Domestic students
$4,900
estimated total program cost
* varies by campus
Education Assistant Certificate
Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate Certificates are short programs focused on specific skills or subjects. They are a fast and flexible way to start a new career, upgrade your qualifications or gain professional recognition.
Delivery mode
Online (blended) Online (blended) Online (synchronous) Online (synchronous) or On-campus All classes take place in-person at one of our campuses.
Time commitment
Full-time You take a regular course load and move through the program at the standard pace. Expect to study most weekdays. Part-time You take fewer courses at once and progress more slowly. This option offers more flexibility for work or personal commitments.
Duration
Full time: 4-5 months. Part time: 11 months 20 - 44 instructional weeks.
Program codes
- Code: ZEA
Cost
Domestic students $4,900 estimated total program cost Domestic students Estimated first-year cost Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,900 Vernon: $4,900 Estimated total program cost Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,900 Vernon: $4,900 * varies by campus
Location
- Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton or Distance Full program offered in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton or Distance
Available for
- Domestic students
Program features
TBD
Program overview
About the program
Looking to be part of an educational team? This certificate prepares participants to come alongside teachers in the classroom to help reach educational goals and encourage child development. Participants will take classes on school organization, working with and understanding children, issues that arise in education as well as a practicum.
Already have experience in this area? This program qualifies for our Recognition of Prior Learning review. If some of your previous experience could apply to this program, please see Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) page for more information.
- Students will complete a 160-hour (6 week) practicum in a school based setting as part of their program.
- If you live outside the Okanagan or Revelstoke areas, please contact the Program Coordinator to discuss the possibility of doing your practicum in your own District before you apply for the program.
- Students must be prepared to go to the school that they are placed at (for their practicum) by the College. Some considerations are given and will be discussed after the start of the program.
The program includes a mandatory practicum placement that will be set up by Okanagan College with an approved School District, where students apply their skills under supervision. Practicum is full-time Mon- Fri for 6 weeks (180 hours). Practicum students will follow the school bell schedule at their host school. There is also 1 in person observation day earlier in the program.
Note:
- Students outside of the Okanagan Valley should inquire as to whether their local School District accepts practicum students. If the answer is no, they may be required to travel to another District for placement.
- Students are not permitted to attend practicum in a school where they have children or other close relatives in attendance.
- For High School placements, students must be out of school for at least three years.
The Education Assistant Certificate program equips learners to support students with diverse abilities and learning needs in inclusive K-12 settings. The program is grounded in inclusive education principles and reflects current expectations for education assistant practice in British Columbia schools. Learners analyze child development, behaviour, and social-emotional needs; select and apply appropriate learning support strategies; and explain the role of the education assistant (EA) within educational teams.
Coursework emphasizes inclusive and culturally responsive practice, relationship-based and trauma-informed approaches, collaborative communication, and ethical and professional standards that support safe, caring, and respectful learning environments. Learners become familiar with classroom support strategies, adaptations and accommodations, individualized education plans (IEPs), assistive and instructional technologies, and observation and documentation practices used to support student participation and engagement. The program includes a supervised practicum in a school setting, providing structured experience working as part of a school team and supporting students in real learning environments.
Tuition and fees
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Domestic students Estimated first-year costKelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,900Vernon: $4,900Estimated total program costKelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,900Vernon: $4,900
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plus applicable textbooks and/or materials
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Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Admission and program requirements
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BC secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes
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English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
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A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. Okanagan College's Admissions will provide applicants with instructions to submit the request to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline for the College to receive the clearance letter. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Failure to provide a clearance letter by the deadline may result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.
A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC.
Schedule and campus options
This program is delivered in a variety of formats including:
Face-to-face: Learning occurs in-person on campus. Campus locations are listed when applicable.
Online synchronous: Students must be online in the virtual class during regular, set class times.
Online asynchronous: Students complete their coursework online without scheduled class times. Students can choose when to study, but must complete their work by the required deadlines.
Online hybrid: A combination of online synchronous and online asynchronous learning.
Blended: A combination of face-to-face and any type of online delivery style.
For more details contact a campus:
- Penticton campus cssouth@okanagan.bc.ca
- Kelowna campus cskelowna@okanagan.bc.ca
- Vernon campus csnorth@okanagan.bc.ca
- Salmon Arm campus csshuswap@okanagan.bc.ca
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Start date
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Location
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Delivery mode
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Application status
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Jan. 2027
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Distance
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Online (synchronous)
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Open
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Note: Online Synchronous delivery. Part-time Mon & Wed 6:30pm-9:30pm and some Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm
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Jan. 2027
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Distance
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Online (blended)
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Open
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Note: Online hybrid delivery. Full-time M-F 9:30am-1:30pm Online synchronous lectures and 2 hours/day asynchronous studies. 180 hour (6week) Face-to-face Practicum (2nd Intake)
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Jan. 2027
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Distance
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Online (blended)
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Open
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Note: Online hybrid delivery. Full-time M-F 9:30am-1:30pm Online synchronous lectures and 2 hours/day asynchronous studies. 180 hour (6week) Face-to-face Practicum (1st Intake)
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|||
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Sep. 2027
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Distance
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Online (blended)
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Open
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Note: Online hybrid delivery. Full-time M-F 9:30am-1:30pm Online synchronous lectures and 2 hours/day asynchronous studies. 180 hour (6week) Face-to-face Practicum
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|||
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Sep. 2027
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Kelowna
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On-campus
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Open
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Note: In person delivery. Part-time Tues & Thurs 6:00pm-9:00pm and some Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm
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Sep. 2027
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Distance
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Online (synchronous)
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Open
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Note: Part-time. Online Synchronous, Mon & Wed 6:30pm-9:30pm and some Saturdays
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Jan. 2028
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Distance
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Online (blended)
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Open
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Note: Online hybrid delivery. Full-time M-F 9:30am-1:30pm Online synchronous lectures and 2 hours/day asynchronous studies. 180 hour (6week) Face-to-face Practicum
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Program details
EA 100 - Foundations of Education Assistant Practice
EA 101 - Foundations of Child Development
EA 102 - Behaviour Supports in School Settings
EA 103 - Learning Support Strategies
EA 104 - Supporting Students with Diverse and Complex Learning Needs
EA 105 - Safe, Inclusive, and Effective Practices for Education Assistants
EA 106 - Professional Practices for Education Assistants
EA 107 - Education Assistant Practicum
FAQ
The program is approximately 4/5 months (full-time) and 10 months (part-time). This includes classroom/online instruction and a supervised practicum.
- Students in the full-time program should expect to spend 2 – 4 hours per day studying and completing coursework in addition to the 4 hours of synchronous online classes, Monday to Friday.
- Students in the part-time program should expect to spend 5 hours per week studying and completing coursework in addition to synchronous online or in person classes 2 evenings and some Saturdays per week.