About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0103 P0103
  • Delivery Length: 2 Years
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Overview

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals of all ages with exceptionalities?

Be prepared for two career paths in this unique dual focused program. As an Educational Support or a Developmental Support Worker, you are skilled and compassionate about supporting students and adults with exceptionalities in a community or educational based setting.

Highlights
  • Benefit from developing knowledge, skills and abilities to support people of all ages with a range of special needs in both educational settings and a variety of community agency settings.

  • 400 hours of practical field placement experience in both educational and community settings supported by a Field Placement Officer, and many lead to employment.

  • Graduates receive vocationally relevant certifications in Person Centred Training and Non Violent Crisis Intervention/Prevention.

  • Students have many professional networking opportunities through school boards and community agencies.

  • Benefit from this unique college program in developing knowledge, skills and abilities to work in education and community settings.

Career Opportunities
  • Boards of education
  • Developmental service agencies – community participation supports and services
  • Developmental service agencies – residential services
  • Private schools
  • Recreational programs for persons with special needs
  • Specialized agencies or associations
  • Self-employment opportunities
  • YMCA day and summer camps
NC Preferred Admission
This program grants preferred admission to qualified graduates from:

For detailed information, requirements and eligibility visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways/.

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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
CAPL1199 Computer Applications 3
COMM1140 Essential Communication Skills for Community Services 3
EDUC1124 Educational Foundations And Strategies 3
EDUC1154 Literacy Support and Strategies 3
EDUC1240 Professional Roles of the Educational Assistant/Support Worker 3
HDEV1122 Developmental Disabilities - Overview 3
RHAB1104 Activities of Daily Living Supports 3
Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
EDUC1125 Numeracy Support and Strategies 3
EDUC1226 Exceptionalities I 3
EDUC1320 Assistive Technology Across The Lifespan 3
EDUC1321 Person Directed Planning 3
PSYC1100 Introductory Psychology 3
RECL1221 Recreation for Inclusive Communities 3
PRAC1222 Field Placement I 3
Term three (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
COUN1221 Positive Behaviour Supports 3
COUN1425 Advocacy, Empowerment and Choice 3
EDUC1324 Differentiated Instruction 3
EDUC1344 Personal Development for the Workplace 3
PHAR1326 Pharmacology 3
SOCL1430 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canada 3
PRAC1322 Field Placement II 3
Term four (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
EDUC1398 Autism Spectrum Disorder: Effective Strategies 3
CMDV1427 Community Resources 3
EDUC1425 Exceptionalities II 3
EDUC1448 Professional Reporting 3
PSYC1323 Developmental Psychology 3
PRAC1422 Field Placement III 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. Provide educational support in compliance with pertinent education-related legislation, standards, regulations and policies, health and safety legislation and regulations, as well as organizational policies, practices, procedures and educational philosophies.

  2. Develop and implement strategies to promote and support positive climates that contribute to a safe, caring and secure educational and community-based setting.

  3. Collaborate with members of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team by assisting in the development and revision of the IEPs of learners with exceptionalities to meet their specific educational, physical, social and emotional needs.

  4. Implement components of educational support programs of instruction under the direction and support of the IEP team and/or relevant members of the school community.

  5. Lead by example to promote empathetic, positive and pro-social behaviour in all individuals to facilitate the development of social competence in individuals with exceptionalities in accordance with their individual plans.

  6. Promote the development of independence in, and provide assistance to, individuals with exceptionalities in their performance of routine activities of assisted daily living skills (ADLS in accordance with their individual plans .

  7. Develop and implement strategies to support learners with exceptionalities in the appropriate use of assistive devices and daily living aids in accordance with their individual plans.

  8. Monitor, document and report on the behaviour, performance and progress of individuals with exceptionalities in accordance with their individual plans.

  9. Prepare and present a plan for engaging in ongoing personal and professional development to promote competence in the educational/ and community-based support field.

  10. Provide support to persons with disabilities which facilitates growth and empowerment in ways which respects their dignity, autonomy, and decision-making capacity.

  11. Promote the development of inclusive communities.

  12. Research, utilize and evaluate emerging technological trends and tools to support Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:

These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.

  • Related volunteer and or cooperative/work experience
  • Leadership and Peer Support – Grade 11 (O)
  • Dynamics of Human Relationships – Grade 11 (O)
  • Human Development Throughout the Lifespan – Grade 12 (C) or (U)
  • Challenge and Change in Society – Grade 12 (U)
  • Working with School-Age Children and Adolescents – Grade 12 (C)
  • Recreation and Healthy Active Living – Grade 12 (C) or (U)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Program Requirements
Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required before the start of Term 2.
  • Students with criminal charges for convictions will be significantly limited in placement, clinical, and/or employment opportunities in this field. The decision of whether a student with criminal charges or convictions is eligible to secure a field placement ultimately lies with the field placement agency.
  • Field placements must be completed in order to graduate.
  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • This process may take up to 10 weeks or more and requires a visit to your personal physician and/or a Public Health Department.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C certification is recommended.
  • This certification is highly recommended by placement agencies and employers.

Physical Fitness
  • Please note that work as an educational assistant and/or support worker may require lifting up to 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds).
  • Additionally, some Boards of Education have instituted a fit for field test.
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Educational Assistance and Adult Supports program below.

  • From NC to
    Niagara University Bachelor of Arts in Education, Grades B-6 Liberal Arts United States
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Preferred Admission to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Pre-Community Services
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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This program has the most amazing team of professors, who are role models of how to support students of all backgrounds, abilities and needs. Not only have I learned so much through their guided lessons, but most importantly I learned how to properly interact with students, develop relationships, and work as a team through observing each of their unique teaching styles. I am forever grateful for their contributions to furthering my education and all of their guidance through this remarkable journey. They are all true examples of how to support and guide students to success. ‘Some superheroes wear capes, other superheroes teach students to become great Educational Assistants!’

Casey Jenkins, program graduate
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