Overview
Make a difference as an Education Assistant. By joining our fully online certificate program, you’ll learn how to support K–12 students with disabilities or diverse abilities while also building the confidence to create inclusive classrooms, honour cultural diversity, and support student well-being. The Education Assistant program will also encourage your own personal growth as a caring professional.
Careers
Education Assistants work in both private and public schools supporting students’ learning, behaviour, and well-being.
What you will learn
The program is designed for practicing support workers and those who choose to become practitioners. It enhances competence in:
- Inclusive education practices
- Human diversity and cultural responsiveness
- Academic, behaviour, and wellness supports
- Effective communication and teamwork
- Professional standards, ethics, and accountability
- Insights into your own values, self-care, and growth as a professional
Education Assistant Certificate Courses
The Education Assistant Certificate Program prepares students with the skills and dispositions needed to support K-12 students with disabilities or diverse abilities. This program is for both current and aspiring Education Assistants to enrich skills in areas such as understanding inclusion; academic and behaviour supports; human diversity; health and wellness; effective communication; relationships; and professional standards and accountability. The program is designed to nurture skills and foster values and attitudes that respect and honor cultural diversity, particularly in support of the TRC's Calls to Action.
Courses for Spring 2026 Students
Students starting in Spring 2026 will take the following courses:
Required Courses
| 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 |
Courses for Fall 2026 or Later
Students starting the program in Fall 2026 or later will take the following courses:
Required Courses
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
| EDUA 100 |
Child and Adolescent Growth and Development |
3 |
15 weeks |
| EDUA 105 |
Education Assistant Practicum I |
3 |
15 weeks |
EDUA 110
|
Interpersonal Communication: Guiding Positive Dialogues |
3 |
15 weeks |
| EDUA 120 |
Disability and Inclusion: Advancing Equity in Education |
3 |
15 weeks |
| EDUA 130 |
Anti-Racism & Ethical Practice in Education |
3 |
15 weeks |
| EDUA 140 |
Introduction to Understanding and Supporting Behaviour |
3 |
15 weeks |
| EDUA 145 |
Supporting Trauma and Behaviour |
3 |
15 weeks |
EDUA 160
|
Health, Wellness, and Care |
3 |
15 weeks |
| EDUA 195 |
Education Assistant Practicum II |
3 |
15 weeks |
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
One of the Following or Equivalent
| COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDITS |
LENGTH |
| EDUA 170 |
Supporting Numeracy Learning in Diverse Classrooms |
3 |
15 weeks |
| EDUA 180 |
Supporting Literacy Learning in Diverse Classrooms |
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 |
| Spring 2026 |
Prince George |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Fall 2026 |
Prince George |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Fall 2026 |
Burns Lake |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Fall 2026 |
Fort St. James |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Fall 2026 |
Mackenzie |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Fall 2026 |
Quesnel |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Fall 2026 |
Vanderhoof |
Online |
Varies (1 year equivalent) |
| Spring 2027 |
Prince George |
In Class |
1 year |
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
- Plan for an average commitment of about ten hours per week for each course
- Have access to a computer and reliable high-speed internet
- Have basic computer skills, including the ability to use MS Word
- If you live outside of Prince George or Quesnel, you will be responsible for finding your own practicum placement (all placements must be approved by faculty and are based on availability)
- Complete a Criminal Record Check through CNC (RCMP checks are not accepted)
Students must complete a provincial Schedule B criminal record search because there is a practicum component involving work with vulnerable people. A search which identifies criminal convictions may prevent students from registering for practicum. To graduate from the Education Assistant Certificate program, students must successfully complete each practicum.
NOTE: All costs associated with equipment, software, certificates, 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
Student fees vary each year by campus. Check the fee schedule for more details.
Books for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.