Educational Assistant, Certificate

Program Information
Credential: 
Certificate
Duration: 

1 year

Delivery: 
Main Campus | Full Distance Program
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Shawna Schnick
Contact Title: 
Chairperson
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information visit the Educational Assistant Department, under Academic Departments.

The Program

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.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

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.

Other Requirements: 

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.

Graduation Requirements: 

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

Program Content

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
Year 1 Course Descriptions

COMM 150

Practice in fundamental writing skills with an emphasis on grammar; basic business correspondence; and short reports for business or college. COMM 150 is accepted as a prerequisite for COMM 200 level courses.

CMPT 170

This is a self-directed course covering an introduction to computers; together with word processing; spreadsheet and educational technologies. This course will provide a basic foundation of computer literacy for the Educational Assistant field. * The course is designed as a self-directed course but a mandatory seminary is required to provide students with support; please register in both the Lecture and Seminar sections of this course. Prerequisite: None Prior Learning recognition; based on a skills appraisal; is available for students with computer skills but application for PLAR must be completed by the Add/Drop date.

EDAS 111

Clarification of the roles of the teacher and the educational assistant. Topics include code of conduct; job descriptions; tasks; Alberta Teachers' Association policies; classroom management techniques and positive school climate.

EDAS 114

Working as an educational assistant for four full weeks. Includes a seminar component. Scheduled after all course work is complete. Prerequisite: All compulsory course work

EDAS 116

Developing and increasing your understanding of self and others. Interpersonal skills required in supportive roles as a para-professional.

EDAS 151

Attitudes toward and services provided to persons with disabilities throughout history. Current trends and issues in special education. Laws relating to persons with disabilities in the U.S.; Canada; and Alberta in particular.

EDAS 152

This course examines definitions; classification schemes; prevalence; causes; psychological and behavioural characteristics; and introduces educational considerations covering a wide range of exceptionalities. Prerequisite or Corequisite: EDAS 151 or consent of department.

EDAS 153

Students will review both learning and behaviour management philosophies in order to build a repertoire of effective techniques and strategies that foster positive behaviour change in the classroom Pre-requisite: EDAS 151 and 111 Corequisite: EDAS 152 or consent of Department

EDAS 160

Effective teaching strategies for language arts. Topics include learning theory; early literacy intervention; comprehension and decoding strategies; the writing process and writing analysis with an emphasis on assisting students in improving their reading and writing skills.

EDAS 161

Mathematical concepts taught at the elementary and junior high school levels. Teaching techniques for the mathematics classroom. Designing learning activities to improve children's understanding of math in an educational setting.

EDAS 181

Working under a co-operating supervisor in an educational setting. Taking part in a regularly scheduled seminar to discuss field practice. Prerequisite: EDAS 111; 160 and 116 Corequisite: EDAS 161 and two of the three Exceptionalities courses

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.

Special Fees and Expenses

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.