Education Assistant and Community Support, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Area of Study

Human Services

Study options

Full-time

Part-time

Work experience

Clinical and fieldwork placement

Open to International

Yes

Length

10 months full-time or 2 years part-time

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At a glance image

Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health & Wellness

Welcoming diversity

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.

EACS Info Sessions Slides (TBA)
Find out more about upcoming networking and information sessions occurring at Camosun.
HHS Student Handbook
Current information for School of Health and Human Services students and EACS program specific handbook sections.

Priority seating for Indigenous students
Priority seating is available to students of Indigenous ancestry.

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.

An investment in caring

Invest in yourself! Ten months at Camosun can prepare for employment in human services organizations, schools, group homes, day programs and community settings.

Estimated tuition

Effective from September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

$4,061 (domestic)

$16,960 (international)

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.

Curriculum & courses

Admission Requirements

Ready to get started? Get your application in for the September intake.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

One of:

C+ in English 12
C in Camosun Alternative

And all of:

Attendance at a scheduled Education Assistant and Community Support program Information Session. If you are unable to attend a scheduled session, please contact the Program Leader.
Experience: Submit proof of 40 hours of directly related work, volunteer or life experience within the past five years.*

*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.

Our Teaching Staff

Camosun College is fiercely proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students’ individual journeys.

Jeanne Puritch

Chair of Community, Family and Child Studies Department

Jeanne is the Chair of the Community, Family and Child Studies Department at Camosun College. Programs in this department include: EACS Certi ... Read more