Education 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 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:

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

Note: EDAS courses are assessed at Tuition Category 2.a.2 for domestic students.

Full-time Program

Term One
All of:
	EDAS 1101	Including Diverse Learners in Schools	3 credits
	EDAS 1105	Supporting Learning in Schools	3 credits
	EDAS 1120	Introduction to Practice and Positive Behaviour Support	3 credits
	EDAS 1130	Interpersonal Communications 1	2 credits
	ENGL 1104	Reading and Writing Skills for Educational Assistants	3 credits
One of:
	EDAS 1161	Change and Development: Childhood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2320†	Developmental Psychology: Childhood	3 credits
Term Two
All of:
	EDAS 1225	Alternative and Augmentative Communication	1.5 credits
	EDAS 1230	Interpersonal Communications 2	2 credits
	EDAS 1271	Practicum 1	3 credits
	EDAS 1281	Health and Personal Care Support for Teacher Assistants	2 credits
	EDAS 1305	Overview of Curriculum for Inclusive Schools	3 credits
	EDAS 2120	Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders	2.5 credits
One of:
	EDAS 1162	Change and Development: Adolescence Through Middle Adulthood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2321†	Developmental Psychology: Adolescence	3 credits
Term Three
	EDAS 1371	Practicum 2	3 credits

Part-time Program

Term One
All of:
	EDAS 1101	Including Diverse Learners in Schools	3 credits
	EDAS 1105	Supporting Learning in Schools	3 credits
One of:
	EDAS 1161	Change and Development: Childhood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2320†	Developmental Psychology: Childhood	3 credits
Term Two
	EDAS 1120	Introduction to Practice and Positive Behaviour Support	3 credits
	EDAS 1130	Interpersonal Communications 1	2 credits
	EDAS 1271	Practicum 1	3 credits
	ENGL 1104	Reading and Writing Skills for Educational Assistants	3 credits
Term Three
All of:
	EDAS 1230	Interpersonal Communications 2	2 credits
	EDAS 1281	Health and Personal Care Support for Teacher Assistants	2 credits
One of:
	EDAS 1162	Change and Development: Adolescence Through Middle Adulthood	1.5 credits
	PSYC 2321†	Developmental Psychology: Adolescence	3 credits
Term Four
	EDAS 1225	Alternative and Augmentative Communication	1.5 credits
	EDAS 1305	Overview of Curriculum for Inclusive Schools	3 credits
	EDAS 1371	Practicum 2	3 credits
	EDAS 2120	Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders	2.5 credits

Notes: † Students who complete PSYC 2320 in lieu of EDAS 1161, or PSYC 2321 in lieu of EDAS 1162 will accrue more than 34 credits in total. Some local school districts require that Education Assistants have both a high school graduation diploma and an Education Assistant Ceritificate. Check the BC Transfer Guide for up-to-date information about transfer opportunities to degree programs in B.C.

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, see the Tuition & Student Fees section of the University 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.