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Educational Support (Two-Year Ontario College Diploma)

Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Code:
ES

Ontario College Diploma

Program Description

Durham College is pleased to offer the online Educational Support diploma program, which provides provincially recognized training via the Ontario Ministry of Education approved curriculum for the training of educational support staff. (Educational Assistants)

School-based placements will help you acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills needed to work effectively as an educational support professional, primarily with children and youth with exceptionalities. When you graduate from this program, you can launch your career as a non-teaching team member who works with teachers and other professionals to help meet student needs.

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) including Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 70%)
    OR
    Grade 12 equivalency certificate achieved through College academic upgrading
    OR
    Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older) with Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 70%)

    To view alternatives to the above Grade 12 English requirement, please visit Durham College's English Proficiency Requirement webpage.

  • All applicants submitting prior academic history completed outside of Canada must provide confirmation of equivalence to an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This can be coordinated through either of the following: www.icascanada.ca OR www.wes.org/ca
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills - Students who struggle with communications or whose first language is not English are encouraged to explore upgrading options.
  • Basic computer skills (e.g. word processing, data management, Internet) or completion of an introductory computer course before taking Computers in Education.
  • Clear Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for Field Placement. Without this, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency and may be unable to complete the requirements of the program.
  • 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.)
  • You must maintain an overall average of 60% or a GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate
  • A minimum of 25% of courses must be completed through Durham College.

Program Admission

Note: Please do not send official transcripts by mail or fax. An electronic copy of your transcript can be emailed to us at ppladmissions@durhamcollege.ca with your program admission form.

Students are required to complete and submit this form to indicate that the program's admission requirements have been met.

Click to access the Program Admission Form

This form must be submitted and an Admission Acceptance Letter received prior to registering for any courses.

Program Of Study

Students are required to print or save a copy of the Program of Study when beginning the program. This document contains critical details about program progression and graduation requirements specific to the academic year in which your program was started.

Click to access the Program of Study for the current academic year.

Students who began this program prior to the current academic year may contact the Professional and Part-Time Learning office at ppl@durhamcollege.ca or 905-721-3052 to obtain your Program of Study and graduation requirements.

Field Placement

This program contains three field placement courses.

For details, including paperwork submission deadlines and COVID-19 updates, please visit the Field Placement Page, and for specific program-related field placement questions, please review the Educational Support Field Placement FAQs.

Over the course of the three practicums, students will gain experience in various classroom setting as noted below. (Students shall not seek placement in a classroom where they are also parents).

ES Practicum I - elementary school

ES Practicum II - high school

ES Practicum III - specialized classroom with students with exceptionalities (students are permitted to repeat a school site attended for placement level I or II)

"Completion of the Educational Support diploma program through Durham College will be an asset to you when submitting an application for employment with the Durham District School Board for a supply or permanent Educational Support position." Durham District School Board

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be equipped to:

  • Respond to/and assist with personal care needs of learners in consultation with the educational team, specialists, and family members
  • Maintain a safe and professional environment that promotes the interests, protection, and well-being of learners and members of the educational team
  • Assist the student in attaining essential life and job related skills, work related vocabulary, money concepts, personal hygiene, appropriate social skills
  • Implement, under the direction of or with support from school personnel, individualized educational plans to assist and accommodate the varied strengths and developmental needs of learners
  • Adapt to the learning environments that support and accommodate the varied strengths and the developmental needs of all learners
  • Act in a manner consistent with the professional requirements related to all aspects of their work
  • Promote and model positive and pro-social behaviour in all aspects of their role with the learners, peers, supervisors, members of the educational team, and where requested, members of the learners’ family and/or guardians
  • Assist learners and team members to use assistive devices and/or technology and other educational resources as recommended or prescribed to support learning
  • Observe, track/record, and report information related to the learner and the learning environment as identified by school personnel

Career Options

Potential career and industry options may include:

  • Educational Assistants - School Boards
  • Private Schools
  • Community Facilities offering Special Education

Program Related Questions? Call 905.721.3052

If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please visit the Professional and Part-Time Learning OSAP Eligibility webpage.


