Education Assistant Program

(EA)

The Education Assistant Program was reviewed and approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) 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.

Domestic

$ 6,000.00

Application Fee: $150

Admission Requirements:

High school graduation or General Education Development (GED) or BC Dogwood Diploma. Min 19 years if applicants are not high school graduates or possess an equivalent educational qualification.
Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through prior education in English at grade 10 level or higher or through an English language assessment (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent standard test.). To be successful in the program, applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language skills. This program is taught in English.

Standardized Test Scores/ Evidence:

Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary school (Grades 8-12) has been completed in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages.
Evidence of post-secondary education completed in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Overall score of 46
Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Overall Score of 40

Delivery Method:

The EA program is 50% synchronous and 50% asynchronous.

Schedule:

EA 110/130/150/170: Asynchronous, no virtual class. Watch the pre-recorded lecture, complete the assignment, and upload it by Sunday night.
EA 120/140/160: Synchronous via Zoom on Wednesdays (4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. PST). Attend the virtual class, complete the assignment, and upload it by Sunday night.
EA 180: Synchronous via Zoom on Mondays (4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. PST). Attend the virtual class, complete assignments, and upload by Sunday night.

For students outside B.C. and those unable to attend a lecture, the lectures will be recorded and posted to the Learning Management System, Google Classroom.

Note: 1 course lasts 4 weeks. After completing the coursework, students complete a practicum organized by the college. The college organizes one practicum for each student in a public, independent, faith-based, or private school. The student will complete a full-time 180-hour (2 months) unpaid practicum. All practicums in BC are unpaid. Please review the practicum policy in the Student Handbook.

Credential Earned:

Diploma

Learning Management System (LMS):

Google Classroom

Program length:

10 months- 8 courses + 180-hour practicum

**As of January 2026, the Education Assistant program will be 12 months long.**

Fees and tuition:

Application Fee- $150 (non-refundable
Tuition Fee- $6,000 (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 $500, while hard copies will cost about $1,000. Please see a list of textbooks in the course outline below.
Practicum: CCBC will organize one practicum for each student at no cost to the student.

**CCBC has applied to the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills to increase the tuition fee of the EA course. As of January 1, 2025, the cost of the EA program will be $7000.**

Starting February 2025, students can apply for financial assistance through StudentAid BC. For further information, visit the StudentAid BC information website.

Start Date:

Intake is on the first Monday of each month.

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), or Special Education Assistants (SEAs), in public schools. EA program graduates also work in private, independent, and religious schools in British Columbia. 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 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.