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Diploma in Educational Assistant / Human Service Worker

The Educational Assistant / Human Service Worker program aims to prepare learners for a rewarding career in community and school-based human services. The program is founded in a strong understanding of community living values and ethics. The coursework and work placements facilitate the development of strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, knowledge and awareness. Graduates leave the program with a suite of advanced therapeutic and educational skills.

Learners will develop the capacity to work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams, focused on the psycho-social-emotional welfare of persons-served. 

After successfully completing the program, graduates will work on the frontline with vulnerable children, youth and adults across various educational and community-based (non-medical) settings. These include schools, community inclusion programs, youth programs, drop-in centres, shelters, group homes, community mental health programs, and outreach programs.

Career Occupations

Educational Assistant (AKA Special Education Teaching Assistant)
Community Support Worker
Community Inclusion Worker
Drop-in Centre Worker
Group Home Worker
Life Skills Worker
Aboriginal Outreach Worker
Residential Support Worker
Community Mental Health Worker
Community Outreach Worker
Respite Worker / Provider
Homeshare Provider

Completion Requirements

The learner is required to:
• Complete all coursework;
• Achieve a score of 70% or greater in the courses EA/HSW 110, 110, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 230, 300, 310 and 320;
• Achieve a Satisfactory or better rating during Initial Practicum EA/HSW 140 and Advanced Practicum EA/HSW 240; and,
• Successfully complete an Individual Capstone Project; Team Capstone Project and Final Exam.

Courses in program

EA/HSW 100 – Developing Professional Capacity
EA/HSW 110 – Fundamental Roles, Values & Ethics
EA/HSW 120 – Developmental Psychology
EA/HSW 130 – EA/HSW Competencies A
EA/HSW 140 – Initial Practicum
EA/HSW 200 – Performing with Professionalism
EA/HSW 210 – Applying Principles & Ethics
EA/HSW 220 – Applied Psychology
EA/HSW 230 – EA/HSW Competencies B
EA/HSW 240 – Advanced Practicum
EA/HSW 300 – Employer Engagement
EA/HSW 310 – Driving Skills
EA/HSW 320 – Capstone Completion

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Apply clinical health, educational and social intervention skills in both classroom and community-based therapeutic settings.
2. Promote and model ethical behaviour; distinguish between ethical and unethical practices, and respond accordingly when unethical conduct is observed.
3. Consistently respond to medical, psychological and behavioural challenges in a safe, effective, dignified and proactive manner.
4. Communicate and work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team, demonstrating the ability to facilitate meaningful participation by marginalized persons and their supporters.
5. Utilize a Response-to-Intervention model, employing effective assessment, intervention, and reassessment practices in an ongoing fashion.
6. Conduct effective research and consultation when confronted with challenges beyond their current capacity.
7. Advocate for and model community inclusion and the reduction of harmful stigma.

Method of Evaluation

In addition to the assignments needed for completion of courses, students must successfully complete the following:
• Advanced Practicum Project
• Completed on second work placement
• Must be an example of a real-world, multi-step plan and intervention led by the student, under the supervision of the instructor and host
• Three Capstone Assessments
• Individual Capstone Project
• Applied Behavioural Analysis Literature-Researched Essay, OR
• Sample Case-based ABA Program
• Team Capstone Project
• Student-led Community Seminar, OR
• Student-led Video Production, OR
• Presentation of a Student-led Community Development Project
• Final Exam
• Delivered at the end of the program
• Covering all aspects of the program

Tuition and Fees (Domestic)

Tuition: $11,140
Application Fee (non-refundable): $200
Materials Fee: $300
Assessment Fee: $100

*Assessment fee not mandatory, only for students writing RBCo English Placement Exam
*all prices are in Canadian Dollar

Tuition and Fees (International)

Tuition: $17,924
Application Fee (non-refundable): $300
Materials Fee: $300
Assessment Fee: $100

*Assessment fee not mandatory, only for students writing RBCo English Placement Exam
*all prices are in Canadian Dollar

Admission Requirements

For admission in the program, applicant must meet ONE of the criteria from #1 to 3 and #4, 5 and 6. Applicants seeking financing from StudentAid BC must meet criteria described under #1.
1. The student has graduated from grade 12 or equivalent (B.C. high school diploma, B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma, General Educational Development) or an equivalent secondary school completion from another jurisdiction,
OR
2. Secondary school completion (equivalent to BC grade 12) from a jurisdiction where English is a primary language, official language and the language used for education.
OR
3. Apply as a mature student who did not graduate from high school but is at least 19 years of age and provide
proof of English language proficiency passing one of the following:
• Grade 12 or higher-level English course.
• High School English 12: At least C from an Englishspeaking country – list given on above mentioned link under #2.
• University or College level English course (non‐ESL): At least C from an institution where English is the language of instruction.
• RBCo English Placement Exam: 75%
• Completion of RBCo ESL Level 5 (minimum 75% marks) or equivalent from a recognized institution in Canada or English-speaking country.
• Completion of at least 12 credits from a postsecondary institution in Canada or from a country where English is the primary language, official language, and the language of instruction.
• English Language Test with minimum score as follow:
(only valid for two years):
 TOEFL: 60 iBT*
 IELTS: 6.0
 Duolingo: 105**
 PTE-Academic: 51.6***
And
4. New Criminal Record Check via BC Criminal Records Review Branch (for both children & vulnerable adults).
5. Record of clear TB Test.
6. Letter of clearance from a physician.

COUNTRIES WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE SYSTEMS / INSTITUTIONS

Countries with English language systems / institutions (where English is a primary, official language and the language used for education)
American Samoa/ Anguilla/ Antigua/ Australia/ Bahamas/ Barbados/ Belize/ Bermuda/ British Virgin Islands/ Cayman Island/ Canada*/ Dominica/ Falkland Islands/ Fiji/ Ghana/ Grenada/ Guam/ Guyana/ Irish Republic / Jamaica/ Kenya/ Malta/ Mauritius/ Montserrat/ New Zealand/ Seychelles/ Singapore/ South Africa/ St. Kitts and Nevis/ St. Lucia/ St. Vincent/ Trinidad and Tobago/ Turks and Caico Islands/ Uganda/ United Kingdom (England, Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland)/ United States of America (USA)/ US Virgin Islands

*Applicants educated in Quebec at an institution where the language of instruction was not English, must meet the current English language proficiency requirements.

Overview

Educational Assistant and Human Service Worker Certificate

Language of instruction: English

Length: 1100 hours for 40 weeks (full time) / 80 weeks (part-time) + 220 hours Practicum

Next intake date: Two intakes per year, September and February

Program Duration

Hours of Instruction:
1100 hours

Weeks of Instruction:
40 weeks (full-time) / 80 weeks (part-time)

Hours of Homework:
10-15 hours per week

Practicum Hours:
220 hours

Delivery Method:
In Class

Blended

Completion Requirements

Must successfully pass all courses with 50% or more grades overall and have an attendance of at least 75% overall.

PTIB Approved

Educational Assistant / Human Service Worker was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institution Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.