Educational Assistant Diploma

Our Educational Assistant Diploma is delivered fully online and builds on the foundations of the Educational Assistant Certificate. The program explores the historical and philosophical influences on current best practices in school-age educational programming. The 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 is a new course each month 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. (Wednesdays and Thursdays)

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 Diploma Program qualify for Level 2 Early Childhood Educator Certification through Child Care Staff Certification, Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services upon completion of their diploma.

Students who obtain 45 hours in an Early Childhood course can apply for Level 1 Childhood Educator Certification from the Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services.

Credentials

Diploma

Educational Requirements

    • Successful completion of Educational Assistant Certificate from Portage College or another provincial college

Other 

    • Criminal Record Check and Child Welfare Prior Involvement Check
    • Please refer to the following link for the minimum technical requirements for our Moodle site

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 Portage College Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program. 60 block credit transfer to the Athabasca university BPA program.

Program Start/End Dates
Applications are open enrollment. 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 on. The start dates and the application/entrance requirement deadlines for each course are as follows.

CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES – Start Date: August 22, 2024. Application Deadline: July 5, 2024. Applications Closed(Next Offering, Fall 2025)

ADVANCED STUDIES IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES – Start Date: September 18, 2024. Application Deadline: August 4, 2024. Applications Closed(Next Offering, Fall 2025)

ADVANCED PROGRAM DESIGN – Start Date: October 23, 2024. Application Deadline: September 9, 2024. Applications Closed(Next Offering, Fall 2025)

EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATIONS – Start Date: November 20, 2024. Application Deadline: November 22, 2024

SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY – Start Date: January 8, 2025. Application Deadline: November 22, 2024

ADVANCED CURRICULUM IN MATH – Start Date: February 5, 2025. Application Deadline: November 22, 2024 

CHILD HEALTH – Start Date:  March 5, 2025. Application Deadline: January 22, 2025

ADVANCED BEHAVIORAL GUIDANCE FOR THE EA – Start Date: April 2, 2025. Application Deadline: February 16, 2025

ADVANCED LANGUAGE & LITERACY DEVELOPMENT – Start Date: April 30, 2025. Application Deadline: March 16, 2025


Location
Online Delivery

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Tuition Deposit - $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)

2024-2025 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:

Tuition $4,159.89
Student Association $302.35
Dental Insurance Fee $158.50
Health Insurance Fee $158.50
Technology Fee $248.13
Recreation Fee $132.68
Total $5,160.05

Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $134.19. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $134.19.

Other mandatory fees Fall semester

Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $253.98

Other mandatory fees Winter semester

Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $253.98

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.

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.

Fee Explanations

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.

Athletics & Recreation 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.

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.

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

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.

Educational Assistant Diploma

  • CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES

    Course ID: ECEA209

    Name: CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course provides learners with knowledge of various types of exceptionalities and with skills to assist in developing appropriate programming strategies for children with exceptional needs and abilities. The student will learn appropriate intervention techniques and how to utilize these when working individually with children and in integrated settings. Inclusive education is studied as it relates to Alberta classrooms.

    Fall Term 

  • ADVANCED STUDIES IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

    Course ID: RSER201

    Name: ADVANCED STUDIES IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course builds on RSER 101 and focuses on developing a greater understanding and appreciation for the multifaceted aspects of developmental disabilities.

    Fall Term 

  • ADVANCED PROGRAM DESIGN

    Course ID: EDAS 221

    Name: ADVANCED PROGRAM DESIGN

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course allows the student to expand skills in supporting the designing of effective programs for challenging behaviours. Emphasis will be placed on program planning that will address inclusive practices.

    Fall Term 

  • EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATIONS

    Course ID: ECEA201

    Name: EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATIONS

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course focuses on the historical perspectives which have contributed to and have influenced the current philosophies and practices in the early childhood field today. With an emphasis on Alberta Education and Early Childhood Services and initiatives, this course explores various contemporary program models.

    Fall Term

  • SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY

    Course ID: ECEA206

    Name: SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course will provide the learner with knowledge of Family types from the lone parent to the combined families; trends and issues that affect Canadian Families; family development from courtship through marriage; factors that affect the family unit including aging, divorce, second marriages, work responsibilities, and others; and social factors such as poverty, alcoholism, and abuse that may impact the family.

    Winter Term

  • PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Course ID: EDAS203

    Name: PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Hours: 140

    Credits: 2

    This practicum provides students with experiences in school-based programs. The practicum focuses on the application of increased knowledge of developmentally appropriate programming, child development theory, and effective communication with children. During the practicum, time is designated for an online Integration Seminar. Prerequisite: Must have successfully completed the EA certificate program.

    Winter Term

  • ADVANCED CURRICULUM IN MATH

    Course ID: EDAS213

    Name: ADVANCED CURRICULUM IN MATH

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    Students will gain an advanced perspective on numeracy and the development of an appropriate curriculum. This course focuses on developing strategies to assist children with math skills in each of the four math strands outlined by Alberta Education. The emphasis will be on the role of the Educational Assistant in selecting effective and appropriate strategies while providing math assistance to students.

    Winter Term 

  • CHILD HEALTH

    Course ID: ECDE210

    Name: CHILD HEALTH

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This course is designed to provide basic knowledge and skills for maintaining and enhancing individual health and wellness for the educator and child. A look at the holistic approach with the concept of wellness and health will be studied. Health issues such as safe administering of medication, nutrition and meal planning, illness
    prevention and treatment, provision of personal care, healthy living including obesity, physical activity and maltreatment, agencies and procedures related to these, safety both at the workplace and outdoors, policies, and good hygiene are reviewed.

    Winter Term

  • ADVANCED BEHAVIORAL GUIDANCE FOR THE EA

    Course ID: EDAS211

    Name: ADVANCED BEHAVIORAL GUIDANCE FOR THE EA

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    Students build advanced skills and effective intervention techniques designed to effectively manage persistent problem behavior in school settings. This course will include an in-depth analysis of contemporary theories on child guidance.

    Spring Term 

  • ADVANCED LANGUAGE & LITERACY DEVELOPMENT

    Course ID: EDAS212

    Name: ADVANCED LANGUAGE & LITERACY DEVELOPMENT

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    In this course, students learn appropriate strategies for enhancing reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These skills include early literacy intervention, reading comprehension, word attack skills, expressive story reading, and spelling strategies. Students will develop materials and teaching strategies to effectively assist children with reading and writing.

    Spring Term

  • PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Course ID: EDAS223

    Name: PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

    Hours: 140

    Credits: 2

    Students are placed in a school setting where they assume duties and responsibilities as prescribed by the practicum site. This is the final practicum in the diploma program (140 hours) and students are expected to perform as a regular employed EA would be expected to perform

    Spring Term

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.
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