Educational Assistant Certificate

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.

Credentials

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

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.

Program Start/End Dates
Application is on a continuous basis. Registration is monthly; you can enroll at any point in the academic year if you have the program prerequisites and the course prerequisites.

Location
Online Delivery

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50

Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $116. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $116.

Other mandatory fees per semester

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies 

International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00

Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $348. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $348.

Other mandatory fees per semester

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies.

Need help funding your education? Check out our  funding options.

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Portage College programs will be delivered online. students will need regular access to a computer with a webcam and an internet connection. High speed broadband access is highly recommended for the optimal learning experience.

For technical requirements, visit our Moodle page.

2020 - 2021

Audit Fee - 50% of Course Fee

Document re-issuance Fee - such as, student ID, meal card, certificates etc. (Non-refundable)
Fee is per document - $10

GED Exam Fee (refundable if writing is cancelled)
Writing Fee - $200
Re-write Fee - $190

Invigilation Fee (Non-refundable)
Administration Fee - $25
Invigilation Fee per hour - $25

Prior Learning Assessment Fee (Non refundable)
Cost recovery, minimum $250/course

Supplemental/Deferred Exams (Non-refundable) - $25

Transcript Evaluation Fee - not applicable to dual credit high schools (non-refundable)
External Advanced Credit  - $50

Transcript Fee - $10

Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)
Domestic Students - $100
International Students - $500
Paramedicine - $1500

• 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.