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

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Career 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

Dates and Deadlines

Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.

Program Availability
Domestic Status
International Status
International Status with Study Permit
Spring 2024
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Certificate - Year 1 - Online
Fall 2024
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Certificate - Year 1 - Online
Spring 2024
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Diploma - Year 2 - Online
Fall 2024
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Diploma - Year 2 - Online
Winter 2025
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Certificate - Year 1 - Online
Winter 2025
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Diploma - 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. 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.

Graduation Requirements

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.

Transfers
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. 

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

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

View all 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

CourseTitleCredits
Year 1
COM-1162Interpersonal Relationships and Communications3
EDU-1153Foundations of Educational Assistance3
EDU-1155Math Instructional Support3
EDU-1156Language Arts Instructional Support3
EDU-1162Self-Regulation in the Classroom3
EDU-1163Observation and Assessment3
EDU-1165Applied Behaviour Analysis3
Select 1 of the following:3
Composition 
Introduction to Language and Literature 
FWK-1160Field Placement I1.5
FWK-1163Field Placement II1.5
HSP-1151Family Systems and Development3
PSY-1170Human Development Across the Lifespan3
SOC-2273Multicultural Issues3
 Credits36
 Total Credits36

Diploma

CourseTitleCredits
Year 2
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 Credits33

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-2260Abnormal Psychology3
PSY-2277Addictions Treatment3
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)
$4,464.00
$1,336.00
$970.00
Year 2 (Diploma)
$4,092.00
$1,249.00
$600.00
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
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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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:

EDA.CERT
EDA.DIP