Certificate [Educational Assistant/Community Support] From North Island College

The Educational Assistant/Community Support program is offered over 10 months at the Comox Valley campus, and is divided into three terms. Interviews for the program are conducted in December, February, April, and June. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-qualified, first-seated basis. Completed applications must be submitted prior to interview. Applications for the Comox Valley campus should be submitted by May 31st for the final interview session in June. The first term includes six courses: five theory courses and one practice experience. The theory courses provide a base for enhancing communication skills. Students learn a variety of frameworks for analyzing the structure and problems within society, and explore the different models for supporting families and individuals. The practice experience introduces students to community agencies and resources, and includes 20 hours of service in a community agency or school. During the second term, students explore in-depth theories, skills, and supports required for educational assistance work. Students also have a supervised placement in a community agency or school, and participate in a weekly seminar to discuss, reflect, and learn from the practical experience. The third term consists of six weeks of full-time supervised practice experience in a community agency or school. Students also attend a weekly seminar to continue learning through reflection, discussion, and writing.