Education Assistant and Community Support Worker - Certificate
Overview
Fully flexible program delivery! Theory courses can be completed online, in-person or a blend of both. Practicums in your home community. Highly flexible, highly convenient.
Have a strong desire to support others? Build a fulfilling career as an education assistant & community support worker, where you will work with children and adults living with disabilities, their families, teachers and other support professionals.
Have prior experience working in the community living field, in a classroom setting or a combination? You may be eligible for credits towards your EACSW credential.
Our program is designed to create compassionate, capable professionals ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of those they support. Here’s why our graduates chose Selkirk College’s EACSW program:
- Combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on practicum opportunities for the real-world.
- A career with high employment rates, diverse job roles, and pathways for further education or professional growth.
- Make connections with prospective employers with practicums in your region
- Learn from ‘first voice’ with wide variety of guest speakers.
- Small cohorts with supportive instructors committed to your success.
Consider this program if you are:
- Caring and empathetic
- Genuinely interested in working with people
- Comfortable advocating for others
- Flexible and able to adapt to diversity
- A good communicator
*This program may be eligible for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
Prepare for Leadership
- Get ready for work as an educational assistant, community support worker or job coach.
- Be prepared for lifelong learning and continued post-secondary education.
- Foster your commitment to personal and professional wellness.
- Develop your working knowledge of the importance of community partnerships.
Develop skills in knowledge (head), a solid value base (heart) and professional skills practice (hands). Assist others with life skills, recreation, residential and supported employment.
work with but also for myself and my larger community of practice.
Future Opportunities
Your Education Assistant & Community Support Worker Program Certificate serves as your prerequisite for entry into the following Human Services Diploma Specialty for a total of two years of study at Selkirk College:
The Social Service Worker Human Services Diploma Specialty can be taken by Education Assistant & Community Support Worker Program graduates, but additional bridging courses are required. This program also transfers to related universities.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate professionalism in practice consistent with the code of ethics and standards of practice of their respective disciplines
- Use effective interpersonal skills, including active listening, collaboration, self-awareness and conflict resolution within multi-faceted roles and contexts
- Understand and respect cultural differences and multiple ways of knowing
- Practice from an ethic of inclusivity
- Establish and maintain wellness strategies to assure work/life balance both personally and professionally
- Engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and reflective practice
Admission Requirements
Official transcripts from high school or post-secondary institutions (mailed directly from the Ministry of Education and educational institutions) showing the following:
- High school graduation or equivalent (mature students are welcome to apply)
- English Studies 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 60% or higher
- Two completed personal reference forms
- 30-hour work experience form completed by a supervisor who has observed the applicant in a volunteer or paid work situation is required
- Proof of a negative tuberculosis test or of a clear chest X-ray that is less than 6 months old for those who have been requested to have this from our community partners
- A current criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice must be completed within 90 days of program start date. Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit acceptance in field placement; acceptance into field placement is a requirement for program promotion.
- Current resumé
- Personal statement of interest (250 words)
An orientation session is required and will be arranged by the program designate.
Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services certificate program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. CERTIFICATE, ADVANCED CERTIFICATE& DIPLOMA PROGRAMS
Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services Certificate Program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.
2. PART-TIME STUDIES IN HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS
a) Acceptance to an individual course does not constitute admission to the program. All program admissions will be considered according to Part I, A: Admissions Requirements.
b) The ECCE, EACSW, SSW Certificate programs and the Human Services Diploma program may be completed on a part-time basis depending on number of spaces available. Students choosing to complete a program on a part time basis must meet with a program coordinator, councillor and/or School Chair at the time of acceptance to plan a course of studies.
c) Students who have been accepted for part time studies and are in good standing academically will normally be accepted upon re-application to the next term. Refer to Part II, Section B, Promotions re: academic requirements.
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a minimum of 60% or better in all semester courses.
B. PROMOTION
1. In order to progress to the next semester, the following requirements must be met.
a) Completion of all courses in the semester with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all semester courses.
b) Promotion to the second year of the Diploma program requires a cumulative GPA of 2.33 during the first year of studies or School Chair approval
2. Promotion to practicum will be determined by the following criteria:
a) A grade of "C" or better in all required courses as defined in Part II, C, Graduation Requirements.
b) Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit a student's acceptance in field placement agencies. Ability to be accepted into field placement is a requirement for admission and promotion.
3. A student’s performance will be reviewed by program faculty when:
a) Grades in one or more courses fall below a “C”.
b) Unacceptable behaviour, inappropriate interpersonal skills, and/or patterns of absence are displayed (as outlined in program policies).
c) On probation.
4. Considerations for practicum placement:
a) Practicum placements are normally completed within the College region.
b) To avoid a conflict of interest, students are expected to inform instructors of agencies where family and/or personal connections exist.
c) Practicum placements will be arranged by a program instructor.
d) Agency staff will be informed if a student has refused to sign a waiver authorizing the College to share personal information about the student with agency staff.
5. Students will not be placed in practicum based on the following:
a) The student has not demonstrated readiness for practicum placement.
b) Two agencies refuse to accept the student in practicum placement.
c) The student lacks means of transportation.
6. Practicum evaluation will be based on:
a) A review of the student's performance in relation to stated course competencies.
b) A joint review comprised of college instructor, agency supervisor and student.
c) Completed practicum assignments.
