Education Assistant

The Education Assistant (EA) program at College of the Rockies is a 10-month program that prepares students for a career in supporting students with diverse abilities in K-12 classrooms.

The EA program is delivered completely online. Courses have been designed to incorporate a high degree of discussion and interaction between students, and instructors are actively involved in guiding learning. Two practicums can be completed in your local community, assuming a suitable site can be secured.

Sixty new full-time students are accepted each year, with a block of seats reserved for applicants in our regional campus areas as well as in rural and remote locations within British Columbia.

Full-time students begin their studies in September and complete them by the end of the following June. Part-time students begin in September of each year and have up to three years to complete the program’s course work and practica.

Program Overview

View admission requirements, program completion requirements and individual course information.

Note: The information for this program is currently set to display information for the 2026/27 academic year. To view other years, choose from the sort feature from the “select calendar” drop-down.

View 2026 Education Assistant Program Planning Guide

View or download the official program outline.

Students participate in a variety of learning activities including:

• Online lectures and readings
• Group discussions
• Individual assignments
• School-based practicums

In addition to your coursework, you will have the opportunity to participate in supervised, hands-on practice in public or private K-12 classrooms.

Workload

Students interested in enrolling in our Education Assistant program should be aware of the workload involved. As a full-time student, you are required to spend approximately 30 hours per week of, “in-class time” whether online or in the classroom. You will also have several hours of homework each evening. As a general guideline:

• A 45-hour (3 credit) course will require 5-8 hours per week.
• A 60-hour (4 credit) course will require 7-12 hours per week.
• The average student will spend 40-55 hours per week if taking the program full-time.

Practicums

There are two practicums in this program.

• EAP 104 Practicum #1: This is completed in the winter semester. You will spend three weeks online doing coursework, then will be at your practicum site Monday through Thursday mornings for eight weeks, followed by four more weeks online.
• EAP 107 Practicum #2: You will spend one week online doing coursework, then will be at your practicum site Monday through Friday (full days) for six weeks, followed by one more week online.”

Practicums may be completed in a student’s local community, assuming a suitable site can be secured. At this time, practicum placements are generally limited to within British Columbia. If you hope to complete practicum placements in other provinces, please consult with the Child, Youth, and Family Studies Practicum Coordinator prior to applying. More information is provided in the application package.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

View or download: CYFS Handbook – Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Credit can be awarded for one or more courses in this program through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

For the 2026/27 academic year (2026/SU, 2026/FA, 2027/WI, 2027/SP)

_{*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Additional Costs:

Travel within the Program

Practice experiences are essential in the Education Assistant program. It may not be possible to arrange practice experiences in the location and at the time preferred by students. Students must arrange their own transportation. Travel and accommodation arrangements and costs associated with practice experiences are the responsibility of the student.

Computer

In the ECE program, teaching and learning strategies incorporate the use of technology through various platforms such as online learning and communication. Students must have access to a computer in order to engage in this learning.

Books and Supplies

In addition to tuition and other fees, students can expect to purchase books and supplies. Visit our bookstore for textbook information and costs.

Graduates are prepared for employment in educational settings within public, First Nations, and independent schools, including:

• Elementary and Secondary School Education Assistant

With additional education, career options may include:

• Elementary School / Kindergarten Teacher *

* High Opportunity Occupation

Specific responsibilities and duties are outlined in the British Columbia School Act as well as in the BCTF document “Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers and Teacher Assistants“.