Educational Assistant Certificate (2023-2025)

Program Start: 14 October 2023
Application Deadline: 7 October 2023
Location: Tisdale
Credit Granting Institution: Sask Polytech
Length: 2 year program

Overview:

If you like working one-on-one with students with different needs, and you want to see them included in the classroom, becoming an educational assistant might be the career for you. Educational assistants provide the all-important one-on-one support that makes today’s inclusive classrooms possible.

The Educational Assistant program is respected by school boards province-wide. We’ll teach you the skills and give you the hands-on experience you need to make a lasting difference in a student's life.

Your job will be to assist classroom teachers by working with children or youth with diverse learning needs. This Saskatchewan Polytechnic program provides you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need, including:

• basic care skills (lifting to feeding)
• classroom management and crisis prevention techniques and strategies
• communication skills and professionalism
• cultural awareness and family dynamics
• exceptionalities (causes, characteristics and accommodations)
• social, emotional, cognitive development (children and teens)
• supporting teachers in specific subject areas
• your role in the classroom

Requirements:

To qualify you must have

• Grade 12
• English Language Requirement

• You need to apply to the Educational Assistant program by completing an online application form, plus your high school and any post-secondary transcripts, must be sent to:

Sarah Haidey, Registrar
Cumberland College
Box 2320
Melfort, SK S0E 1A0
Fax: 306-752-3484
Contact by Email

• You may come into this program, even if you already have some of the courses listed. Please contact the Program Coordinator to discuss how this might affect you. 
• You must be committed to attending classes on the listed dates. Please note that this program is scheduled to be delivered periodically on evenings and weekends. 
• The number of class hours are based on the credit hours and credit units as outlined by SaskPolytech. 

 

** The tuition & student fees listed below reflects the total tuition amount & student fees for all 6 courses for 2023-2024. When course registration opens, the tuition amount per course will be visible. 

Tuition: $3,605*
Books & Supplies: $1,500*
Student Fees: $120
Health & Dental Plan: $252*

*Note: Tuition, Books and Supplies, Health and Dental amounts are approximate, based on last year's program and may change at anytime.

Notes:

• This program will be delivered on a part-time basis and will be offered from 2023-2025.
• First a student must apply, then upon acceptance letter will be able to register and pay for classes online.
• There is space for 15 students in each module. 
• Spots will be secured with a paid registration.
• Registrations will close 1 week before the start date of the module.
• For each module, there will be at least 3 days where you will have face-to-face classes and there will be at least 4 days of virtual classes you will need to attend. 
• BOOKS - you are responsible to order your books from the Saskpoly bookstore.  We suggest you order books at least 2 weeks before your class starts.  More details to follow in July.
• CANCELLATIONS:  If you choose not to take a course you must cancel 3 business days or more before the course starts to receive a refund.  If you cancel less than 3 business days before no refund will be received.
• Should you have any questions about program delivery - please contact the Program Coordinator - Sabrina McNevin 
• For planning your courses,  please contact our Advisor - bwicks@cumberlandcollege.sk.ca

• Accepted applicants may be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check and/or Vulnerable Sector Checks prior to entering the practicum component of the program. At the discretion of the practicum agency, the student may be declined access to a clinical or work placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Checks. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Checks are the responsibility of the student.

Careers:

Educational Assistant graduates work in elementary, junior high and high schools in communities around the province. School divisions offer full-time, part-time, and casual positions. You might be based in the classroom or resource room. You might assist with a lunch program or a before/after school program.

You can also explore career opportunities outside the traditional school setting—in youth centres, community centres, care facilities and alternative education programs.

Educational Assistant Certificate 2023-2025 (Part-Time) allows registration in the following courses