Education Assistant Extension Certificate

• You must apply for admission to this program.
• A Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search is required by schools for practicums. Please see the Additional requirements section or contact edassistant@mtroyal.ca for more information.
• Each province has its own licensing regulations governing work in education. Research the necessary certification in your province of residence. Employment as an education assistant in Alberta is not subject to provincial regulation.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) [PDF] is a method of recognizing and accrediting the demonstrated knowledge that has resulted from prior work, academic and life experiences.

Now that you've been accepted, what's next?

1. Plan your schedule

Select your courses by using the Program Planning Guide (PDF). A Fastest Completion Path is laid out in this document for full-time students.

Full-time

To complete the program in the shortest amount of time, follow the Fastest Completion Path in the Program Planning Guide (PDF).

• Fall start - Complete within ten months.

Part-time

Want to slow things down? Register for as many or as few courses as fits your schedule. You have up to 6 years to complete the program.

2. Get registered

Now that you have selected your courses, the next step is to register. Select the courses listed on the right side of this webpage and follow the registration process.

3. Pay for your courses

Courses are paid for individually and payment for courses is due at the time of registration. Admitted students will be emailed information on registration deadlines for each semester. For a course-by-course fee breakdown, see the Program Planning Guide (PDF).

Financial Aid

This program is currently not eligible for provincial or federal government student loans or scholarships. If you have questions, email edassistant@mtroyal.ca for more information.

4. Get your textbooks

For course materials visit the Cougars Campus Store and search by Term and Department (XEDU).

Submit the following documentation with completed application:

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all high school and post-secondary institution(s) you have attended are required for Mount Royal to make an admission assessment. You are required to request the transcripts yourself. Final / official transcripts are transcripts which are sent directly to Mount Royal University from the issuing institution and remain in the original sealed envelope. All transcripts become the property of Mount Royal University and will not be returned nor photocopied for the student.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required for entrance to the program. Applicants 21 years of age or older who do not have a high school diploma are considered on an individual basis.

How to order your Alberta high school transcript.

Two professional references

Provide two professional reference letters demonstrating volunteer and/or paid hours with children and/or youth within the past 5 years (e.g., coaching, Guides, Scouts, early learning and childcare centres, school lunchroom program, classroom experience). References from relatives or friends are not acceptable.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency for the purpose of admission if their primary or first language (meaning main language learned and used as a child) is not English. Please see MRU English Language Proficiency Requirement.

Mount Royal University will place students in various K-12 classrooms throughout the Calgary area.

Police information and other background checks

This program includes periods of placement or observation experience with community institutions or agencies as part of the course requirements. Many of these institutions or agencies, either for statutory reasons (e.g. Protection for Persons in Care Act) or for policy reasons, require police information or other background checks from employees as well. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain, at the student's expense, the necessary checks. The checks will be provided by the student directly to the institution or agency.

Completion of course requirements and eventual employment in the field of education are dependent upon the clear results of the Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search. Students may be required to complete more than one clearance letter during their program of studies. If a student is denied a placement as a result of the Police Information Check requirement, they are then not able to meet course requirements and will be required to withdraw from the program. Issues of non-compliance will warrant the student being required to withdraw from the program. This would apply to serious issues such as situations of abuse of professional power or potential breaches of the Criminal Code. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the policies and procedures of Mount Royal University as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct and the Education Assistant Practicum Handbook. Students must be available for the entire practica course dates to accommodate varied placement schedules within school districts/divisions/boards.

Police Information Checks are normally obtained from the police department having jurisdiction where the student normally resides. For those who normally reside in the City of Calgary, the appropriate agency is the Calgary Police Service (https://policeinformationcheck.calgarypolice.ca/). Outside Calgary, students should contact their local police agency.

Who is this program intended for?

This is an admitted program for those individuals who want a career as an Education Assistant in the K-12 system.

What type of career options are available if I complete this certificate?

"There is not one specific career option for people who complete this certificate. It can be used as a great addition to your resume to help you obtain a position in many different work environments, including, but not limited to:

• Education Assistants at all levels in the K-12 education system (public and private locations)
• Child and Youth Care - Early Childhood Educator Level I
• Community disability programs
• Lunchroom supervisors/ Library assistants
• Summer camps
• Tutoring

Note: additional education and training may be required for some positions.

Do I have to take the courses in order?

This program can be taken full-time or part-time. Students can take one course at a time, but it is important to remember that some courses are prerequisities to others which may affect the order taken. Check the Program Planning Guide for more information.

There are also two 90-hour practicums required in this program. Students will be placed at various school districts.

How will I be graded in each course?

Each course has several graded assignments. These assignments vary per course; however, they are all designed to assess the outcomes of each course. These assessments include, but are not limited to, group projects, discussion board posts, short answers and quizzes.

How many hours am I expected to work on each course?

You should plan to access your D2L course site at least 3 times per week. Depending on the course, you can expect to spend approximately 6 hours per week reading material, completing learning activities or assignments, and attending Google Meet sessions. Larger projects may require more time.

Is attendance required for Google Meet sessions?

No, these sessions are not mandatory, but they are recommended. Attending Google Meet sessions allows you to get to know your instructor and classmates and provides you with the opportunity to ask questions about content, assignments or due dates.

How many courses can I take at a time?

You can take as many courses as your schedule will allow. There are no restrictions on the number of courses you can take at one time.

Will I get a job once I'm done the certificate?

While having a professional certificate will certainly put you in a favourable position when looking for employment, there are many factors to consider for each individual that it would be impossible to pre-determine your employment success. Our graduate statistics have shown that a significant percentage of past students have experienced a measurable increase in salary, responsibility, and/or activity after completing our programs.

Will Mount Royal help me locate career opportunities?

No, Mount Royal does not have a system in place to assist students with career opportunities upon completion of our certificate. However, there are periodic job postings advertised on our website.

Additional information

Refer to CE Student Information for more information.