EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT - University of Calgary

 

Providing certification and professional development for Alberta's Educational Assistants.

 

The Educational Assistant Certificate has been developed and designed in collaboration with the Faculty of Education to fulfill the educational requirements and interests of Educational or Teacher Assistants currently employed in a classroom or for those currently volunteering in classrooms and aspiring to certification.

The University of Calgary Educational Assistant Certificate program offers you up-to-date information, practical strategies you can implement right away, and the opportunity to share experiences and expertise with other school based personnel.

Through this program, U of C Continuing Education provides:

  • Education and training that focuses on practical skills with a strong philosophical foundation
  • A cooperative educational environment in which adults learn from one another
  • Learning experiences facilitated by instructors who are knowledgeable and 'in touch' with the realities of the classroom
  • Relevant information and meaningful assignments within each course

Who should take this program?

This program will be of interest to anyone currently employed as an Educational/Teacher Assistant who would like certification; anyone interested in the field, such as school volunteers, support staff, and teachers; or, persons in career transition.

If you are planning to use this certification as a stepping stone to employment, it is recommended you check with your local school board to ensure the courses will be recognized in your area.

You may tailor your learning to meet your specific interest by choosing from the list of elective courses.

Timeline

The courses in this program are offered in three terms annually (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Each core course has an accompanying field work (practicum) component. Students are responsible for finding their own practicum placement with a recognized education provider in your community.

If you are currently employed as an Educational/Teacher Assistant, you can use your work experience to fulfill this requirement. Courses may be taken in any order, although we recommend you take Roles and Responsibilities of the Educational Assistant and Using Technology as a Learning Tool early in the program.

Students are required to take a Program Portfolio course to assist in the preparation of the final portfolio document. The program portfolio, which is a summary of program and personal experiences, is to be submitted after completion of all courses including core and elective.

Admission

Applicants are expected to have previous experience as an Educational/Teacher Assistant, or have a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer experience in a classroom or learning environment. A reference letter from a principal or teacher is also required. Applications are accepted and processed throughout the year.

Delivery

The U of C Continuing Education Educational Assistant program offers convenient and flexible scheduling that allows students to work around their other commitments.

Courses are offered in the late afternoon or early evening three terms each year - Fall, Winter or Spring. You may choose to attend face-to-face classes on the U of C campus, or live online classes at designated times from any computer connected to the Internet. A required course, Learning Online for Educational Assistants, must be taken prior to beginning our online course. It is possible to take the certificate completely online, with the exception of the practicum components.

To Apply to the Educational Assistant Certificate Program

You must be admitted to the Educational Assistant Certificate program before you can enrol in a course. To apply, go to conted.ucalgary.ca and click on the Certificates & Designation tab, then scroll to Educational Assistant Certificate.

To Enrol in a Course

Once you are admitted to the program, you can either call 403-220-2988 or toll-free at 1-866-220-4992 to enrol in a course. You can also go to conted.ucalgary.ca and enrol online.

Courses

Educational Assistant Course Descriptons Educational Assistant Course Descriptons 

NOTE: Students currently in the Teacher Assistant program or those who have completed the Teacher Assistant program can switch to the Educational Assistant program by visiting http://conted.ucalgary.ca/eacert/ta-students.jsp or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. 

Contact Info

Educational Assistant Certificate Program
University of Calgary Continuing Education
Business and Professional Programs
403-220-2988
1-866-220-4992 (toll-free)
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