Please note, there are a number of prerequisites for each of the EA courses.

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1 Dear Applicant: Thank you for your interest in the Educational Assistant Diploma program offered online at Durham College. Attached is information relating to the Diploma program, including Admission requirements, the Application process and all required application forms. The Program of Study and current course offerings can be found on our website at: -- select Online - "Certificates, Diplomas" - "Educational Assistant Diploma". The two letters of recommendation, the School Based Experience forms and your application form must be completed, signed by all parties and submitted along with all applicable documentation to Durham College before you can be considered for acceptance into this program. Students must be accepted into this program prior to registering for any of the courses except for Psychology Introduction. The remainder of the Educational Assistant courses listed under the Program of Study are offered on a semester and/or monthly intake basis. Please check the website listed above for start dates. Please note, there are a number of prerequisites for each of the EA courses. The introductory courses are as follows: Psychology Introduction (PSYC 1051), Foundations of Education (EDUC 1081), Working Safely: Safety in an Educational Setting (EDUC 1080) and Personal & Interpersonal Dynamics (EDUC 2080). Please refer to our website for the prerequisite information chart. Please review all of the attached information and if you have any questions, please contact Jayne Davis, Program Assistant at ext 2161 or via jayne.davis@durhamcollege.ca Cindy Foley Program Officer Distance Education Durham College

2 Program Description EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT DIPLOMA PROGRAM Durham College is pleased to offer the above online program which provides provincially-recognized training via the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU s) approved curriculum for the training of Educational Assistants. This is a very intensive program where the attitudes, knowledge and skills needed to work effectively as Educational Assistants (EA s), primarily with children and youth with exceptionalities will be developed through school-based placements. This program prepares the graduates to work as nonteaching team members with teachers and other professionals in meeting student needs. Admission Requirements Applicants to the program must meet the following MINIMUM requirements: 1. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) OR Grade 12 equivalency certificate achieved through College academic upgrading including Grade 12 English general (70%) or advanced, C or U 2. All applicants submitting prior academic history completed outside of Canada must provide confirmation of equivalence to an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 3. Mature applicants are considered individually. 4. Elementary and/or secondary school classroom experience (volunteer or paid). A minimum of 30 documented hours are required. These must be from the current academic year. 5. Two letters of reference detailing your involvement in the school site are also required. They must be on school letterhead and signed by the Principal and/or Teacher at that site. The letters should include confirmation of the hours, duties and that the school would be supportive of your application into the program 6. Excellent oral and written communication skills 7. Basic computer skills (e.g. word processing, data management, Internet) or completion of an introductory computer course before taking Computers in Education. Diploma Requirements All course requirements must be completed within 10 years Overall average of 60% or a GPA of 2.0 A minimum of 25% of the courses must be completed through Durham College

3 Additional Requirements for Field Placements All accepted students will be required to complete 4 field placements in schools. The following requirements must be met before you will be allowed to start a placement. 1. A criminal reference check is no longer required by Distance Education as part of your clearance requirements; however, your placement agency supervisor will require it as part of their approval process. (Vulnerable Sector Screening Valid within 3 months). (Please be advised, if you are asked to obtain one by your agency, it is recommended that you order this document from your LOCAL police department early, as it can often take up to 8 weeks for your police department to process these requests). 2. Current Standard First Aid and CPR-Level C. CPR-C will need to be updated yearly. Note: Individual District Boards of Education have specific requirements before a candidate may begin their Orientation/Practicum. Please ensure you check with your Board of Education. (i.e. First Aid, CPR, TB test, Medical, etc.) PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Over the course of the four Orientations/Practicums, students are required to gain experience in a minimum of three grade divisions (Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Secondary). A secondary school site must be selected for either one of the final placements (EA Practicum A - EDUC 3083 or EA Practicum B - EDUC 4083). For each of the final two Practicums, candidates will be focusing upon and spending the majority of their time with three students with different exceptionalities. Note: Candidates shall not seek placement in a classroom where they are also parents. *It is recommended that you start your Orientation I and II in Primary and Junior, and then complete the Practicum A & B in Intermediate and High School. *Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to contact their district school board to secure a school placement for the Orientation and Practicum courses prior to enrolling. An information package will be sent to students who register in an Orientation or Practicum course, which contains detailed information and forms regarding requirements for school placements. Students Important Note Please See Below It is the student s responsibility to refer to the following website Online Education on a regular basis for any updates/changes/revisions to the Educational Assistant diploma program. This site will contain the most current information required for student s use.

