Program Length
- 8 Months
Credential
- Certificate
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
- tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
Become a teacher's assistant or community support worker
Do you want a career working with people? With VIU's Education Assistant and Community Support (EACS) Certificate Program, you get so much more than education assistant course or community support worker course. You graduate ready for a career in as little as eight months. You can work in classrooms, community settings and human service organizations supporting children and adults with disabilities.
Local school districts and community agencies in BC have a huge need for qualified professionals. With this certificate, you're ready for a career in only eight months, and you graduate with many career and educational options.
Flexible study options
Most of your classes are in the evening and some will be online.
Sign up to learn more
Practical experience in both fields
With this program you do two practicums, which gives you a chance to decide what kind of career you want to pursue. And you get real-world experience for your resumé.
Education experience
Get hands-on experience in the classroom working with children with disabilities.
Community support experience
Get real-world experience with a community agency supporting people with disabilities.
What can I do with an Education Assistant and Community Support Certificate?
With this certificate, you can work in schools or in the community helping children and adults with support needs. There is a huge demand for this work in BC.
Career options for education assistants and community support workers
- education assistant
- special education assistant
- autism support worker
- behaviour support worker
- community support worker
Some of these roles will require additional training.
About the Education Assistant and Community Support program
In this program, you learn to support and advocate for children and adults with disabilities. You explore current best practices in the field and apply what you learn in your practicums.
In your courses you explore topics like:
- inclusion
- behaviour support
- classroom assistance
- communication
- interpersonal communication tools
- disability justice and advocacy
- augmentative communication and assistive technology
Courses and Concentrations
| Courses Offered * | |
|---|---|
| One of: CYC 152 - (Interpersonal Communication Skills in a Therapeutic Context) or, ECEC 150 - (Interpersonal Communication: Theory and Practice) | 3 |
| EACS 110 - (Foundations for Practice) | 3 |
| EACS 130 - (Teaching and Learning Strategies) | 3 |
| EACS 140 - (Understanding & Supporting Behaviour Across the Lifespan) | 3 |
| EACS 150 - (Health and Wellness) | 3 |
| EACS 160 - (Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology) | 3 |
| EACS 170 - (Challenging Conditions) | 3 |
| EACS 180 - (Practicum: School-Based) | 3 |
EACS 190 - (Practicum: Community-Based)
| 3 |
| One of: ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research) ENGL 125 - (Literature and Culture) ENGL 135 - (Literature and Criticism) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
* The order of courses delivered is subject to change.
Admission Information
- General admission requirements apply
- English 12 with a minimum “C” grade, or equivalent
- Group interview
- Two letters of reference
- Résumé with covering letter.
Recommendations for Admission
- Volunteer or paid experience working with people who are mentally, physically or behaviourally challenged.
Notes on Admission
- Fieldwork and/or practicums will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students by mail regarding the requirements for a Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act. Students are advised that a criminal record may limit their practicum possibilities and their work opportunities in the Human Services field.
- For admission to the program, applicants will be assessed on past academic achievement, related volunteer/paid employment, writing skills, and performance at an interview with faculty.
- Applicants may be required to provide a letter from a family physician attesting to the applicant’s physical suitability to take the program.
Transfer Credit (from other institutions)
Vancouver Island University recognizes the academic knowledge and achievement of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies at other colleges, institutes, or universities. Credit is assigned on the basis of an official transcript, course outlines, and other supporting documentation. Transfer students must meet all of Vancouver Island University's admission requirements.
Student Transfer into Other Programs
Students who complete the Education Assistant and Community Support certificate will be able to bridge into other VIU diplomas and degrees such as the Social Services and Child and Youth Care diplomas, as well as the Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degree.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees per Program | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $169.73 per credit) | 5,091.90 |
| Student Activity fee (9 months x $20.37 per month) | 183.33 |
| Student Services fee (9 months x $22.49 per month) | 202.41 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (9 months x $28.87 per month) | 259.83 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies | 400.00 |
| Total | 6,422.47 |
Students are responsible for travel and accommodation expenses for practicum.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees per Program | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $815.77 per credit) | 24,473.10 |
| Student Activity fee (9 months x $20.37 per month) | 183.33 |
| Student Services fee (9 months x $22.49 per month) | 202.41 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (9 months x $28.87 per month) | 259.83 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies | 400.00 |
| Total | 25,803.67 |
Students are responsible for travel and accommodation expenses for practicum.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erin Johnson Phone: 604.485.8033 Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Teresa Swan Email: teresa.swan@viu.ca
Comments:
The Education Assistant and Community Support program is an 18-month certificate program delivered both online and in-class at the tiwsemawtx campus. The program will be delivered in-class approximately 4 days each semester at tiwsemawtx campus and the remaining coursework delivered online. We have intakes each fall and spring for our 3 semester rotation. Please contact Teresa.swan@viu.ca for detailed information.
|
|||
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | September 8. 2026 | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Education Assistant and Community Support certificate program has one intake each September.
Application Fee:
$46.06
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Helene Viau Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Helene.Viau@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Teresa Swan Email: Teresa.Swan@viu.ca
Area Contact:
Name: Cherie Anderson Email: EACS@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
For applicants hoping to join the Fall intake, all documents (transcripts, letter of intent, resume and two references) are due by August 14th, 2025. Except for the official transcripts, all other documents can be emailed directly to Helene.Viau@viu.ca. |
|||
International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$153.00
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Chair Contact:
Name: Teresa Swan Email: Teresa.Swan@viu.ca
Area Contact:
Name: Susan Lines, Program Assistant Email: Susan.Lines@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Helene Viau Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Helene.Viau@viu.ca |
|||
Beyond the EACS program
In the EACS Certificate, you earn 24 credits you can use toward other diplomas and degrees at VIU. You can ladder into these programs right after graduation, or you can return to VIU as your career goals change.