Currently offered

Course Title Location/
Delivery Method
EDUC 2084Adaptive Computer Technology in EducationOnline
GNED 1587Artificial Intelligence (7 weeks)Online
GNED 1587Artificial Intelligence (7 weeks)Monthly Intake Online
EDUC 4080Autism Spectrum Disorder - Assisting Student Development for Educational SupportOnline
EDUC 2082Behaviour and Mental Health ExceptionalitiesOnline
LAW 2280Business LawMonthly Intake Online
LAW 2280Business LawOnline
WRIT 1981Children's Literature IntroductionOnline
WRIT 1981Children's Literature IntroductionMonthly Intake Online
EDUC 3084Classroom SkillsOnline
EDUC 3082Communication ExceptionalitiesOnline
EDUC 1084Communications for Educational SupportMonthly Intake Online
EDUC 1084Communications for Educational SupportOnline
GNED 1489Complementary Therapies IntroductionOnline
PSYC 2080Criminal Psychology - Criminal MindsOnline
PSYC 1080Criminal Psychology - Psychopathic MindsOnline
PSYC 1080Criminal Psychology - Psychopathic MindsMonthly Intake Online
ENG 1080Critical ThinkingOnline
ENG 1080Critical ThinkingMonthly Intake Online
CRIM 1080Cults and TerrorismMonthly Intake Online
CRIM 1080Cults and TerrorismOnline
PSYC 2580Development across the LifespanMonthly Intake Online
PSYC 2580Development across the LifespanOnline
GNED 1483Domestic and Workplace ViolenceOnline
EDUC 3081Educational Support Placement IOnline
EDUC 3083Educational Support Placement IIOnline
EDUC 4083Educational Support Placement IIIOnline
EDUC 2088Educational Support Placement PreparationOnline
ENVI 1080Environmental CitizenshipMonthly Intake Online
ENVI 1080Environmental CitizenshipOnline
EDUC 1081Foundations of EducationOnline
GNED 1380Global CitizenshipOnline
WRIT 1982Grammar for Writing ProfessionalsOnline
GNED 1484History of Indigenous Canadian RelationsOnline
CHLD 4581Human SexualityOnline
CHLD 4581Human SexualityMonthly Intake Online
EDUC 2083Inclusion and DiversityOnline
GNED 1488Indigenous Identity and Relationship to the LandOnline
EDUC 1088Learning Strategies For Educational SupportOnline
GNED 1381Legalization of Cannabis in Canada (7 weeks)Online
GNED 1381Legalization of Cannabis in Canada (7 weeks)Monthly Intake Online
ENG 1384LiteratureOnline
CCA 1585Management Leadership SkillsOnline
EDUC 1082Math in an Educational SettingOnline
EDUC 2080Personal & Interpersonal DynamicsOnline
PSYC 1083Personality PsychologyOnline
EDUC 4082Physical and Multiple ExceptionalitiesOnline
PFP 8215Politics and Public AdministrationOnline
EDUC 1080Safety in an Educational SettingOnline
GNED 1474Science of Popular Diets: Impact of Nutrition on Human WellnessOnline
PSYC 1051Selected Topics in PsychologyMonthly Intake Online
PSYC 1051Selected Topics in PsychologyOnline
GNED 1481Social Media and SocietyOnline
SOCI 1051Sociology IntroductionMonthly Intake Online
SOCI 1051Sociology IntroductionOnline
HLTH 1387Stress, Wellness & NutritionOnline
HLTH 1387Stress, Wellness & NutritionMonthly Intake Online
EDUC 1083Technology in EducationOnline
GNED 1491The Game of Soccer and its Impact on SocietyOnline
EDUC 1185Total Communication ESOnline
EDUC 1180Transition PlanningOnline
GNED 1487Truth & ReconciliationOnline
GNED 1281Western: A Study in the Film GenreOnline
RELG 1980World Religions: Western and Eastern TraditionsOnline