Calgary
Start Dates
  • September 01, 2020
Duration

2Terms

Program Delivery
  • In Class
  • Any-time Online
Tuition & Fees

Domestic: CAD $3,772
International: CAD $12,307
Estimated Book Costs: CAD $500


Program Description

Education assistants work in a classroom, and support children with diverse learning needs. In this program, you'll train to be an education assistant through classroom learning and practicum experience in a school.

You can also take the Education Assistant Certificate part-time, online. If you take the program online, you can only take online courses.

Learners in the face-to-face full-time program write the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) in semester one.

Do you plan on extending your education? Transfer your courses and complete the Disability Studies Diploma in over a year.

Hear about one of the program's grads! Erwin Bear Chief completed his Education Assistant Certificate and his Disability Studies Diploma. Read his story. 


Course Listings Request More Information
International Learner Applicants

International Education
North Campus – Third Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476

Domestic Applicants

Prospective Student Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402

Admission Requirements

Academic requirements
  • Credit in English 30-1 or a minimum final mark of 65% in English 30-2 or equivalent
Or
  • Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test,, that consists of five tests, with a minimum score in the following sections:
    • Writing Skills: 520 minimum standard score
    • Interpreting Literature and Art: 520 minimum standard score
Or
  • Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admissions Test
Pre-practicum requirement

The Education Assistant program includes practicum placements in agencies where employers require a Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS). Results of this check may restrict opportunities for placement in a practicum. The PIC must be obtained before the start of the practicum and may need to be renewed more than once while enrolled in a program. 

English language proficiency requirements

See English language proficiency requirements for details.

Related Links

Course Listings Request More Information
International Learner Applicants

International Education
North Campus – Third Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476

Domestic Applicants

Prospective Student Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402

Course Listing

Term 1

Required CoursesCredit

This course develops knowledge of the history, philosophy, legislation, values, trends and isues related to exceptional learners. It explores student inclusion and provides a wide overview of exceptionalities ranging from mild to severe and child to adulthood. Access and retrieval of information on exceptionalities is emphasized.

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

This first-year composition course introduces learners to academic writing and critical thinking. They read and analyze sociopolitical, cultural, and gender issues in texts with an emphasis on experiences of people whose voices were historically silenced, particularly those of Indigenous communities in Canada. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.

Course Delivery
Real-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place through scheduled interaction through the use of online communications technologies at locations of the learners own choosing. Learners ARE required to participate in online learning activities at scheduled times, and scheduled exams may be required. Blended A mixed course delivery mode where learning activity takes place through a blend of scheduled in-class and online delivery methods. Learners ARE required to participate in scheduled in-class learning activities and one or more forms of online activity. Scheduled exams may be required. Combined Online A course delivery mode that combines elements of any-time and real-time activity. Learners will be able to participate partly at times of their own choosing and are also required to participate in some scheduled online learning activities. Scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

The lives of individuals with disabilities can be improved through the use of assistive technology. In this course, learners investigate the principles of universal design and explore how those principles guide the incorporation of assistive technology into daily activities. Learners explore a variety of current assistive technologies and strategies for their use with individuals and groups.

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

This course examines theory, principles, concepts, and instructional strategies related to expressive and receptive language and literacy development. It focuses on assisting students with reading and writing processes and adapting strategies, materials, and activities to meet the needs of individual students.

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

This is a two-part course that consists of a weekly 2-hour seminar on campus and 10 days of practicum experience in local schools. This is designed to give the student an opportunity to have a hands-on experience in working with children and make connections between theory and practice. The weekly seminars focus on developing knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the assistant as an educational team member in a wide variety of settings.
Prerequisite: EDAS1302*
* may be taken as a pre- or co-requisite

Course Delivery
Blended A mixed course delivery mode where learning activity takes place through a blend of scheduled in-class and online delivery methods. Learners ARE required to participate in scheduled in-class learning activities and one or more forms of online activity. Scheduled exams may be required. Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

This course provides an overview of the typical physical, social, emotional, moral, and cognitive developmental changes occurring during middle childhood and adolescence. Learners explore major theoretical concepts and strategies of interaction with individuals in this age group. Course activity focuses on typical and atypical aspects of development; the contexts and social spheres that shape middle childhood and adolescence; as well as transitions from middle childhood to adolescence.

