Program Description
The Diploma in Education Assistant prepares learners to support children and youth with diverse abilities in British Columbia K-12 classroom settings. This credential is grounded in the principles of positive, person-centred support and holistic development of individual potential. The importance of making personal connections to knowledge, content, and ways of being are reflected in course design, enabling Education Assistants (EAs) to support children and youth to become connected, competent, caring, and autonomous individuals.
The Diploma in Education Assistant comprises 20 courses, blending theoretical, practical, and experiential learning while supporting students as they continue to develop an Integrative Learning Portfolio.
Northern Lights College offers a 12 month Certificate* or two-year Diploma program. This program may be completed on a part- or full-time basis. Students may complete the program within their own community through online delivery. Face-to-face offerings may be available within the NLC region (contingent on student enrollment or special project offering).
Career Prospects
Qualified Education Assistants are employed in public and independent (private) schools around the province. Graduates of the Northern Lights College Education Assistant program may seek a variety of positions in elementary and secondary education settings, including Special Needs Support Worker, Personal Care Attendant, Settlement Workers in Schools and Playground and/or School Supervision Monitor. Education Assistants may be employed at any grade level, from kindergarten to high school graduation, to provide support to children with varying levels of special needs or they may provide general support in the delivery of educational programs to a number of children.
Prospective students are encouraged to research employment prospects for Education Assistants in their local community and school districts prior to applying to the program.
Courses
Foundation Requirements (18 credits; 270 hours):
HDEC100 (Essential Skills for Human Service Workers)
HDEC101 (Human Development 1)
HDEC103 (Guiding and Caring)
HDEC121 (Interpersonal Communications)
ENGL100 (Academic Writing)
OR FRAN 100 (Français Académique)
FNST 100 (Aboriginal Peoples of Canada)
Specialty Requirements (21 credits; 315 hours):
EDAS141A (Education Assistant Foundations)
EDAS142A (Special Needs)
EDAS 143 (Personal Care)
EDAS144 (Curriculum Foundations)
EDAS145 (Social Foundations of Special Education)
EDAS146 (Understanding Learning Challenges)
EDAS148 (Exploring Diversity)
Practicum Courses (7 credits; 290 hours):
EDAS152 (Practicum 1); or APS 120 (Pratique réflective 1)
EDAS153 (Practicum 2); or APS 121 (Pratique réflective 2)
Specialty Electives (minimum 12 credits; 180 hours) - Students must choose at least 4 courses from the list below:
EDAS 240: Language Development and Disorders
EDAS 241: Autism Spectrum Disorder
EDAS 242 (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)
EDAS 243 (Supporting Children's Mental Health)
EDAS 244 (High School Literacy and Numeracy)
2 Temmuz 2024
Northern Lights College
Dawson Creek Campus,
11401 - 8th Street,
DAWSON CREEK,
British Columbia (BC),
V1G 4G2, Canada
2 Temmuz 2024
International students who received their secondary education in French or in a language other than Standard Written English require minimum IELTs Academic scores of 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0.