Overview
Do you want a profession where you can work with children in the Education Sector? Pursue a career as an Education Assistant by enrolling in this 1-year certificate program. As an Education Assistant, you will positively impact children on a daily basis in their educational development.
Careers
As an Education Assistant, you will work to provide assistance to children with disabilities in public or private school settings.
What you will learn
The program is designed for practicing support workers and those who choose to become practitioners. It enhances competence in:
- Inclusion
- Human diversity
- Learning and support strategies
- Health and wellness
- Communication
- Community and relationships
- Professional practice and accountability
Education Assistant Certificate Courses
With an Education Assistant Certificate, you will be prepared to work as a classroom education assistant, assisting children with disabilities in school settings. The program is designed for practicing Education Assistants and those who want to work towards becoming Education Assistants. It enhances competence in inclusion, supporting literacy, human diversity; learning and support strategies; communication; school, community, and relationships; and professional practice and accountability.
Required courses
Courses
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
| CASS-105 |
Practicum |
3 |
15 weeks |
| CASS-130 |
Ethical Foundations of Practice
|
3 |
15 weeks |
CASS-140
|
Positive Approaches to Teaching and Learning Part I |
3 |
15 weeks |
| CASS-145 |
Positive Approaches to Teaching and Learning Part II |
3 |
15 weeks |
| CASS-150 |
Life Planning and Support Systems |
3 |
15 weeks |
| CASS-160 |
Physical Care/Health and Wellness |
3 |
15 weeks |
| CASS-180 |
Supporting Literacy in Diverse Populations |
3 |
15 weeks |
CASS-195
|
Practicum – Education Assistant |
3 |
15 weeks |
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
Elective
CASS 189 or 3 Credits from Arts, Sciences, ECCL, HCAP, or SSWK
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
One of the following:
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
| ECCL-178 |
Professional Interactions |
3 |
15 weeks |
One of the Following
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
| CASS-120 |
Human Diversity: A Disability Perspective |
3 |
15 weeks |
| SSWK-225 |
Introduction to Disabilities |
3 |
15 weeks |
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
Locations & Dates
CNC programs have varying lengths and start dates to meet your needs, and are offered across multiple campuses where possible. Don’t see the campus you’re looking for? Check back with us soon as this page is updated throughout the school year.
Online Offering
Our Education Assistant Certificate is offered online via our Prince George instructors. CNC’s flexible format makes the EA training accessible for all students, regardless of where they live or what their schedule is.
While course modules are offered online through Moodle, instructors are also available for help through several communication methods, from phone, to email, to Skype, as well as face-to-face for students in Prince George.
| START DATE |
CAMPUS |
DELIVERY |
LENGTH |
| Fall 2025 |
Burns Lake |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Spring 2024 |
Fort St. James |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Spring 2024 |
Mackenzie |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Spring 2024 |
Prince George |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Spring 2024 |
Quesnel |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Spring 2024 |
Vanderhoof |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
Entry Requirements
- English Studies 12, or English First Peoples 12, or ENGL 050, or ENGL 051, or equivalent (minimum “C”)
Students have 10 years from the time of first registration to complete all of the course and practicum requirements for the Community Support Worker (CSW) Certificate and/or the Education Assistant (EA) Certificate. This policy applies to CNC courses and to all courses transferred from other post-secondary institutions for credit at CNC. Courses more than 10 years old may be considered for unassigned credit. Students should contact the Dean to discuss this option. (Please note that professional certification or accreditation bodies and receiving institutions may have different criteria.) For the complete policy, see Ten Year Timeline for Program Completion Policy #E-1.37 available on the CNC Policy web page.
Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our Academic Upgrading options.
Program Expectations
- Commitment of an average of ten hours per week per course.
- MS Office and email skills, high speed internet.
- Students are required to find their own practicum placements, subject to faculty approval and availability.
- Students wishing to register in CASS 105, or 195 must have an approved Criminal Records Check on file at CNC prior to registration. Please contact the Office of the Registrar for more information.
NOTE: All costs associated with equipment, software, certifications and documentation are the student’s responsibility.
Selection Process
If there is room in the program, you will be accepted once you have met all admission requirements. This is called “first qualified, first accepted.” If you qualify after the program is full, you will be put on a waitlist.
Invest in your future
The estimated cost for this program is $345 - $355 per course.
These costs are an estimate. Student fees vary by campus. Check the fee schedule for more details.
Books for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.