Help students reach their full potential and maximize their school experience by working as an Educational Assistant. In this two-year diploma program, you’ll learn advanced behavioural support skills and be ready to work in inclusive classrooms and specialized settings. You'll also gain the experience and knowledge needed to support students from diverse backgrounds with challenging behaviours and complex needs. 

Harness your patience, creativity and understanding to make a difference in students’ lives. Learning online at a time and place that works best for you, you’ll discover ways to help students from a strength-based perspective with their learning, behaviour and independence. 

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Career Opportunities

When you complete the diploma program, your expertise will be in high demand. You'll be able to find employment opportunities in:

  • Alternative and Outreach Schools
  • Before and After School Programs
  • Early Intervention Programs for Children at Risk
  • Elementary, Middle and High Schools
  • Kindergartens and Preschools
  • Private Agencies who Support Families with Children/youth with Disabilities or Behaviour Challenges
  • Recreation and Community Centres
  • Respite Care for Families
  • School Lunch Programs
  • Summer Camps and Summer Recreation Programs

Visit ALIS website for more career information.

At-a-Glance

Starts-in

September, January and May

Credential / Accreditation

Diploma

Duration

2 years

Dates and Deadlines

Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.

Program Availability
Domestic Status
International Status
International Status with Study Permit
Fall 2024
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Year 2 - Online
Winter 2025
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Year 2 - Online

Admissions

This program is not available for International Students.

New applicants are accepted into the Educational Assistant program for the Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (May) terms. 

General Admissions Requirements

All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs.

Academic Requirements

Applicants applying to the Educational Assistant diploma are required to have successfully completed a one-year Educational Assistant certificate or equivalent from a recognized college in order to enter the Educational Assistant diploma program.

Graduation Requirements

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded an Educational Assistant diploma.

Transfers
Athabasca University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Educational Assistant diploma are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards a Bachelor of Professional Arts (Communication Studies), Bachelor of Professional Arts (Criminal Justice), Bachelor of Professional Arts (Human Services), or a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Governance (Law and Management) at Athabasca University. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information. 

Practicums
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements

This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.

Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).

Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.

Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.

In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.

WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.

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Delivery Formats

Online

This program is fully delivered online with both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) components.

Courses

View all courses

Note: All students should consult an Academic Advisor (403.320.3366) to create a schedule. Academic advising has program specific information for course order and program design. Diploma courses are timetabled so students can graduate in 12 months. Diploma courses may be taken in the Certificate year. For certificate students transferring in to the Educational Assistant diploma, the educational assistant certificate must be from an accredited college.

CourseTitleCredits
Year 1
See the Educational Assistant Certificate36
Year 2
 Credits36
CPU-2253Technology in Education3
EDU-2250Speech and Language Development3
EDU-2252Supporting English Language Learners3
EDU-2254Health Issues in Education3
EDU-2258Case Studies of Challenging Behaviour3
EDU-2260Positive Behavioral Supports3
EDU-2266Sensory Impairments3
FWK-2260Field Placement III1.5
FWK-2262Field Placement IV1.5
HSP-2250Functional Assessment3
PSY-2250Educational Psychology3
Elective3
 Credits33
 Total Credits69
Electives

Students may select from the following courses. Not all electives are offered every term and not all courses are available online. Other electives may be chosen with permission, prior to enrolment and completion of the course.

CourseTitleCredits
BLK-1151Blackfoot Language I3
ECE-1155Introduction to Early Childhood Education3
ECE-1168Children's Outdoor Play3
ECE-2264Pre-School Programming3
ENG-2265Indigenous Literature3
ENG-2285Children's Literature3
INS-1155Introduction to Indigenous Studies3
PSY-1171Child Growth and Development3
PSY-1179Adolescent Development3
PSY-1191The Developing Brain3
PSY-2253Child Psychopathology3
PSY-2260Psychopathology3
PSY-2277Psycholog of Addictions3
PSY-2280Social Psychology3
PSY-2290Brain and Behaviour3
SOC-1160Introduction to Sociology3
SOC-2260Social Problems3
SOC-2276Sexuality3
View course timetables

Tuition and Fees

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1 (Certificate)
$4,680.00
$1,570.20
$900.00
Year 2 (Diploma)
$4,290.00
$1,463.85
$600.00
International Students
Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1 (Certificate)
$16,416.00
$1,570.20
$900.00
Year 2 (Diploma)
$15,477.00
$1,463.85
$600.00
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