The Diploma in Education Assistant prepares learners to support children and youth with diverse abilities in British Columbia K-12 classroom settings. This credential is grounded in the principles of positive, person-centred support and holistic development of individual potential. The importance of making personal connections to knowledge, content, and ways of being are reflected in course design, enabling Education Assistants (EAs) to support children and youth to become connected, competent, caring, and autonomous individuals.
The Diploma in Education Assistant comprises 20 courses, blending theoretical, practical, and experiential learning while supporting students as they continue to develop an Integrative Learning Portfolio.
The entire program is offered regularly through a blended model of online delivery, including asynchronous and synchronous modes of delivery. Students complete practica within their own communities provided options exist for acceptable placements. Students unable to locate suitable practicum placements in their own community may need to relocate to another community for one or more of the practicum courses.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2025. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion Guide)
Career Prospects
Qualified Education Assistants are employed in public and independent (private) schools around the province. Graduates of the Northern Lights College Education Assistant program may seek a variety of positions in elementary and secondary education settings, including Special Needs Support Worker, Personal Care Attendant, Settlement Workers in Schools and Playground and/or School Supervision Monitor. Education Assistants may be employed at any grade level, from kindergarten to high school graduation, to provide support to children with varying levels of special needs or they may provide general support in the delivery of educational programs to a number of children.
Prospective students are encouraged to research employment prospects for Education Assistants in their local community and school districts prior to applying to the program.
Details
Intakes
| Campus | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Length
61 credits (1100 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,653.03 | $ 152.75 | $ 997.96 | $ 4,803.74 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,774.80 | $ 153.98 | $ 997.96 | $ 4,926.74 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 978.39 | $ 828.00 | $ 13,536.15 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 12,710.00 | $ 153.97 | $ 978.39 | $ 828.00 | $ 14,670.36 |
Special Pathways
Graduates of NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma program will be granted the following course substitution:
Graduates of this program can receive course substitution towards completion of NLC’s SSWD program. See Social Services Worker Diploma for more information.
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- ece-ea-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements)
C. Submission of an Entrance Questionnaire (included in Application Package).
D. All applicants currently residing outside of Canada and intending to study in Canada, must submit a Police Certificate (see Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) in English, for every country in which they have been a resident for the previous five years (not including Canada). The Police Certificate must be received before a Letter of Acceptance will be issued.
Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Post-Admission Requirements
A clearance letter from the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, for a Schedule “B” Criminal Record Check (CRC);WORKS WITH Children or WORKS WITH Children and Vulnerable Adults must be received prior to registration.
Students who have completed a valid Schedule B CRC for another organization may share their results with Northern Lights College by completing the Sharing Form.
Note that CRCs must be renewed if they expire before the program is completed.
Under no circumstances are students permitted to complete any practical work without having a CRC on file with NLC’s Office of the Registrar. Failure to ensure a valid CRC is on file with the Office of the Registrar may result in a requirement to withdraw from the program. Students are obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize a CRC but are still enrolled in NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Program.
For information and regulations, see Criminal Records Checks.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements.
- Local education assistants working in local school district that have an MOU in place with NLC for discounted tuition pending seat availability must submit proof of employment from their school district.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | Five courses comprising a minimum of 15 credits and one practicum must be completed at Northern Lights College |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 Grade Point Average (GPA); minimum grade of C in all courses |
| Elective Requirements | Electives must include at least four (12 credits minimum) Specialty Electives |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Foundation Requirements:
All of:
- HDEC 100 – Essential Skills for Human Service Workers (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 101 – Human Development I (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 103 – Guiding and Caring (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 121 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits) OR FRAN 100 – Français Académique (3.0 credits; Educacentre only)
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
Specialty Requirements:
All of:
- EDAS 141A – Education Assistant Foundations (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 142A – Supporting Students with Exceptionalities (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 143 – Personal Care (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 144 – Curriculum Foundations (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 145 – Social Foundations of Special Education (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 146 – Understanding Learning Challenges (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 148 – Exploring Diversity (3.0 credits)
Practicum Courses:
All of:
- EDAS 152 – Practicum 1 (3.0 credits) OR APS 120 – Pratique réflective 1 (3.0 credits; Educacentre only)
- EDAS 153 – Practicum 2 (4.0 credits) OR APS 121 – Pratique réflective 2 (4.0 credits; Educacentre only)
Education Assistant Electives
Specialty Electives
Choose at least four:
- EDAS 240 – Language Development and Disorders (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 241 – Autism Spectrum Disorder (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 242 – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 243 – Supporting Children’s Mental Health (3.0 credits)
- EDAS 244 – High School Literacy and Numeracy (3.0 credits)
Open Electives
Choose one from the above (Specialty Electives) or the from following:
- ECEC 201 – Building Professional Family Partnerships (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 203 – Current Perspectives on Practice (3.0 credits)
- ECED 203A – Development 3 Infants and Toddlers (3.0 credits)
- EDUC 100 – Questions and Issues in Education (3.0 credits)
- EDUC 220 – Introduction to Educational Psychology (3.0 credits)
- EDUC 230 – Introduction to Educational Philosophies (3.0 credits)
- EDUC 240 – Social Issues in Education (3.0 credits)
- FRPC 200 – Roots and Principles of Family Resource Programs in Canada (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 102 – Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 104 – Human Development II (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 303 – Non-Profit Management (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 224 – Organizational Behavior (3.0 credits)
- WGST 100 – Women and Gender Studies (3.0 credits)
- OR any University Arts and Sciences course (3.0 credits minimum)
Additional Notes
1. Diploma in Education Assistant students who want to maximize course substitutions toward NLC’s Social Services Worker Diploma are advised to take HDEC 104 or ECEC 201 as an Open Elective. Course substitutions will be granted as follows provided HDEC courses were completed within six years with a minimum grade of C+: HDEC 100, HDEC 101, HDEC 103, HDEC 104, and HDEC 121 = SSWD 110, PSYC 211, and SSWD 215. Alternatively, HDEC 100, HDEC 101, and HDEC 103 = SSWD 110 and SSWD 215; ECEC 201 = PSYC 235 or SOCI 204.
2. Diploma in Education Assistant students who have previously completed NLC’s ECEC Diploma with ECED 210: Practicum – Diverse Abilities will be granted a course substitution for EDAS 148: Exploring Diversity.
3. Diploma in Education Assistant students who seek advanced standing in the JIBC’s Advanced Specialty Certificate in Community Care Licensing must take HDEC 104 as a General Elective. Consult the NLC program Chairs for more information.
4. Diploma in Education Assistant students who plan to apply to Douglas College’s Behaviour Intervention Certificate must take ECEC 201 as a General Elective. Consult the NLC program Chairs for more information.
Credential
Diploma in Education Assistant