	CMNS 1216*	Writing for the Specialized Workplace 1	1.5 credits
	ECHS 1125	Principles of Observation	1.5 credits
	ECHS 1130	Interpersonal Communications 1	2 credits
	SETA 1120	Principles of Proactive and Positive Behaviour Support	2 credits
	SETA 1270	Practicum One	3.5 credits

Term Three

	ECHS 1230	Interpersonal Communications 2	2 credits
	SETA 1225	Alternative and Augmentative Communication	1.5 credits
	SETA 1280	Health and Personal Care Support for Teacher Assistants	2.5 credits
And one of:
	SETA 1162	Change and Development: Adolescence through Middle Adulthood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2321†	Developmental Psychology: Adolescence	3 credits

Term Four

CAHS 2120	Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders	2.5 credits
CMNS 1217*	Writing for the Specialized Workplace 2	1.5 credits
SETA 1305	Overview of Curriculum for Inclusive Schools	3 credits
SETA 1370	Practicum Two	3.5 credits

Notes: * Students may complete ENGL 1100 or CMNS 1140 in lieu of CMNS 1216 and 1217.
† Students who complete PSYC 2320 in lieu of SETA 1161, or PSYC 2321 in lieu of SETA 1162 will accrue more than 39 credits in total.

Other Information

Costs

In addition to tuition fees, students will be required to pay a first-time application fee or a re-application fee, as well as student association fees and other institutional fees for each course. For more information, visit the fees section of the online calendar.

Other costs include the purchase of textbooks and course materials for approximately $350.00 for 2 semesters for full-time students, $300.00 per year for part-time students. There is also a $20.00 fee associated with the Criminal Record Checks. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to practicum placements. Fees are subject to change without notice.