Domestic students
$4,897.83
total program cost
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
Blended Blended Online (scheduled) Online (scheduled) 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
$4,897.83 total program cost Domestic students: $4,898 total program cost
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 120-hour (4 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 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
- Domestic students: $4,898 total program cost
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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
PLEASE NOTE: This program is under review. Applications are closed for Jan-Sept 2027 while we make upgrades to the program. Applications will open once changes have been approved (est. Summer 2026).
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 hybrid: A combination of online synchronous and 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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Sep. 2026
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Vernon
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Online (scheduled)
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Open
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Note: Part-time. Online Synchronous, Mon/Wed 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. and some Saturdays. (CS PT 2nd Intake)
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Sep. 2026
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Vernon
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Blended
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Open
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Note: Part-time. Blended, Tues/Thurs 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. and some Saturdays (CS PT)
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Sep. 2026
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Penticton
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Online (scheduled)
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Open
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Note: Full-time. Online Synchronous, Mon - Fri 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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Sep. 2026
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Kelowna
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Online (scheduled)
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Open
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Note: Full-time. Online Synchronous, Mon - Fri 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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Sep. 2026
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Kelowna
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On-campus
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Open
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Note: Part-time. Face-to-Face, Tue/Thu 6 - 9 p.m. and frequent Saturdays
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Jan. 2027
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Distance
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Online (scheduled)
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Open
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Note: (PT) Part Time, Online Synchronous, Mon & Wed 6:30pm-9:30pm
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Jan. 2027
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Distance
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Online (scheduled)
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Open
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Note: Full Time, Online Synchronous, M-F 9:30am-2:30pm (2nd Intake)
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Jan. 2027
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Distance
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Online (scheduled)
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Open
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Note: Full Time, Online Synchronous, M-F 9:30am-2:30pm (1st Intake)
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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