Education Assistant and Community Support (EACS), Certificate

Creating inclusive communities of practice. Ten months at Camosun can prepare you for employment in human services organizations, schools, group homes, day programs and community settings.

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Check our current program availability.

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Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Work experience

Clinical/fieldwork placement

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Human Services

Length

10 months full-time or 2 years part-time

Exploring Inclusive Education

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Welcoming diversity

Start in September

The Education Assistant and Community Support program prepares you to support individuals with acquired and/or developmental disabilities both ethically and professionally in the context of home, school, work, and community settings

HHS Student Handbook 

Current information for School of Health and Human Services students and EACS program-specific handbook

Make a difference

As an Education Assistant and Community Support (EACS) student, you’ll acquire the knowledge, skills and values necessary to provide and advocate for the rights of individuals with diverse needs, in order to facilitate inclusion and community participation.

Your classroom and practicum experiences will prepare you for work in school, home, work, and other community settings where people with acquired and/or developmental disabilities learn, work, live and socialize.

We'll help you succeed

Through the 3 semesters of the EACS program, you will acquire the skills and knowledge needed to promote and advocate for the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

Program courses are designed so that upon graduation you will be able to apply your knowledge of community supports, holistic well-being, professionalism, and disability issues to your work with families, in individualized arrangements, and human service organizations.

Employment

Graduates work as part of a professional team in community, home, school, and day program settings to support children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

Career paths include a range of community-based positions such as education assistants, residential counsellors and job coaches. Employers include non-profit and private organizations, public and private school settings, as well as families and persons with disabilities.

Transfer opportunities

Completion of this certificate provides you with transfer credits toward year 2 of the Community, Family and Child Studies Diploma. It also provides you with transfer credit to some degree programs (e.g. School of Child and Youth Care and Social Work), at other BC institutions such as the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University.

Consult the advising centre of the university of your choice or check with a Camosun College Academic Advisor for transfer details.

We'll help you succeed

Are you inspired by the thought of working for equality, fairness and freedom for all? Are you intrigued by the thought of establishing a career based on positive change, working with individuals and families in a variety of community and social service settings? If you answered yes to all the above, then EACS is the perfect path for you. Our curriculum is based on contemporary research and grounded in principles of social justice, strengths-based practice, and self-determination.

The learning environment in the program is a co-operative one - all learners contribute, and all learn from one another. As you progress through courses and practicum placements, you'll become familiar with a variety of community services, and you'll gain experience supporting individuals and families.

Assess your readiness to be a student here.

Indigenous Priority Seating

Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions 

The School of Health & Human Services (HHS) offers Priority Seating for Indigenous students in all Health related programs.

Visit Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen - Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections (IECC) for information on how to apply.  

Any questions about the application process, please contact hhsindigenoussupport@camosun.ca

The Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions process, approved by the Board of Governors, supported by the Education Council, and approved by the BC Human Rights Tribunal, welcomes applications from all qualified Indigenous applicants.

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Program outline

The gifts we bring

People with disabilities are supported as valued members of society who have a multitude of gifts, talents and abilities. Class experience in this program facilitates innovative and experiential learning, projects, a student club for community engagement and the support of practice-based research.

What to expect

This program delivery is a combination of online and blended learning

Located at our Interurban campus, the EACS program is 10 months, full-time, with part-time options available. Courses occur at various times during the week and homework includes both assignments and readings. Keeping up with the readings is very important as it leads to richer in-class discussion and participation.

As the terms progress your class time will increase from 18 hours per week to 28, which includes a spring practicum placement along with a seminar and capstone course. This program covers content to prepare individuals to work in the school system as well as community settings.

Term 1

In your first term, you will take five courses. Core courses include community living foundations, health & wellness, and development & diversity.

Term 2 & Practicum

In your second term, you will participate in your first practicum placement plus take four courses. In your third term, you will dedicate your time to your final practicum through a 24 hour a week placement along with a seminar and capstone course, totaling 28 hours per week.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Education Assistant and Community Support, Certificate

$4,877* (domestic)
$18,160** (international)

Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.

Student fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards 

Curriculum & courses

Admission requirements

One of:

  • C+ in English 12 
  • C in English 12 Camosun Alternative  

And all of:

  • Attendance at an Information Session. An online option of the Information Session is available for anyone unable to attend in person
  • *Experience: Submit proof of 40 hours of directly related work, volunteer or life experience within the past five years.

*Camosun is waiving this 40 hours admission requirement for the Fall 2023, Fall 2024 and any potential offerings in Winter 2025 of the EACS Certificate Program intakes.

Your volunteer experience must be with individuals in the community (school or otherwise) who have developmental disabilities such as intellectual, physical, sensory and/or brain-based disabilities. The purpose of this is to ensure that you have had some experience with the individuals that the program is focused on in terms of practice in both the community or school settings. 

Please note, generalized settings do not count towards your volunteer time; the setting must be related to disability. In addition, if you have a family member with a disability, this could count towards half of the required hours.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...

Ready to get started?

Apply now

Check our current program availability.

Missing admission requirements?

You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.

Need help applying?

Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.

Contact us

If you have admissions questions contact us today!

If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your Health and Human Services classes contact hhsinfo@camosun.ca

Faculty/staff profile

Jeanne Puritch

Jeanne Puritch

Chair, ELC and EACS

puritchj@camosun.ca
250-370-4673
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

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Asha Rao

Instructor, Program Leader

raoa@camosun.ca
250-370-4654
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

Miriam

Miriam Curtis

Practicum Coordinator

curtism@camosun.ca
250-370-4657
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

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Meaghan Feduck

Instructor, Education Assistant and Community Support (EACS)

feduckm@camosun.ca
250-370-4295
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio

Lansdowne spring campus

Learn More

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar. 

Contact information

School of Health and Human Services

Campus location

Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW) 207

Location link

Interurban Campus

250-370-4072

hhsinfo@camosun.ca


 

Admissions questions: