Education Assistance and Inclusion (Certificate)

Overview

Become an education assistant with the Education Assistance and Inclusion (EAI) program at Douglas College. You’ll take education assistant courses that give you the specialized skills to 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. If you have related education or two years of work experience and would like to get credit or licence/field recognition (non-credit) for your experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is available.

Education assistants are in demand

Over 5,400 new education assistant jobs are projected from now until 2029 in British Columbia. You’ll graduate with hands-on experience in the education assistant field through a 160 hour supervised workplace practicum.

EAI grads have multiple career pathways

Once you graduate you can transfer credits from the EAI certificate into the second year of our Classroom and Community Support (CCS) Diploma - a program that extends your learning into inclusive support, transitions to adulthood and behavioural intervention for children with autism.

The CCS diploma then block transfers into the third-year of Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degree at Douglas College. Your credential may also transfer to education assistance programs at other post-secondary institutions. Visit the B.C. Transfer Guide and your transfer university’s website regularly to confirm which courses transfer.

If you’re looking for a career in teaching, many of our students use the EAI certificate pathway as a starting point to becoming an elementary school teacher.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 30 credits
  • 25% (7.5 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College for students using transfer credit from other institutions, and/or have successfully challenged courses through PLAR.
  • 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.

Course Requirements:

                                             Year 1  

Course
Number

 Course Title Credits
CFCS 1130 Change and Development: Lifespan 3.0
DACS 1140 Introduction to Practice 3.0
DACS 1150 Teaching and Learning: Foundations 3.0
DACS 1170 Characteristics of Exceptionalities 3.0
DACS 1250 Teaching and Learning: Universal Design for Learning 3.0
DACS 1256 Teaching and Learning: Introduction to Communication and Behaviour 3.0
DACS 1280 Foundations of Family Support 3.0
DACS 2320 Working with Others 3.0
DACS 2370 Personal Assistance 1.5
DACS 1240 Practicum 1 4.5
  Total Credits for Credential 30.0

For students admitted to the program prior to Fall 2020:

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 CFCS 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 the Office of the Registrar).

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Education Assistant
  • Indigenous education assistant
  • Inclusive education assistant
  • Community support worker

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)