Educational Assistant Certificate

The one-year Educational Assistant certificate program will prepare you to work alongside teachers in the classroom. You'll study child growth and development, learning strategies, interpersonal skills and professionalism.

Course content provides the student with knowledge and skills in the areas of: child growth and development; learning strategies to support curriculum for diverse learners; interpersonal skills and working as a professional team member. This program offers a combination of theoretical instruction along with practical experience in an educational setting.

Career Potential
Graduates of the Educational Assistant Certificate program are prepared to work in school environments and other agencies providing educational services to children and youth.

Important Links:
Textbooks & Supplies
Funding Options
Early Learning & Child Care and Educational Assistant Booklet


Credential
Certificate

Requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent including;

  • English 30-1 or 30-2 (30 or 33)
  • A score of 12.9 on Nelson Denny Test (if less than 60% in English 30/33 or English 30-1 or 30-2)
  • Math 10C or 10-3, Math 10 (Applied or Pure), Math 10 or 13
  • Criminal Record Check, Child Youth Information System Document (formally CWIS) Alberta Child and Youth Services
  • Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements on our Moodle page

Practicum
Practicum locations vary. Students may be required to travel to practicum sites and are responsible for arranging their own transportation, accommodation, and childcare.

Transferability
Transferability to other provincial colleges is available. Some courses are transferable to the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate program. 30 block credit transfer to the Athabasca University BPA program.

Educational Assistant Certificate

  • HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I

    Course ID: ECDE100

    Name: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    In this course the student will explore the major theories of human development and will focus specifically on birth to age 12-18. Areas of study will include physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

  • WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

    Course ID: ENGL100

    Name: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    ENGL 100 concentrates on the development and improvement of academic writing skills that meet post-secondary college standards. The course reviews effective essay writing skills and considers the summary, report, and critique. The focus of ENGL 100 is the research paper and APA style. The course projects effective writing and avoidance of plagiarism as intrinsic professional competencies. Job search considerations include the cover letter, targeted electronic resume, and portfolio. Students develop computer skills to augment composition, formatting, and proofing of all scholastic papers.

  • INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGE & LITERACY FOR EDUCATION ASSISTANTS

    Course ID: EDAS112

    Name: INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGE & LITERACY FOR EDUCATION ASSISTANTS

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course will focus on how children develop language and literacy skills in school settings. It will include a history of philosophy in language and literacy learning as well as current practice and trends. Developmentally appropriate practice, language in diverse families, and the role of reading, writing, speaking and listening in literacy will be explored.

  • PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Course ID: EDAS103

    Name: PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Hours: 140

    Credits: 2

    This practicum is a four-week placement (140 hours) in an assigned educational setting. Students assume duties and responsibilities, as assigned by the practicum on-site supervisor and are responsible for arrangements necessary to complete College expectations and assignments. There is time required for an online Integration Seminar. Prerequisite: ECDE 100 – Human Development or approved credit.

  • ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EA

    Course ID: EDAS122

    Name: ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EA

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course provides students with the knowledge required to work professionally and effectively with classroom teachers and in the overall school environment. Students become knowledgeable about professional ethics, ATA policy regarding assistants in the school, school policies and related operational matters, code of conduct, job descriptions, and role clarifications.

  • INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE

    Course ID: RSER103

    Name: INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    In this course interpersonal communication skills are emphasized as a vital part of human services. This course provides students with an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the basic communication concepts and skills, to examine their everyday communication behaviours, and to apply their new knowledge and self-awareness to their own experience. The main goal of this experience is to help students expand their repertoire of skills for communicating more effectively.

  • OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT

    Course ID: RSER102

    Name: OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    Learning in this course involves the study and development of basic behavioural observation, assessment and individual program planning (IPP) strategies that are fundamental to the habilitation and rehabilitation of persons with developmental disabilities. Techniques of objective behavioural descriptions, observation and recording of behaviour are emphasized.

  • PROGRAM DESIGN

    Course ID: RSER122

    Name: PROGRAM DESIGN

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    Study in this course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the principles of applied behaviour analysis and its utility in designing behavioural plans within the context of individual program plans (IPP). Students are taught to design and implement programs that assist persons with disabilities to learn new, or adapt existing behaviours. Programming strategies considered are transferable to a wide variety of settings, ages and abilities. It is expected that students will utilize their observation and assessment skills (RSER 102) as a pre-requisite to effective program design.

  • DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

    Course ID: RSER101

    Name: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This is an introductory course to disability studies and provides students with an opportunity to explore the lives of persons with disabilities including families, special needs, diverse characteristics, and life styles.

  • GUIDING BEHAVIOUR

    Course ID: ECDE111

    Name: GUIDING BEHAVIOUR

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    Students learn skills and effective intervention techniques designed to positively and appropriately guide the behaviour of preschool and school-age children, and to nurture a safe and healthy environment for children and staff.

  • PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Course ID: EDAS123

    Name: PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Hours: 140

    Credits: 2

    This practicum is a four-week placement (140 hours) in an assigned educational setting. Students assume duties and responsibilities, as assigned by the practicum on-site supervisor and are responsible for arrangements necessary to complete College expectations and assignments. There is time designated for an online Integration Seminar. Prerequisite: EDAS 103 or have approved advanced credit.

  • INTRODUCTORY MATH LEARNING

    Course ID: EDAS113

    Name: INTRODUCTORY MATH LEARNING

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course will focus on developing mathematical concepts, skills and abilities at the pre-math, early math, elementary, middle school math levels and some high school level math. The emphasis will be on the role of the educational assistant in the selection of effective and appropriate strategies used when providing math assistance to students. Curriculum design and programming will include a specific emphasis on mathematical experience.

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