Yukon College Home Programs Education Assistant

Education Assistant

School of Health, Education and Human Services
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Ph: 867-668-8845 FX 867-668-8805

Program Overview

The Educational Assistant Certificate program (EACP) is designed to integrate theory and practice associated with providing support to individuals with exceptionalities in the public school system. The program is based on the guiding principle that all human service paraprofessionals need training that ensures the acquisition of knowledge, the competent use of required skills, and the value of caring and respecting individuals leading to the realization of individual potential and inclusion. The intention is to use this certificate program as both a professional development opportunity for current employees and as pre-employment training for indivuduals seeking employment with the Department of Education, Government of Yukon as an Educational Assistant or Remedial Tutor.

Instruction Format

A substantive portion of this program will be available using Yukon College’s Distributed Learning systems and supported by the Department of Education’s own distance learning systems. Coursework is largely based on experiential as well as reflective learning strategies. Thes include group work, discussion, practicum experiences, reflective journaling, and portfolio development.

Required Courses

     
  • EA 109 - Supporting Children through Inclusive Education (3 cr.)
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  • ECD 215 - Interpersonal Communication Skills (3 cr.)
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  • EDUC 100 - Introduction to Education: Principles and Practices (3 cr.) - includes practicum
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  • EA 106 - Field Placement II and Seminar II (3 cr.)
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  • EA 100 - Program Implementation Strategies (3. cr)
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  • ECMP - 355 Computers in the Classroom (3 cr.)
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  • ECD 222 - Exceptional Individuals (3 cr.)
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  • ECD 121 - Human Growth & Development
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  • PMAB 001 - Prevention & Management of Assaultive Behaviour

Electives (two are required): FNST 100; FASD 100; CSW 104; ECD 115 with ECD 125 (4 cr); ECD 221; HHS 105 Note: Several of these courses are shared with ECD, YNTEP and CSW programs.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Educational Assistant Certificate program, a student must meet one of the following categories:

  • English 12 (minimum 65%) and Math 10 (65% Principles or Applications), OR
  • ENGL 050 (minimum B-) and Math 030 (minimum B)
    • with acceptable GED scores and YukonCollege Writing Assessment scores, OR
    • with acceptable scores on the Yukon College Placement Test (offered every Monday) and Writing Assessment (several drop in times are offered each week)
  • A conditional acceptance may be considered for those who have previous experience as an Education Assistant or Remedial Tutor and who do not meet any of the above criteria. Contact an advisor for information.

The following documents must be received prior to acceptance into the program:

  • Yukon College Application for Admission form
  • Official transcripts from high school and post-secondary institutions
  • A currently approved criminal record check (obtained through your local RCMP)

Other Requirements

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with a certificate, a student must successfully complete the 30 credit program plus the 2 non-credit elements of the program. Electives must be chosen from the EACP list.

Students are required to maintain a term grade point average of 2.0 as per the Yukon College Academic Regulations for certificate programs.

Transferability

This program shares courses with the Early Childhood Development (ECD) program, the Community Support Worker (CSW) program and the Yukon Native Teacher Education program (YNTEP). Articulation is in place for the ECD and the CSW courses with several colleges and universities in BC and Alberta. Further transferability is under negotiation with the University of Regina.

Employment

There are approximately 125 Education Assistants/Remedial Tutors employed in Yukon’s public schools. Training and education in this area is considered significant to future employment opportuntities as Educational Assistants. The EACP will also be of interest to Community Education Liaison Coordinators (CELCs) employed by First Nations to support student success, and to Directors of Education. It will be of particular interest to those employed/volunteering as tutors (LDAY is one example of an agency currently providing this service).

Duration

The program is offered on a part time basis over three years. This first cohort runs September 2009 to April 2012. Contact the School of Health, Education and Human Services if you are interested in further opportunities to take this program.

To succeed in the program students require a strong base in English, a foundational base in mathematics, good study habits and time management, and the ability to work independently and in small group settings. Comfort with participation by video conference will be important for students attending through distance education from the communties.