Program

Education Assistance and Inclusion (Certificate)

Program revisions

The program requirements have changed effective September 2025 (Fall). Please see the updated Program Guideline September 2025 to see the new requirements.

Domestic applications

Fall 2025:  Apply Now! 

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Disability & Community Studies
Credits
30.00
Length of program
One year
Credential type
Certificate
Campus
Coquitlam
Learning format
Full-time
Part-time
Admission type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

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 Classroom and Community Support 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.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements
  • Applicants who have completed 9 or more post-secondary credits must be in good academic standing (with a minimum GPA of 1.5) for admission into any FACS program.
  • Provide evidence of completion of at least 60 hours of supervised work (paid or volunteer) in a field-related setting. Applicants will be mailed a verification of volunteer/work experience form after they have applied to the program. Forms are to be completed by the applicant's direct supervisor.
  • Two additional professional reference letters attesting to the applicant's suitability to the program.
  • A current resume.
  • A letter of intent from the applicant, stating the reasons for choosing the program, long and short term goals, and the applicant's related strengths and limitations.
  • Applicants may be required to participate in an interview with the department to further determine suitability to the program.
  • A Criminal Record Check (information will be provided by Enrolment Services).

Cost

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. 

Program Requirements

Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 30 credits
  • 50% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College. Transfer credits from other institutions and/or course credits from Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) are not considered Douglas College credits.
  • Students are required to submit a copy of a current First Aid with CPR Certificate.  The course may be Standard or Emergency First Aid, with the training consisting of a minimum of 8 hours.  The CPR includes training for either or both adult and child.
  • In good academic standing.
  • Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 4 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.

Course Requirements:

Course Number

 Course Title Credits
CFCS 1130 Change and Development: Lifespan 3.00
DACS 1140 Introduction to Practice 3.00
DACS 1152 Supporting Social Emotional Learning and Wellness in Self and Others 3.00
DACS 1170 (see note 1) Characteristics of Exceptionalities 3.00
DACS 1250 Teaching and Learning: Universal Design for Learning 3.00
DACS 1257 Supporting Communication 1.50
DACS 1258 (see note 2) Supporting Communication and Behaviour 3.00
DACS 2320 (see note 1) Working with Others 3.00
DACS 2370 Personal Assistance 1.50
DACS 1244 EA Practicum 1 3.00
DACS 1245 EA Practicum 2 3.00
  Total Credits 30.00

Notes:

1. For students admitted to the program prior to Fall 2020: (a) CCSD 1170 and BHIN 1230 or CCSD 1170 and CCSD 1121 or BHIN 1230 and CCSD 1170 may be used as a substitution for DACS 1170 and (b) CMNS 1210, or CMNS 1216, or CMNS 1217, or CMNS 2316, or CMNS 2317 may be used as a substitution for DACS 2320.

2. DACS 1256 may be used for a substitution for DACS 1258.

Program Guidelines

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.

(Current)

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Education Assistant
  • Indigenous Education Assistant
  • Inclusive Education Assistant
  • Community Support Worker