Career Pathway Canada

Education assistant certificate

Education Assistant Certificate

Part of the route toEducation AssistantΒ·Certificate

An eight to ten-month college certificate preparing you to support students with diverse learning and behavioral needs in schools.

How long
10 Months
Cost
$4,898
Schools
5 in BC

THE ROUTE

How this program works, step by step

Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.

The route (7 steps)

BC Route
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Career Destination

For the best view, open the map full screen.

STEP BY STEP

Step by step

The same route as the map, as a list.

1

Step 1 of 7

Grade 11

⏱ 1 School Year
  • General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
2

Step 2 of 7

Grade 12

⏱ 1 School Year
  • BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Douglas College, Camosun College). Strictest requirement: C.
  • English Studies 12. Requirement varies by school (Langara College, University of the Fraser Valley, Okanagan College). Strictest requirement: C.
3

Step 3 of 7

What you need to get in

  • Documented volunteer or paid work experience with special-needs individuals (50 to 100 hours depending on institution)
  • Clear Criminal Record Check through the BC Criminal Records Review Program
  • Valid Standard First Aid or Emergency First Aid with CPR-C
  • Public college offering; no official regulator list exists in BC not yet verified
  • 100 hours of documented volunteer or paid work experience with special-needs individuals
4

Step 4 of 7

How to apply

  • Apply online via EducationPlannerBC to Douglas College, Camosun College, or Vancouver Community College
  • Submit official high school transcripts and complete documentation of volunteer/work hours
  • Provide two professional reference letters evaluating suitability for working with vulnerable youth
  • Complete CRRP criminal record clearance before practicum placement commencement
5

Step 5 of 7

Education assistant certificate

⏱ 10 Months
  • Two full-time semesters (10 months) combining classroom theory and field placements
  • Foundations of inclusive education, neurodiversity, autism spectrum disorder, and behavioral supports
  • Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and assistive learning technologies
  • Positive behavior support plans, crisis de-escalation, and personal care assistance
  • Two 4-week full-time supervised practicums in local public elementary or secondary schools
6

Step 6 of 7

Where to take it

⏱ 5 schools in BC
  • Camosun College β€” 10 months (Not published)
  • Douglas College β€” 1 year (Not published)
  • Langara College β€” 9 months (Not published)
  • Okanagan College β€” 10 months ($4,898)
  • University of the Fraser Valley β€” 10 months (Not published)
7

Step 7 of 7

Leads to: Education Assistant

  • Explore Education Assistant wages, job outlook, and career pathways

SCHOOLS

Where you can take this(5 schools)

Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.

🌊
Public College

Camosun College

Victoria

Duration10 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œVancouver Island public college certificate preparing support staff for K-12 classrooms and community disability services.”
πŸ“š
Public College

Douglas College

New Westminster & Coquitlam

Duration1 year
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œSpecialized education assistant program teaching inclusive classroom strategies, behavior support, and school district practicums.”
🌿
Public College

Langara College

Vancouver

Duration9 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œFull-time public college certificate program including two distinct elementary and secondary school classroom practicums.”
πŸ”οΈ
Public College

Okanagan College

Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon & Salmon Arm

Duration10 months
Tuition$4,898
DeliveryHybrid
β€œInterior public college certificate delivering classroom training and school district placements across Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, and Salmon Arm.”
πŸ›οΈ
University

University of the Fraser Valley

Chilliwack & Abbotsford

Duration10 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
β€œFraser Valley public university certificate preparing graduates to support students with diverse learning needs in elementary and secondary schools. not yet verified”

Official Sources

Last verified Β· September 2026