36-Week* Education Assistant Program in British Columbia
Education Assistants play a crucial role in any educational setting. They work under the direction of a teacher and provide support in various aspects of classroom instruction. They provide individual attention to students who need extra help, ensuring that all students are able to keep up with the class.
If you’re a patient, compassionate individual who enjoys working with children, Cambria College’s Education Assistant program could be an excellent opportunity for you.
The best way to see if Cambria College is the right fit for you is to come in and visit the school. You can tour our facilities, and meet with both students and instructors. Book an Appointment Now or Get more info.
Qualified Education Assistant Training
This diploma program focuses on preparing you for a career as an Education Assistant. This program will provide you with a solid theoretical and practical foundation enabling you to assist students who have been identified as having exceptional educational needs and/or having developmental disabilities. As an educational team member, you will provide behavioral support, learning support, and personal care and facilitate inclusion, communication and social interaction.
At Cambria College, we believe that you should not only complete training with theoretical knowledge, but with real experience in the industry. That’s why students in the Education Assistant program will complete a 180-hour practicum placement during their training.
Your practicum enables you to apply what you’ve learned in a real setting and gain not only experience to put on your resume, but also industry connections, references, and confidence.
1. High School Graduation or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older prior to starting the program)
2. Meet one of the following English Language Proficiency requirements:
Applicants must meet at least one of the following language proficiency requirements: (1) Complete three years of full-time secondary education, including English 12 with a grade of C or higher, in a country where English is one of the principal languages; (2) complete two years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction; or (3) provide verified results from one of the English language proficiency tests listed below.
Test results must be dated no more than two years before the program start date.
For English as second language students;
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band of 6.0 or higher, with a minimum 6.0 in each band,
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) 73,
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) 7 or higher, with a minimum of 6.0 in all four skills,
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Score of 50 or higher with no sub score less than 50
Pearson Test of English (PTE): overall score of 52 or higher
Cambridge English Language: overall score of 169 or higher
Duolingo English Test: overall score of 105 or higher
3. Clear Criminal Record Check Completion under the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP)
Upon successful completion of the Education Assistant program, you will be able to:
Work to promote and model positive and pro-social behaviour in all aspects of your role with the learners, peers, supervisors, members of the educational team.
Work under the direction of teachers, administrators, or other educational team members
Assist in the development and implementation of individualized or group communication skills, behavioral support, learning support, life-skills development, and work experience.
Assist in the modification and adaptation of curriculum to meet the individual learning needs of students.
Attend to and provide personal assistance to students who require assistance with toileting, positioning, diapering, mobility, feeding, grooming, and dressing.
Carry out behavior modification, personal development, and other therapeutic programs under supervision of professionals such as psychologists or speech-language pathologists.
Program Fees
Domestic Students:
Application Fee: $250
Assessment Fee: $100
Tuition: $11,975
Textbooks: $1,500
Others: $50
Total: $13,875
International Students:
Application Fee: $500
Assessment Fee: $250
Tuition: $15,425
Textbooks: $1,500
Others: $50
Total: $17,725
Career Opportunities for Educational Assistants
This program prepares graduates to work as an Educational Assistant for school districts in elementary, middle, and high schools, in before and after school programs, preschools, in life skills training programs as after school tutors, home support and respite care assistants, and as assistants in recreation programs for children and adolescents with special needs.
The Education Assistant program has been approved by the Private Training Institution Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
This program, along with all other programs at Cambria College, is not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.
Rewarding Career as an Education Assistant
If you’re interested in learning more about a career as an Education Assistant and exploring whether Cambria College is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
For immediate questions, call your nearest Cambria College location today.
Applicants must meet the following requirements before being accepted into the Education Assistant program:
High school graduation or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older before starting the program).
At least one of these English language proficiency requirements:
Complete three years of full-time secondary education (a combination of Grades 8–12 or the BC Adult Graduation program), including English 12 with a grade of C or higher, in a country where English is one of the principal languages.
Complete two years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction.
Provide verified results from one of the following tests, dated no more than two years before the program start date:
IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.0 or higher.
TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 73 or higher.
CAEL: Overall score of 50 or higher, with no subscore below 50.
CELPIP: Overall score of 7 or higher, with a minimum of 6.0 in all four skills.
Cambridge English Language: Overall score of 169 or higher.
PTE: Overall score of 52 or higher.
Duolingo English Test: Overall score of 105 or higher.
A clear criminal record check completed through the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP).
The Education Assistant program includes a 180-hour practicum placement, where you will apply the skills and knowledge you’ve learned in the classroom in a real educational setting.
