Our program is delivered fully online and prepares you to work alongside teachers in the classroom. You'll study child growth and development, learning strategies, interpersonal skills, and professionalism. This program offers a combination of theoretical instruction along with practical experience in an educational setting.
One important aspect of our program is that students receive live instruction with instructor-led classes. There are five intakes and open enrolment, so you can start at any time. The Program is delivered two nights a week from 6:30 - 9:00 P.M (Monday and Tuesday).
Practicums can be arranged in a school setting of your choice.
Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.
Career Potential
Graduates of The Educational Assistant Certificate Program qualify for Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certification through Child Care Staff Certification, Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services upon completion of their certificate.
Students who obtain 45 hours in an Early Childhood course can apply for Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certification from the Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services
Credentials
Certificate
Educational Requirements
- High School Transcripts, including English Language Arts 30-1 at 55% or English Language Arts 30-2 at 60%
- Math 10-3
- Students who do not meet admission requirements can contact student services regarding opportunities for placement testing. * Students must submit an application to the program to start the process.
Other
- Police Information Check (PIC) with at Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) is required prior to practicum placements. PIC must valid within one year of practicum start date.
- Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements on our Moodle page
Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.
English Language Proficiency Information
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. You must apply, pay the application fee, and meet the entrance requirements by the application deadline for the course you are applying to start. The start dates and the application/entrance requirement deadlines for each course are as follows.
First Intake: August 18, 2025. Applications open.
Second Intake: October 20, 2025. Applications open.
Third Intake: January 5, 2026. Applications open.
Fouth Intake: March 9, 2026. Applications open.
Fifth Intake: May 28, 2026. Applications open.
Location
Online Delivery
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Tuition Deposit - $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)
2025-2026 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:
| Tuition | $4,653.70 |
| Student Association | $302.35 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $248.13 |
| Recreation Fee | $132.68 |
| Total | $5,663.36 |
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $136.87. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $136.87.
Other mandatory fees Fall semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $580.48 |
Other mandatory fees Winter semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $107.75 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $524.98 |
Other mandatory fees Spring semester
| Student Association | $68.95 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $23.54 |
| Total | $175.20 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
Educational Assistant Certificate
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.