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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 ladders into BA programs at KPU. Contact Arts Degree Advising for details.

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, indicating the hours of experience completed.)
  • Attendance at an information session (for further information, see kpu.ca/arts/edas)
  • Criminal Record review issued by the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. To be requested once an offer of admission has been made.

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.

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
  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 1371 Practicum 2 3 credits
  EDAS 2120 Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders 2.5 credits
One of:
  ENGL 1100 * Introduction to University Writing 3 credits
  ENGL 1104 * Reading and Writing Skills for Educational Assistants 3 credits
  CMNS 1140 Introduction to Professional Communication 3 credits
One of:
  EDAS 1161 Change and Development: Childhood 1.5 credits
  PSYC 2320 † Developmental Psychology: Childhood 3 credits
One of:
  EDAS 1162 Change and Development: Adolescence Through Middle Adulthood 1.5 credits
  PSYC 2321 † Developmental Psychology: Adolescence 3 credits

Notes: * ENGL 1104 is specific to the Education Assistant program. Students that continue into a bachelor’s degree at KPU, in order to become a teacher in the future, will be required to take ENGL 1100.

† Students that 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 Certificate. Check the BC Transfer Guide for up-to-date information about transfer opportunities to degree programs in B.C.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Certificate in Education Assistant.

At a Glance

Faculty of Arts

kpu.ca/arts

Education Assistant

kpu.ca/arts/edap

Program Type:

  • Undergraduate

Credential Granted:

  • Certificate

Offered At:

  • KPU Langley  Langley
  • KPU Surrey  Surrey

Start Date(s):

  • Fall Intake (September)  September

Intake Type:

  • Limited Intake  Limited intake

Format:

  • Full-time  Full-time
  • Part-time  Part-time

Minimum Credits Required:

  • 34

Instructional Cycle:

  • Semester-based

Curriculum Effective Date:

  • 01-Sep-2018

Applying to KPU:

Last Updated: 20-Dec-2018

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