<p>This program leads to a Red Seal certification. Visit our <a href="/go/plan/trades">Trades page</a>.</p>

The Education Assistant certificate prepares learners to support children and youth with diverse abilities in British Columbia K-12 classroom settings. The program provides blended theoretical, practical, and experiential learning while enabling you to document and synthesize their professional development through an Integrative Learning Portfolio. You will complete a practica within their communities allowing for practical applicaiton of classroom learning. 

Education Assistant Certificate

Northern Lights College

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1. High school graduation or equivalent
2. English 12 (C) or [equivalent](https://www.nlc.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/English_Language_Proficiency_May_2025.pdf)


Academic Admission Requirement

1. Completion of the NLC Application Form and payment
Copy of government issued ID with current full legal name
Submission of EA Entrance Questionnaire (see application package)
2. Comprehensive letter stating your background, interest, and goals for taking the program
3. Two current letters of reference (must be written and dated within a year of application) verifying your knowledge, skills and attitudes as a fit for the Education Assistant profession (one letter must be from a recent employer, and one must be a personal reference from a non-family member)
4. Certificate of good health signed and dated by a physician
5. Criminal Record Check (after acceptance into the Program)
6. All applicants currently residing outside of Canada and intending to study in Canada, must submit a Police Certificate (see Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) in English, for every country in which they have been a resident for the previous five years (not including Canada).  The Police Certificate must be received before a Letter of Acceptance will be issued.

Additional Academic Admission Requirement

1. A valid Solicitor General Schedule B Criminal Record Check (CRC) ("works with children" or "works with children and vulnerable adults") is a is required prior to registration in most of the ECEC Diploma courses. Failure to provide a valid CRC may result in withdrawal from the program. 
2. If your high school was not taught in English, you need to have IELTS Academics 6.0 overall, with at least 6.0 in each band. 
3. Dual credit students may submit secondary school transcripts indicating successful completion of English 11 and enrollment in an acceptable grade 12 level English course with an interim grade of C or higher. "
4. Visit NLC's Education Assistant Program webpage for full details on the application process (including the application package). 
5. Northern Lights College has partnered with Collège Éducacentre for delivery of the Education Assistant Certificate in French. For information on delivery of the program in French, see Aide pédagogique spécialisé - Aide enseignant - Collège Éducacentre (educacentre.com).
6. Students are required to have a computer that meets the minimum computer requirements. 

Admission Advice

Applications must be submitted by the following dates:

For the Fall (September) entry:  May 1
For the Winter (January) entry: October 1
For the Spring (May) entry: February 1

When you are ready to apply, use our [pre-application checklist](https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/go/resources) to make sure you have everything you need, and visit our [How-to guides page](https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/help) for more information. 

Northern Lights College

Education Assistant Certificate

Overview

Curious where your education can lead you? Have a dream job and unsure how to get there?