Education Assistant Certificate
| Type | Part Time Full Time |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 year |
| Campus | All Campuses |
| Delivery | In Class |
| Fees* |
Check fee schedule
*All fees are an estimate. |
| Starting Semesters | Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Spring 2026 |
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
Courses
Required Courses
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
CASS 105 is a school or community-living based practicum. This practicum provides an opportunity for students to learn the paraprofessional roles of either an EA or a CSW. Students complete 65 hours of volunteer work experience under the supervision of a classroom teacher, other school personnel, or a community living supervisor. Practicum students complete a variety of online assignments and journal exercises.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
Effective, ethical communication is the foundation of human service practice. CASS 110 helps human service paraprofessionals to develop this foundation. Topics examined in the course include perception of self and others, verbal and non-verbal communication, conflict management, communication in work relationships, and effective participation in groups and teams. Consideration is also given to the influence of disability, gender, and culture on communication.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
Human development takes many diverse paths. CASS 120 examines disability as one expression of this richness. The common categories of disability are surveyed within the context of the person and his/her cultural, social and physical environments. Students will also explore how disability is viewed and valued in Canada, as well as some current examples of disability culture.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
In CASS 130, you will evaluate the relationship between your personal and professional values, adopt a code of professional ethics to guide conduct in the workplace, and develop an approach to ethical decision-making. You will identify the ethical issues raised in a variety of short case studies, evaluate options for resolution, and make clear arguments for decisions made. The course also reviews law relevant to human service work in British Columbia.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
This course introduces learners to strategies for teaching new skills and addressing challenging behaviors. This course intends to provide a thorough exposure to training principles and procedures while alerting the learner to ethical concerns when using these strategies. Learners are expected to demonstrate reading and writing skills appropriate for the work place and entry-level college courses.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
A continuation of CASS 140, this course builds on the introduction to behavior change. Successful students will expand their knowledge on developing and implementing procedures of behavior change to enhance the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
In this course, life planning is presented as a process that values and empowers individuals and their families. Several person-centered methods to assess needs, make decisions, act, and evaluate are discussed. The course also surveys a variety of formal (e.g., education, social service) systems and informal (e.g., family) networks that support individuals with disabilities in fulfilling their life dreams.Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
Developing and maintaining good health and wellness practices for ourselves and the people we support is the focus of this course. Emphasis is given to providing personal care in the most dignified and least intrusive ways possible. Topics covered in the course include good mental and physical health, personal hygiene, eating and nutrition, body mechanics, lifting and transferring, and medication safety, as well as the impact of drugs and alcohol, stress management and the challenges of aging.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
CASS 180 introduces students to the basic skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for supporting literacy in classroom and community settings. The course introduces a wide variety of practical and positive ways to support diverse learners with communication, auditory, visual or other challenges.Required Practicum
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
CASS 195 is a school based-based Practicum. It is an opportunity for students to integrate and apply skills, attitudes, and knowledge learned in prerequisite coursework. Students work under the supervision of classroom teacher or other school personnel, assisting in the classroom as directed. Practicum students complete a variety of assignments and journal exercises and participate in a seminar.CASS-189 or three credits from Arts, Sciences, ECCL, HCAP, SSWK
Entry Requirements
Spring 2027 Intake and Onwards
For applications to the Spring 2027 intake (January start), you must meet the following requirements:
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 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.
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Invest in your future
Student fees vary each year by campus. Check the for more details.
Books for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.
Paying for college
We're here to help. You can apply for scholarships and bursaries through CNC. We can also help you find loans and other funding.
Note: This program is not eligible for student loan funding through StudentAid BC.
Salaries and employment
Looking for a job? Check the student employment opportunities board.