Course Delivery
Combined Online A course delivery mode that combines elements of any-time and real-time activity. Learners will be able to participate partly at times of their own choosing and are also required to participate in some scheduled online learning activities. Scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

Term 2

Required CoursesCredit

This course builds on the Introduction to Exceptionalities. It focuses on teaching/learning strategies and interventions for learners with specific exceptional needs. Resources, assessment procedures and inclusion of individuals with exceptionalities are addressed. The integration of theory, principles and concepts when determining strategies, materials, and activities for exceptional learners is emphasized. An introduction to assistive technology is included.
Prerequisites: EDAS1301*
* may be taken as a pre- or co-requisite

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

This course focuses on conducting and recording observations of student progress and behaviour, and on beginning to develop an understanding of the assistant's role in classroom management. Following this, it will examine attitudes, skills, and strategies that encourage positive student behaviour. A variety of practical approaches to understanding and managing student behaviour, and for dealing with students exhibiting behavioural difficulties will be explored.

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

This course focuses on learning process and the application of learning principles in providing instructional support to learners. It provides knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and materials to assist students across the curriculum. It explores techniques to reinforce, adjust and modify tasks to meet the needs of individual students.

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

This is a two-part course that consists of a weekly 2-hour seminar and 30 days of practicum experience in local schools. The weekly seminars provide an opportunity to discuss the practicum experiences. The practicum section of this course is designed to give the student an opportunity to continue working as an education assistant and make further connections between theory and practice.
Prerequisites: EDAS1201*, EDAS1202*, EDAS1301*, EDAS1302, EDAS1303*, EDAS1998
* may be taken as a pre- or co-requisite

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

Elective CoursePlus one (1) of the following electives:

Learners explore principles of interpersonal relationships and communication, considering the roles of culture, perception, and listening therein. They practice verbal, nonverbal, conversational, and technology-mediated messaging necessary for effective communication within personal and professional contexts.

Course Delivery
Blended A mixed course delivery mode where learning activity takes place through a blend of scheduled in-class and online delivery methods. Learners ARE required to participate in scheduled in-class learning activities and one or more forms of online activity. Scheduled exams may be required.

This course is an overview of Canada's First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. Historical and current issues are covered, including languages, stories of origin, different band treaties, and current issues of ownership over land, water and governance.

Course Delivery
Any-time Online A course delivery mode where learning activity takes place at times and locations of the learners own choosing through the use of online communications technologies. Learners are NOT required to participate in any scheduled learning activities, but scheduled exams may be required. In Class A course delivery mode where learning activity is scheduled and takes place in a classroom or similar setting at a college facility. May include lecture, laboratory, and seminar components.

Optional International PracticumCredit

Prerequisite: Departmental approval

Course Delivery
Off-Campus A course delivery mode where learners participate in scheduled activity at a non-college site. May include clinical, practicum, work experience, fieldwork, or similar components.

Program FAQs

Yes. The Education Assistant Certificate has a face-to-face or online delivery. Many online learners take it on a part-time basis over two to three years. 

The Education Assistant Certificate has two practicum components. The first is in an inclusive classroom, the second in a complex classroom for special needs children.

No, this is not a legislated role, but it is well recognized within the school systems.

 

There are a range of opportunities for Education Assistant Certificate graduates within the school boards. 

Please visit the full-time course credits pages for details for each program. 
Related Programs
Diploma

Disability Studies Diploma

Diploma graduates work in challenging and diverse careers supporting the well-being of children, adults and families with disabilities. Work as an autism therapist, as a behavioral specialist in schools, or as a team leader in adult services.
Post-Diploma Certificate

Health and Human Services Management Post-Diploma Certificate

Become a leader in health and human services. Develop skills and knowledge in management by building on your current health or human services diploma or degree.

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