Career Potential

Graduates of The Educational Assistant Certificate Program qualify for Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certification through Child Care Staff Certification, Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services upon completion of their certificate.

Students who obtain 45 hours in an Early Childhood course can apply for Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certification from the Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services

Credentials

Certificate

Educational Requirements

• High School Transcripts, including English Language Arts 30-1 at 55% or English Language Arts  30-2 at 60%
• Math 10-3
• Students who do not meet admission requirements can contact student services regarding opportunities for placement testing. * Students must submit an application to the program to start the process.

Other

• Criminal Record Check, Child Youth Information System Document (formally CWIS) Alberta Child and Youth Services
• Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements on our Moodle page

Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.

Transferability

Transferability to other provincial colleges is available. Some courses are transferable to the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate program. 30 block credit transfer to the Athabasca University BPA program.

Program Start/End Dates
Application is on a continuous basis. Registration is monthly; you can enroll at any point in the academic year if you have the program prerequisites.You must apply, pay the application fee and meet the entrance requirements by the application deadline for the course you are applying to start on. The start dates and the application/entrance requirement deadlines for each course are as follows.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I – Start Date: 18 September 2023, Application Deadline: 18 August 2023

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION – Start Date: 21 August 2023, Application Deadline: 21 July 2023

INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGE & LITERACY FOR EDUCATION ASSISTANTS – Start Date: 23 October 2023, Application Deadline: 23 September 2023

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EA – Start Date: 20 November 2023, Application Deadline: 20 October 2023 

INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE – Start Date: 2 January 2024, Application Deadline: 24 November 2023

OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT – Start Date: 29 January 2024, Application Deadline: 24 November 2023

PROGRAM DESIGN – Start Date: 26 February 2024, Application Deadline: 26 January 2024

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES – Start Date: 25 March 2024, Application Deadline: 25 February 2024

GUIDING BEHAVIOUR – Start Date: 29 April 2024, Application Deadline: 29 March 2024

INTRODUCTORY MATH LEARNING – Start Date: 27 May 2024, Application Deadline: 27 April 2024

Location
Online Delivery

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Tuition Deposit - $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)

2023-2024 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:

Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $131.56. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $131.56.

Other mandatory fees Fall semester

Other mandatory fees Winter semester

Other mandatory fees Spring semester

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Need help funding your education? Check out our  funding options.

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

students will need regular access to a computer with a webcam and an internet connection. High speed broadband access is highly recommended for the optimal learning experience.

For technical requirements, visit our Moodle page.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

• HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I

  Course ID: ECDE100

  Name: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  In this course, the learner will explore the major theories of human development and will focus specifically on birth to age twelve. Areas of study will include physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

  Fall Term

• WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

  Course ID: ENGL100

  Name: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  English 100 emphasizes fundamental English writing skills: grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and additional mechanics. The course provides instruction in conducting research, documenting sources of information, avoiding any suspicion of plagiarism, and creating a basic outline to structure and organize ideas in a five-paragraph essay. Students will submit all tests and assignments to Moodle for evaluation.

  Fall Term

• INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGE & LITERACY FOR EDUCATION ASSISTANTS

  Course ID: EDAS112

  Name: INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGE & LITERACY FOR EDUCATION ASSISTANTS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course will focus on how children develop language and literacy skills in school settings. It will include a history of philosophy in language and literacy learning as well as current practice and trends. Developmentally appropriate practice, language in diverse families, and the role of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in literacy will be explored.

  Fall Term

• PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Course ID: EDAS103

  Name: PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Hours: 140

  Credits: 2

  This field practicum consists of full-time supervised placements with appropriately qualified staff for four weeks. Students are placed in daycares, kindergartens, Head Start programs preschool programs, and other school classrooms. During the practicum, time is designated for integration seminar activity. Students are expected to integrate course theory in and with field placement experiences.

  Fall Term

• ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EA

  Course ID: EDAS122

  Name: ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EA

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course provides students with the knowledge required to work professionally and effectively with classroom teachers and in the overall school environment. Students become knowledgeable about professional ethics, ATA policy regarding assistants in the school, school policies and related operational matters, code of conduct, job descriptions, and role clarifications.

  Fall Term 

• INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE

  Course ID: RSER103

  Name: INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  Interpersonal Communications skills are such a vital part of human services. This course provides learners with an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the basic communication concepts and skills, to examine their everyday communication behaviors, and apply their new knowledge and self-awareness to their own experience. The main goal of this experience is to help learners expand their repertoire of skills for communicating more effectively.

  Winter Term

• OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT

  Course ID: RSER102

  Name: OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  RSER 102 involves the study and development of basic behavioral observation, assessment, and program planning strategies that are fundamental to assisting persons with developmental disabilities. Techniques of objective behavioral description, observation, and recording of behavior are emphasized.

  Winter Term

• PROGRAM DESIGN

  Course ID: RSER122

  Name: PROGRAM DESIGN

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  RSER 122 is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the principles of applied behavior analysis and its utility in designing behavioral programs within the context of Individual Program Plans (IPPs)/Instructional Support Plan (ISPs). Students will be taught to design and implement plans that assist persons with disabilities to learn new or adapt existing behaviors. Programming strategies considered will be transferable to a wide variety of settings, ages, and abilities. It is expected that students will utilize their observation and assessment skills (RSER 102) as a prerequisite to effective program design.

  Winter Term

• DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

  Course ID: RSER101

  Name: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This is an introductory course to disability studies and provides students with an opportunity to explore the lives of persons with disabilities including families, special needs, diverse characteristics, and lifestyles.

  Spring Term 

• GUIDING BEHAVIOUR

  Course ID: ECDE111

  Name: GUIDING BEHAVIOUR

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  Learners will gain an understanding of the skills required for effective intervention techniques designed to positively and appropriately guide the socio-cultural appropriate behavior of preschool and school-age children, thereby, nurturing a safe and healthy environment for children and staff.

  Spring Term 

• PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Course ID: EDAS123

  Name: PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Hours: 140

  Credits: 2

  This practicum is a four-week placement (140 hours) in an assigned educational setting. Students assume duties and responsibilities, as assigned by the practicum on-site supervisor, and are responsible for arrangements necessary to complete College expectations and assignments. There is time designated for an online Integration Seminar. Prerequisite: EDAS 103 or have approved advanced credit.

  Spring Term

• INTRODUCTORY MATH LEARNING

  Course ID: EDAS113

  Name: INTRODUCTORY MATH LEARNING

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course will focus on developing mathematical concepts, skills, and abilities at the pre-math, early math, elementary, middle school math levels, and some high school level math. The emphasis will be on the role of the educational assistant in the selection of effective and appropriate strategies used when providing math assistance to students. Curriculum design and programming will include a specific emphasis on mathematical experience.

  Spring Term