Education assistant certificate
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toEducation Assistant·Certificate
An eight to ten-month college certificate preparing you to support students with diverse learning and behavioral needs in schools.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
WorkBC training funding
Up to $7,500 tuitionIf you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
BC Access Grant
Up to $4,000 a yearFor low and middle income students in full-time programs under two years at public schools. Assessed when you apply through StudentAid 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)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 7
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
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 12. Requirement varies by school (Langara College, University of the Fraser Valley, Okanagan College). Strictest requirement: C.
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
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
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
Step 6 of 7
Where to take it
⏱ 5 schools in BC- Camosun College — 10 months (About $4,800 for the whole program)
- Douglas College — 1 year (About $3,700 per year)
- Langara College — 9 months (About $7,600 for the whole program)
- Okanagan College — 10 months (About $4,900 for the whole program)
- University of the Fraser Valley — 10 months (Tuition not yet verified)
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.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 7 September 2026.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.