4 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM APPLICATION PROCESS Dear Applicant: Thank you for your interest in the Educational Assistant Program. Attached is the Application for the EA Program. All parts must be completed and full documentation included when returned. This information will be kept confidential and will not be returned to you after review for program acceptance. 1. Complete (or have completed and signed as indicated) ALL of the attached forms. Return original forms and keep copies for your records. 2. Attach the originals of all written material and references EXCEPT your certificates, diplomas, transcripts, etc. for which a PHOTOCOPY must be attached. DO NOT SUBMIT ORIGINALS AS THEY WILL NOT BE RETURNED. 3. Remove the first three pages and keep for your reference. 4. Send the application to: Durham College ATTN: Distance Education C-111 Jayne Davis 2000 Simcoe St. N. OSHAWA, ON L1H 7K4 Please Note: Application review will take approximately 2-3 weeks and you will be notified by regarding the status of your application. Yours truly, Cindy Foley Program Officer Distance Education Durham College

5 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT DIPLOMA Application Form Please PRINT Clearly Name: Address: Home Phone #: Work Phone # Address: 1. PREVIOUS COURSES: Attach a photocopy of your diplomas, transcripts, certificates and/or mature student test results. You must include your Grade 12 transcript/diploma. EDUCATION DETAILS TYPE DATES (YEARS) SCHOOL or INSTITUTION Secondary School PROOF ENCLOSED *photocopies only* Mature Student Standing College/University Non-credit/Interest 2. EXPERIENCE as an EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT in paid or volunteer positions. For each one, specify whether paid (P) or volunteer (V). DATES SCHOOL/INSTITUTION PRINCIPAL TEACHER(S) P or V

6 3. COMPUTER EXPERIENCE: Check off all of the items for which you have basic computer knowledge: Word Processing (e.g. Word) Data Management (e.g. Excel or Access) Internet Access 4. RELATED EXPERIENCE, including volunteer experience, in a position other than in a school (e.g. coaching, Brownies, Guides, Scouts, nursery schools, etc.) DATES DESCRIPTION OF ROLES/DUTIES 5. OTHER SKILLS/INTERESTS/ACTIVITIES which relate to the EA role (e.g. CPR, First Aid, Hobbies) 6. STATEMENT OF SCHOOL-BASED EXPERIENCE: Complete and have a PRINCIPAL sign the enclosed STATEMENT OF SCHOOL-BASED EXPERIENCE form. 7. LETTERS OF REFERENCE: Attach a minimum of two (2) original letters of reference relating to the number of hours and quality of your elementary and/or secondary school classroom experiences as an adult volunteer or EA, written/typed on school letterhead. Volunteer hours must be current within the year of your application submission. These should support the hours indicated in number 2 of this application. The letters must be completed by a school administrator or a teacher from this site.

7 8. OTHER INFORMATION: You may attach a resume, additional letters of reference, and any other information which might assist us in determining your eligibility for the EA program. I hereby certify that all information provided is true and complete, including any attachments, and I agree that my application may be rejected if I have falsified this application in any way, had anyone else complete it, or failed to provide all relevant information. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT: DATE: ALL of this documentation will be carefully reviewed and you will be contacted by within 2-3 weeks regarding the status of your application. Applicants must not register for Educational Assistant courses (excluding Psychology Introduction) until the letter of Acceptance has been received. Failure to comply with this direction will result in the student being withdrawn from their Educational Assistant course(s) and charged the standard withdrawal fee.

8 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM STATEMENT OF SCHOOL-BASED EXPERIENCE DURHAM COLLEGE APPLICANT: SCHOOL: PRINCIPAL: BOARD/DISTRICT: ***As Principal, I hereby certify that the applicant named above has completed the approximate number of hours of elementary and/or secondary school-based volunteer or paid experience in the current academic year. TYPE OF EXPERIENCE Direct student assistance with academic needs Direct student assistance with life skills or health needs. General classroom support Direct assistance to the teacher Indirect support in the school (e.g. shelve library books) Support of staff and students beyond the school (e.g. field trips) Other (specify) HOURS TO DATE DATE OF EXPERIENCE Other (specify) COMMENTS: TOTAL HOURS TO DATE This document is not considered official until signatures are completed on the following page. Page 1 of 2

9 APPLICANT S SIGNATURE: DATE: PRINCIPAL S SIGNATURE: (Must be accompanied by letters of reference and confirmation of hours on school letterhead) DATE: N.B. A Board office Supervisor/Administrator may sign in place of a Principal. ***************************************************************** DURHAM COLLEGE USE ONLY ***************************************************************** Notes: College Reviewer: Date: Page 2 of 2