Help students reach their full potential and maximize their school experience by stepping back into the classroom as an Educational Assistant. Whether you choose the one-year certificate or two-year diploma option, you'll get into the heart of this meaningful and rewarding career in our innovative, accessible and online Educational Assistant program.
We’ll show you how your patience, creativity and understanding can make a difference in students’ lives. You’ll discover ways to assist students to increase learning, independence and positive behaviours. You’ll also learn about the needs of students with disabilities and how you can assist all students in inclusive classroom settings.
Available Online Delivery Only
Apply Now Grab and Go InformationCareer Opportunities
When you complete the certificate or the diploma program, your expertise will be in high demand. You'll be able to find employment opportunities in:
- Elementary, Middle and High Schools
- Kindergartens and Preschools
- Alternative and Outreach Schools
- Before and After School Programs
- Private Agencies who Support Families with Children/youth with Disabilities or Behaviour Challenges
- Early Intervention Programs for Children at Risk
- School Lunch Programs
- Respite Care for Families
- Recreation and Community Centres
- Summer Camps and Summer Recreation Programs
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
Nearly 100 per cent
of our students had practicum placements within schools, even during the COVID-19 pandemic
Nearly 100 per cent
of our students receive at least one job offer when they complete the program
2 years
is all it takes to earn two credentials if you decide to pursue both a certificate and diploma
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September, January and May
Credential / Accreditation
Certificate (Year 1) / Diploma (Year 2)
Duration
1 - 2 years
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Program Availability
View the program availability for the upcoming intakes.
Academic Centre
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. Upon successful completion of your certificate program, you will be eligible for admission to the Educational Assistant diploma. In order to be considered for the diploma program, we recommend that you submit a Change of Program to the Admissions Office in your last term of study of the certificate program. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Admissions Office.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
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.
Upon successful completion of Year 1 requirements, students are awarded an Educational Assistant certificate.
Upon successful completion of Year 2 requirements, students are awarded an Educational Assistant diploma.
Athabasca University
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Educational Assistant certificate program (one year) are eligible to receive up to 30 credits towards a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services at Athabasca University. Graduates of Lethbridge College's Educational Assistant diploma program (two years) are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards the third year of Athabasca University's Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services, Bachelor of Professional Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies, or Bachelor of Professional Arts in Governance, Law and Management.
University of Alberta
Educational Assistant diploma graduates from Lethbridge College are eligible to receive up to 30 credits towards the University of Alberta's Bachelor of Science Human Ecology (Family Ecology major/Child and Youth Studies major) at the University of Alberta. Applicants must present a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to receive the maximum allowable credits.
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
The Educational Assistant programs are available through online delivery only.
Online – Asynchronous
This program is offered in an online asynchronous format meaning learning does not occur at the same time or same place. Instructors provide materials for online completion, including online readings, recorded lectures or presentations, posted lecture notes, video content, assignments and exams. Students access course materials within a flexible timeframe prescribed by the instructor.
Courses
Note: All students should consult an Academic Advisor (403.320.3200) to create a schedule. Academic advising has program specific information for course order and program design. Certificate courses are offered multiple times per year. 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.
Certificate
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| COM-1162 | Interpersonal Relationships and Communications | 3 |
| EDU-1153 | Foundations of Educational Assistance | 3 |
| EDU-1155 | Math Instructional Support | 3 |
| EDU-1156 | Language Arts Instructional Support | 3 |
| EDU-1162 | Self-Regulation in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU-1163 | Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| EDU-1165 | Applied Behaviour Analysis | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following: | 3 | |
| Composition | ||
| Introduction to Language and Literature | ||
| FWK-1160 | Field Placement I | 1.5 |
| FWK-1163 | Field Placement II | 1.5 |
| HSP-1151 | Family Systems and Development | 3 |
| PSY-1170 | Human Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| SOC-2273 | Multicultural Issues | 3 |
| Credits | 36 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Diploma
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| CPU-2253 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU-2250 | Speech and Language Development | 3 |
| EDU-2252 | Supporting English Language Learners | 3 |
| EDU-2254 | Health Issues in Education | 3 |
| EDU-2258 | Case Studies of Challenging Behaviour | 3 |
| EDU-2260 | Positive Behavioral Supports | 3 |
| EDU-2266 | Sensory Impairments | 3 |
| FWK-2260 | Field Placement III | 1.5 |
| FWK-2262 | Field Placement IV | 1.5 |
| HSP-2250 | Functional Assessment | 3 |
| PSY-2250 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 33 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
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.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BLK-1151 | Blackfoot Language I | 3 |
| ECE-1155 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-1168 | Children's Outdoor Play | 3 |
| ECE-2264 | Pre-School Programming | 3 |
| ENG-2265 | Indigenous Literature | 3 |
| ENG-2285 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| INS-1155 | Introduction to Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| PSY-1171 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| PSY-1179 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| PSY-1191 | The Developing Brain | 3 |
| PSY-2253 | Child Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY-2260 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-2277 | Addictions Treatment | 3 |
| PSY-2280 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-2290 | Brain and Behaviour | 3 |
| SOC-1160 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC-2260 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC-2276 | Sexuality | 3 |
Tuition and Fees
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Certificate)
|
$4,464.00
|
$1,336.00
|
$970.00
|
| Year 2 (Diploma)
|
$4,092.00
|
$1,249.00
|
$600.00
|
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Certificate)
|
$15,984.00
|
$1,336.00
|
$970.00
|
| Year 2 (Diploma)
|
$15,061.00
|
$1,249.00
|
$600.00
|
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This program belongs to the
Centre for Justice & Human Services
Featured Graduates
Sarah King
“This program helped me realize my skills and utilize them to their fullest potential. Thanks to this program, I have been able to get a career that I love, and I have made lifelong friends along the way!”
Nikki Gordon
“I have graduated from programs at Lethbridge College in both [online and in classroom] settings now and while having one-on-one instruction can often be beneficial, the freedom of distance education has been a great experience for myself and I would recommend it to anyone.”
Gail McCready
“Doing the first practicum so early on in the program has been great; it has boosted my confidence, made me more sure about my decision.”
Scholarships
With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge College awards and scholarships for which you qualify, including these featured scholarships: