Education Assistant Professional Certificate

Program Description
The Education Assistant Professional Program is a 6-month (25 weeks) employment ready certificate program. An accelerated program! Be out quickly and start earning a salary.
Complete 10 course requirements in six months that would take one year in a traditional delivery model.
Full time and Part-time course-by-course options.
Our program prepares you to work with children, youth, and adults.
The program consists of 5 week semesters and you will be enrolled in 2 courses at a time with 39 hours of instruction per course.
Additional Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training
You will link theory and practice through a 150-hour practicum in your specific area of interest and an additional 12 hours of professionalism classes.
Career and Employment Support.
Students who successfully complete all program requirements will be awarded an Education Assistant Professional Certificate. Graduates may transfer completed courses for course credit to the Columbia College Human Services Professional Diploma. You will continue onward through additional course work to complete a Human Services Professional Diploma designation.
Program Delivery
The Education Assistant Professional classes will be delivered to students through an online learning model. Each course will continue to be scheduled in their regular semesters, and will be expected to be delivered in the same time period as their face-to-face classes were. Classes may include (but are not limited to):

Interactive webinars
Discussion forums
Group work
Daily Tests
Synchronous and Asynchronous course activities
Oral presentations
Please note, further details specific to each course will be communicated to students by their facilitators, and/or the Program Chair, and will be provided in detail on the course Moodle pages at https://portal.columbia.ab.ca. Student Services and the Information Systems department will continue to provide students support during this new phase of their program. Technology questions can be directed to https://help.columbia.ab.ca

Practicum
The aim of our practicum placement is for you to gain experience and employment as an Education Assistant. You will be required to complete 150 hours of practicum experience over the six months you are in the program. This provides you with valuable hands-on experience in the field and prepares you for your future. You will benefit from the relationships Columbia College has built over time for placements where organizations value the maturity of our students and their acquired knowledge and skills. You will also have the additional experience of attending 12 hours of professionalism classes to prepare you for employment. Part of your Practicum and work preparation will additionally involve Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training.