1 year

Both full- and part-time jobs are available, with salaries varying widely across the province. See the school board in the area you plan to seek work for contract details. There is an increased demand for assistants to work with students with special needs.

Jobs include the following:

• classroom assistants at all levels from early childhood to adult education
• assistants to students with special needs including private agencies
• library assistants
• playground and lunch room supervisors

Graduates assist teachers in both instructional and non-instructional tasks. This program will train you in a wide range of interpersonal and practical skills needed for such work.

Note: This program is also available through on-line delivery. Distance students require regular access to a computer with internet service. Please contact the program for details.

A minimum of 50% in ELA 30-1 or 65% in ELA 30-2 or equivalent

OR

a minimum score of 80 on the Reading component, 86 on the Sentence component and 5 on the written essay component of the College Board Placement Test.

OR

previous completion of at least three College level courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0

OR

conditional admission is available for those who do not meet the academic requirements. Clear admission will be granted by the Chairperson after successful completion of three Educational Assistant courses in the program, with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Note: Applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is recommended that applicants, with a criminal record, check with employers to determine if they would be eligible for practicum placements or future eployment. It is each agency's or institution's decision to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the Police Information Check.

You must pass eleven compulsory courses and 45 hours of optional credits, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Length of program: 10 months (September to June)

• COMM 150 Fundamentals of College and Workplace Writing
• CMPT 170 Microcomputer Applications OR CMPT 261 Introduction to Computing
• EDAS 111 Role of the Assistant
• EDAS 114 Field Experience
• EDAS 116 Human Relations
• EDAS 151 History and Trends in Exceptionalities
• EDAS 152 Overview of Exceptionalities
• EDAS 153 Fostering Positive Behaviour
• EDAS 160 Assisting the Language Learning Teacher
• EDAS 161 Assisting the Math Teacher
• EDAS 181 Field Practice
• Option: 45 hours

Note: If they qualify, students are encouraged to replace COMM 150 with a 200 level COMM or ENGL.

Note: Students on academic warning or probation will not be placed in practicum (EDAS 181 or EDAS 114) until they have cleared this status.

Options 45 hours:

Students need one of EDAS 156, EDAS 157, EDAS 158, EDAS 159, or 3 of EDAS 163, EDAS 164, EDAS 165, EDAS 166, EDAS 167 and EDAS 168. (You may receive credit for one option if you qualify for advance credit or prior learning credit). Additional credit may be received for course equivalencies.

Books/Materials: Allow approximately $120/course for textbooks.

All EDAS eCampus courses - All distance delivered courses have an additional fee of $50.00.

If you are applying for Advanced Standing in any Educational Assistant Course, please contact the Department for additional forms. Advanced standing or credit may be granted for courses in other departments. Advanced credit is not given for 181 field practice.

Courses not open to challenge: EDAS 181

Books/Materials: Allow approximately $120/course for textbooks.