The program requirements have changed effective September 2025 (Fall). Please see the updated Program Guideline September 2025 to see the new requirements.
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
Become an education assistant with the Education Assistance and Inclusion Certificate. You’ll gain specialized skills that encourage the well-being, development and education of people with disabilities. You’ll learn from experts in inclusive education with innovative teaching methods who will help you become a leader in your field.
This education assistant program can be taken full- or part-time with options for evening, online, weekend and hybrid (a mix of online and in-person) classes so you can fit studying into your busy schedule.
Education assistants are in demand
Over 7,000 new education assistant jobs are projected from now until 2034 in British Columbia. You’ll graduate with hands-on experience in the field through a 160-hour supervised workplace practicum.
Education assistant grads have multiple career pathways
Once you graduate, you can transfer credits from the certificate into the second year of our Inclusive Education and Disability Studies Diploma - a program that extends your learning into inclusive support and transitions to adulthood and behavioural intervention for children with autism. The diploma then block transfers into the third year of our Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degree.
If you’re looking for a career in teaching, many of our students use the Education Assistance and Inclusion certificate pathway as a starting point to become an elementary school teacher.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
If you have related education or two years of work experience and would like to get credit or license/field recognition (non-credit) for your experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition is available.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Graduation Requirements:
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| CFCS 1130 | Change and Development Lifespan | 3.00 |
| DACS 1140 | Introduction to Disability Studies | 3.00 |
| DACS 2152 | Supporting Social and Emotional Learning and Development | 3.00 |
| DACS 1250 | Teaching and Learning: Universal Design for Learning | 3.00 |
| DACS 1258 | Positive Behaviour Support | 3.00 |
| DACS 1257 | Supporting Communication | 3.00 |
| DACS 2370 | Personal Assistance | 3.00 |
| DACS 2320 | Working with Others | 3.00 |
| DACS 1244 | Education Assistant Practicum 1 | 3.00 |
| DACS 1245 | Education Assistant Practicum 2 | 3.00 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 30.00 |
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Career opportunities include: