Education Assistant Program

(EA)

 

The Education Assistant Program was reviewed and approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills in British Columbia, Canada.

Course Description:

Education Assistants (EAs) work under the guidance of classroom teachers and school teams to support students with diverse and complex learning challenges and special needs. Their support may include behavior management, curriculum implementation, specialized programming, physical therapy, speech therapy, assistive technology, social skills development, personal care, and physical assistance, all under the guidance of trained professionals. EAs follow the direction of teachers and other professionals, consistently referring to each child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) created by the school team. Education Assistants play a vital role in addressing each child’s physical, social-emotional, and learning needs. The EA program at CCBC prepares students to meet the unique needs of every child they support.

 

 

Admission Requirements: 

(1) Applicants should be high school graduates (B.C. Certificate of Graduation – “Dogwood Diploma” or B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma – “Adult Dogwood”) OR 19 years or older at the start of the applicant’s program.

(2) Applicants who wish to qualify as domestic students must produce valid documentation confirming their legal status as Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

(3) Applicants classified as International students must meet the requirements for international students studying in Canada as listed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

(4) All coursework is delivered in English at CCBC, requiring students to demonstrate proficiency to succeed in their programs. Applicants must submit proof of meeting the language proficiency requirement. This proof will be evaluated fairly and consistently by the Registrar’s Office. Standardized English Language test/assessment scores to be at a level equivalent to IELTS 5.5.

Applicants must provide evidence of one of the following:

• Completion of grades 9-11, including English 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
• Completion of 1 year of full-time post-secondary education* at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
• Evidence of graduation from a language program with an established pathway/articulation agreement allowing direct entry (no further testing required) to a diploma or degree program at a public institution in Canada, or
• Evidence of achievement in a recognized standardized language test/assessment at an overall level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (academic) or higher. Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. (Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program).
•  Mature Student Status

Please see FAQs for more information.

Credential Earned:

Diploma

Learning Management System (LMS):

Google Classroom

Program length:

10 months- 8 courses + 180-hour practicum 

 Fees and tuition: 

• Application Fee- $150 (non-refundable
• Tuition Fee- $7,000- Distance and $4500- In-person.  (Tuition can be paid in three installments). Payments can be made by credit card (PAYPAL) or by e-transfer (payments@coastalcollegeofbc.com).
• First Aid Certificate—Students pay for their first aid certification. They can complete the basic first aid course in their area of residence, which costs about $100-$150. 
• Textbooks—Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks from a third-party vendor. They are encouraged to purchase e-textbooks, which are more affordable and arrive quickly via email. E-textbooks will cost about $600, while hard copies will cost about $1,000. Please see a list of textbooks in the course outline below. 
• Practicum: CCBC will facilitate a practicum placement for each student at no additional cost.

Start Date and Delivery Method: 

• Delivery Method -Distance:  Asynchronous and Synchronous. The program begins on the first Monday of each month. The program starts the following week if the start date falls on a statutory holiday. $7000
• Delivery Method -In-person:  Synchronous. The program begins on February 3rd 2025. Location: Unit 145 – 1100 Ewen Avenue New Westminster. The in-person tuition rate is $4500.

Education Assistants (EAs) in elementary and secondary schools perform a range of duties, including:

• Following the Child’s IEP: Work under the guidance of the classroom teacher to implement strategies outlined in the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Promoting Inclusion: Support the inclusion of students within the classroom and broader school community.
• Proactive Support: Take initiative in managing behavior, implementing curriculum, developing social and emotional skills, and providing other supports to help students thrive.
• Reporting: Monitor and report students’ progress and challenges to the classroom teacher and school team.
• Supervision: Accompany and supervise students during recess, lunch, gym activities, library visits, field trips, and other activities as directed by the classroom teacher.
• Collaboration: Work with other professionals to support each child’s development and progress.
• IEP Meetings: Attend school team meetings to contribute insights and suggestions for developing a child’s IEP.
• Personal Care: Provide personal care such as toileting, feeding, self-care, glucose monitoring, physical therapy, and speech therapy as needed.
• Observation and Documentation: Observe and document student behavior under the guidance of the classroom teacher and school team.

EAs support students’ diverse needs and ensure they receive the guidance and resources necessary to succeed.

International students, please note: 

• CCBC is a private institution. Graduates of private training institutions are not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).
• If your program is 15 weeks or longer, you must have sufficient healthcare insurance coverage for your stay in Canada. 

Employment:

Most graduates work as Education Assistants (EAs), also called Special Education Assistants (SEAs), in public schools. EA program graduates also work in private, independent, and faith-based schools. Please visit Make a Future for information about job postings. This program does not lead to employment in a career occupation regulated by a regulator. 

Contact us: 

For further information or to speak with an Academic Advisor, students can email info@coastalcollegeofbc.com. Additionally, students can call the college Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Registration Form – Click here

 

EA Course Outline and Textbook list