In order to graduate with Honors students must meet all program requirements with no grades less than a B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Courses
EACS155 - Foundations Of Practice
EACS 155 Foundations of Practice introduces students to the theory and philosophical perspectives necessary for working with individuals who are challenged by a disabling condition. Values regarding service delivery are explored through an historical review of the disability movement and an examination of new initiatives and trends. This course also examines the role of unions, advocacy and policy and procedures in support services and introduces students to professionals from various professional infrastructure sectors including licensing and ministry personnel. Through personal reflection and research, the roots of person centered support will be explored and students will develop their own personal and professional philosophy of support work.
EACS156 - Support Strategies
EACS 156 Support Strategies focuses on support strategies used with individuals who have disabilities. The analysis and understanding of behaviour as a means of communication is explored. Strategies are learned and practiced in context to support individuals with the development of pro-social skills, life, vocational, and academic skills. An awareness of issues related to healthy sexuality and the ethics of touch are explored. Emphasis is placed on the ethics of support work and effective implementation of strategies to support individuals with disabilities to be as independent as possible.
EACS160 - Classroom Support Strategies
EACS 160 Classroom Support Strategies I focuses on the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for paraprofessionals to perform their roles and responsibilities as members of a multidisciplinary team to integrate all children into inclusive school settings.
EACS170 - Augmentative Communication
EACS 170 Augmentative Communication explores the alternative forms of communications for people with little or no speech. Non-speech communication programming is examined through review of normal and disordered language and the strengths and weaknesses of various augmentative communication systems. Communication systems studied include sign language and other manual systems, pictogram/ideogram communication and electronic systems.
ENGL110 - College Composition
ENGL 110 introduces students to the world of scholarly writing -- reading it, thinking about it, and producing it as academic researchers. Students will explore how professional and/or academic writers across disciplines communicate to a variety of audiences. Students will practice active reading, writing and critical thinking skills by conducting scholarly research on a topic. This course aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to write effectively within academic contexts.
HSER174 - Interpersonal Communications
HSER 174 Interpersonal Communications provides the student with an opportunity to examine personal goals, values and attitudes; develop and practice listening and responding skills, and become more aware of personal strengths and limitations. This course is designed to help students gain self-understanding in order to be more effective in working with people.
PSYC100 - Introductory Psychology I
PSYC 100 Introductory Psychology I is an introduction to the methods, theory and practice of psychology as a science. Among others, topics will include motivation and emotion, learning and memory, biological foundations, sensation and perception. Other topics are added at the discretion of the individual instructor. Class demonstrations and activities are used to illustrate concepts. Teaching methods and resources in the course vary with the instructor.
EACS157 - Challenging Conditions
EACS 157 Challenging Conditions introduces students to the impact of specific challenging conditions on the individual, the family and the service providers' practice. Four foundational questions are addressed for each topic:
a. What is it?
b. What can it look like (describing a continuum)
c. What can we do with what we know? (basic skills)
d. Where can we find out more (critical thinking about resources)
EACS161 - Person-Centred Planning
EACS 161 Person-Centered Planning focuses on the need for planning, advantages and disadvantages of planning and the key elements of the planning process. The course examines how to identify and obtain information relevant to planning, formulation of long and short-term objectives, prioritization of objectives, and translation of objectives into action. Emphasis is placed on viewing, planning as a dynamic process, and analysis of human interaction as part of the planning process. Models for structuring positive interaction of all planning team members are reviewed.
EACS165 - Health and Wellness
EACS 165 Health and Wellness is designed to introduce the essential concepts of health and wellness with emphasis on six dimensions of wellness including: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, social and physical. Students will examine health and wellness from two perspectives. The first includes the examination of wellness in the students' lives with emphasis on developing strategies to increase resiliency and well being in the work place. The second dimension will focus on ways in which the wellness of others can be enhanced in a respectful, person-centred way that values personal choice and preferences. The course will emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes being self-directed and on understanding ways in which we can support change in others and ourselves. Lecture, interactive exercises and group discussions will be used to explore a variety of topics including: stress management, diet and nutrition, ageing, intimacy and relationships, immunity, safety, lifestyle, developing relationships and quality of life. The importance of professional accountability and authenticity in supporting the wellness of others will be emphasized.
EACS195 - Practicum I
EACS 195 Practicum I provides students with an opportunity to work and observe in an educational or community living setting under the direction of college instructors and on-site staff. The focus of this practicum is to provide students with an opportunity to interact with children or adults with challenging conditions, to develop objective documentation skills and to observe the techniques and procedures used by on-site staff. This is a 17-day practicum beginning with two preparation days.
FAM180 - Family Dynamics
FAM 180 Family Dynamics is designed to provide students with a variety of theoretical perspectives to understanding families. It considers the diversity of families through the lenses of the life course perspective and political policies. Family formation, parenting, separation and divorce and aging are all examined. Family issues are also considered, including marriage and death rituals, work and poverty, same sex relationships, disabilities and immigrants. Policies that affect families are explored through an examination of violence in the family and political trends. The course is intended to be a foundation for further study of families.
PSYC101 - Introductory Psychology II
PSYC 101 Introductory Psychology II covers topics include thinking and other cognitive processes, development of the individual, personality, mental disorders, health and social psychology. Other topics are added at the discretion of the instructor. Class demonstrations and activities are used to illustrate concepts. Teaching methods and resources in the course vary with the instructor.
EACS196 - Practicum II
EACSW 196 Practicum II is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities in field settings. It provides students with opportunities to learn experientially and to apply concepts from the classroom.
Practicum offers students opportunities to self-evaluate and receive feedback about their knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes in the field of Education Assistant and Community Support Worker.
Tuition & Fees
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.
Find Out More
We look forward to connecting with you! Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you.