If you are excited to support students in the K-12 education system who have a variety of academic, physical, social, and emotional learning challenges, this might be the career for you.
Thank you for your interest in applying to be a student in one of our Health and Human Services programs at the College of the Rockies. As a successful applicant, you will receive or have received a request to provide documentation confirming you are current in immunizations and First Aid/CPR.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic obtaining and completing these admission requirements has been more difficult, your admission into the Health and Human Services programs will not be held up while you wait to complete these requirements. Recently services have begun to open up and obtaining these documents is becoming available.
It is the responsibility of the student to continue to actively seek to obtain and complete these requirements. Please submit any missing admission requirement documentation to Enrolment Services.
Immunization services in BC are in flux as Public Health Departments must regularly reprioritize resource distribution in response to changing COVID-19 conditions. Our local Public Health agency will do their best to accommodate College of the Rockies student immunizations by individual appointment. Immunizations are also available through local pharmacists and Travel Clinics. We recommend that students continue to pursue obtaining required immunizations to complete program admission and practicum placement requirements as soon as available.
In accordance with provincial/territorial public health authorities, in-person training options are now available in certain jurisdictions. Red Cross Training Partners will adopt safe classroom protocols to promote the safety of all participants. Please check for blended delivery options as well to support your training needs. College of the Rockies accepts blended format CPR certifications (online theory supported by face-to-face practical application), but does not accept certifications obtained exclusively online. Students are expected to continue to seek CPR recertification, as courses come available, and to update their certification as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Program Overview
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 needs in K-12 classrooms.
The EA program can be done fully online or you may choose to take a selection of courses in a traditional classroom setting. Online courses have been designed to incorporate a high degree of discussion and interaction between students, and instructors are actively involved in guiding learning.
Thirty new full-time students (online or on-campus) are accepted each year. Students begin their studies in September, and complete them by the end of the following June.
Part-time students (online or on-campus) begin in September of each year and have up to three years to complete the program's course work and practica. The number of part time students accepted depends on the seats available in each course.
View: Education Assistant Planning Guide
You will participate in a variety of learning activities including:
In addition to your coursework, you will have the opportunity to participate in supervised, hands-on practice in public or private K-12 classrooms.
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CYFS 101 | Inclusive Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
CYFS 102 | Observing and Recording | 3 |
EAP 112 | Introduction to Systems, Structures and Roles in Education | 4 |
EAP 102 | Technology and Augmentative Communication | 3 |
EAP 110 | Healthcare in the School System | 3 |
Total | 16 |
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
EAP 104 | Practicum #1 (120 Hours) | 4 |
EAP 108 | Autism | 3 |
CYFS 103 | Guiding Across the Lifespan | 4 |
EAP 111 | Understanding the K-12 Curriculum | 4 |
CYFS 116 | Lifespan Development | 4 |
Total | 19 |
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
EAP 105 | Special Education | 3 |
EAP 107 | Practicum #2 (180 Hours) | 4 |
Total | 7 |
Course Descriptions
Inclusive Interpersonal Communications enables the student to develop interpersonal communication skills to enhance their professional and personal relationships. We also expect students to clearly evaluate their own values, beliefs, and attitudes that influence their interpersonal communication.
This course is designed to help students learning to become human service workers, education assistants, early childhood educators, and aboriginal education support workers enhance their skills in observing and recording human development and behaviour from birth through adulthood. A variety of observing and recording techniques will be explored in the course.
This course focuses on the systems, structures and roles within the K-12 education system. Students explore the evolution of the education system in British Columbia, levels within that system, alternate forms of education, and the roles and resources related to learners with special needs.
This course provides students with an introduction to augmentative and alternative communication. Characteristics of various strategies related to the needs of the users are explored. Students also look at a variety of ethical and technological issues that emerge when supporting children who use alternative and augmentative forms of communication in the K-12 classrooms.
In this course, learners will develop a global understanding of healthcare in the K-12 school system, and the roles and responsibilities of an Education Assistant within it. The course looks at current healthy schools initiatives in the province of British Columbia, how to support the healthcare of students with diverse needs, and strategies for managing personal health and wellness as Education Assistants.
The content of this course is specific to developing the skills, knowledge, and values of an Education Assistant in a school setting. Students have the opportunity to begin integrating theory and skills learned in the classroom within a school setting.
This course is designed to provide students with an in depth understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how to successfully support children and youth with ASD in the K-12 school system. This includes academic, behavioural, and environmental challenges which are specific to ASD. Students learn various skills and strategies to address sensory stimulation, communication, anxiety, and language challenges.
This course focuses on effective ways to guide and understand the needs and behaviours of children, youth and adults. Learners will also explore the influences that inform their own behaviour and reflect on how these influences impact their understanding of themselves. A variety of theoretical, developmental and experiential perspectives will be explored.
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore ways to support students and facilitate learning in the K-12 classroom. Strategies for supporting literacy and numeracy are discussed in detail. This course uses the BC Ministry of Education curriculum and core competencies as the foundation for directing support. The content of this course is specific to developing the skills, knowledge, and values in an Education Assistant setting.
This course explores the development of humans from conception to death. It includes physical, cognitive and psychosocial developmental domains. Students preparing to work in careers that involve other people need to clearly understand the complex, dynamic process of development throughout a person's lifespan. This knowledge can provide students with insight into their own development and the development of those they will encounter in their personal and professional lives.
This course provides learners with in-depth information on common special needs in the K-12 classroom, including an overview of inclusion and the BC Ministry of Education funding categories. It provides learners with a variety of strategies used to support K-12 students with special needs. The content of this course is specific to developing the core competencies required of education assistants in the K-12 school setting.
In this ten-week course, students integrate theory and practice skills that have been learned in the Education Assistant program and apply them in a school setting. Students complete a seven week full-time practicum in a classroom setting with concurrent classwork, as well as three weeks of focused online guided reflection.
Admission Requirements
*Practicum based learning is an essential component of this program. A criminal record may reduce an applicant’s access to the program and/or to required practicum opportunities. Applicants disclosing a criminal record are guided to explore other options. Depending on the nature of the offence, options may include applying for a pardon. Any associated cost is the responsibility of the student.
Your Costs
Tuition: | $3857.84 |
Application Fee: | $30.0 |
Student Association Fee: | $92.0 |
Total | $ |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Tuition | $15300.0 |
Application Fee | $100.0 |
International Fee | $100.0 |
Student Association Fee | $92.0 |
Total | $ |
*These prices are for international students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Additional Info
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:
There are two practicums in this program.
Practicums may be completed in a student's local community, assuming a suitable site can be secured. More information is provided in the application package.
Credit can be awarded for one or more courses in this program through Flexible Assessment.
Under the direction of a teacher and/or administrator, Education Assistants support students who have a variety of academic, physical, social, and emotional learning challenges.
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".
Graduates are prepared for employment in educational settings (elementary, middle and high school levels).
There is high demand for Education Assistants. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE BC) estimates that there are 14,000 people working in this position in BC.
Delivery Method:?
Online, Blended
Credential:
Certificate
Categories: Health & Human Services, Education
Interests: Work With My Hands, Care for Others, Teach Others, Not Have a Desk Job, Get in, Get out, Get a Job
2700 College Way
Box 8500, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L7
Phone: 250-489-2751
Toll-free: 1-877-489-2687
Email: info@cotr.bc.ca