Educational Assistant, Certificate

Program Information
Credential: 
Certificate
Duration: 

1 year

Delivery: 
Main Campus and Online Delivery
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Julia Rheaume
Contact Title: 
School of Education Associate Dean
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.

Related Careers

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
The Program

Graduates assist teachers and students 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: The coursework in the Educational Assistant program is offered two ways:  through classes on-campus and through online course. Students may complete the program entirely on-campus, entirely online, or through a blend of on-campus and online courses. The program may be completed through full-time or part-time study in either on-campus or online courses. To complete in one year (10 months) students must start full-time study in September (fall term). These students will be registered in a pre-set schedule of EDAS courses. Students may also start the program in January (winter term) but on a part-time basis only; frequently requiring 1.5 years to complete the Certificate. Students in online courses require regular access to a computer with internet service; please contact the flexible [dot] learning [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca (Flexible Learning Office) at 403-357-3664 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.

For the 2018-2019 academic year, the admission requirements for all students will be as follows:

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 of the College Board Placement test.
OR
Previous completion of three College-level courses 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 employment. 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.

Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

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 Supporting Diverse Learners
  • 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

Introduction to computers; together with word processing applications; spreadsheet applications and educational technologies. This course will provide a basic foundation of computer literacy for the Educational Assistant field; delivered in a self-directed format with supporting seminar.

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 weeks. Includes a seminar component. Scheduled after all course work is complete. This course may satisfy requirements for ELCC 210. 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. This course will satisfy requirements for ELCC 213.

EDAS 151

Attitudes toward and services provided to persons with disabilities throughout history. Current trends and issues in inclusive 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 diverse range of learning needs. This course will satisfy requirements for ELCC 206.

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 Associate Dean.

EDAS 160

Effective teaching strategies for literacy. 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

Numeracy concepts taught at the elementary and junior high school levels. Effective teaching techniques and learning activities to improve children's understanding of numeracy 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. Students with 50% or greater in ELA 30-1 may take ENGL 219. Students with 60% or greater in ELA 30-1 may take COMM 150. COMM 150 does not have a prerequisite

Note: Students with an academic status of Academic Warning or Probation will not be placed in EDAS 114 (Field Experience practicum) or EDAS 181 (Field Practice practicum) until they have cleared this status.

Options 45 hours:

Students require one of EDAS 156, EDAS 157, EDAS 158 or EDAS 159, or three of EDAS 163, EDAS 164, EDAS 165, EDAS 166, EDAS 167 and EDAS 168. (Students who qualify for Advanced Placement or Transfer Credit may be able to receive credit for one option). 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 $30.00.

Students with previous courses taken at accredited post-secondary institutions are advised to submit an application for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) to have their transcripts assessed for possible Transfer Credit. Students who previously took RDC courses in a different program may apply for possible Advanced Placement. You are advised to submit your PLAR application as soon as possible after applying to the program. Advanced credit is not given for EDAS 181 (Field Practice)

Courses not open to challenge: EDAS 181(Field Practice)