• 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.

Effective Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the application process for this program is changing. Applications will be submitted online through OntarioColleges.ca (OCAS), and we will no longer accept emailed program application forms after this date.

• Only original or certified copies of academic records will be accepted. In order for transcripts to be considered official, they must bear an original seal/stamp and/or official signature from an appropriate signatory. We do not accept photocopies or photos as this will make them unofficial as the school seal will not show.
• Official transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution via email or an official credit service such as MyCreds™ – a secure digital credential platform that allows you to access and share the documents from anywhere in the world and at any time.
• You can learn more about MyCreds™, including privacy and security, at MyCreds™.ca
• For more information on admissions click here.

Click to access the Program Application Form

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

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.

Program Length

• You will have a maximum of 15 semesters (5 years) from the start date of your first course to complete this program.
• The minimum amount of time to complete a program is unique to each student and based on multiple factors:
• Your capacity: How much time do you have to dedicate to your studies. A person with more time is able to take more courses each semester and complete the program faster then a student that has additional commitments.
• Number of courses in the program: The number of courses in each program differs and this is a key factor when calculating a completion timeline.
• Course pre-requisites: A pre-requisite is a course that must be completed prior to taking another course. The number of course pre-requisites in a program can play a factor in how quickly a program can be completed.
• Course availability: Not every course is offered every semester. In some instances, students may need to wait until the next time a specific course is offered and this may impact their completion timelines.

Program Cost

Professional and Part-Time Learning offers courses individually with no upfront program cost. You pay for each course when you register, and most courses cost between $350 and $400. To see the most up-to-date prices, visit the “Current Course Offerings” section on the program page and select the course of your choice. The cost will be displayed next to the “Add to Cart” button.

This program contains three field placement courses.

For details, including paperwork submission and deadlines, 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

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

• 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 and procedures.
• Develop and implement strategies to promote and support positive school climates that contribute to a safe, caring and secure educational setting.
• Collaborate with members of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team by assisting in the development and revision of the IEPs of learners with exceptionalities.
• 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.
• Lead by example to promote empathetic, positive and pro-social behaviour in all learners to facilitate the development of social competence in learners with exceptionalities in accordance with their IEPs.
• Promote the development of independence in, and provide assistance to, learners with exceptionalities in their performance of routine activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in accordance with their IEPs.
• Develop and implement strategies to support learners with exceptionalities in the appropriate use of assistive technologies and daily living aids in accordance with their IEPs.
• Monitor, document and report on the behaviour, performance and progress of learners with exceptionalities in accordance with their IEPs.
• Prepare and present a plan for engaging in ongoing personal and professional development to promote competence in the educational support field.

Potential Career and Industry Options may include a role as a:

• Educational Assistant
• Learning Facilitator

Possible Work Environments

• School Boards
• Private Schools
• Community Facilities offering Special Education
• College and Postsecondary Programs

Have you completed all your courses and program requirements? If so, please complete an Application for Graduation form and submit the required fee to the Office of the Registrar. For more information, visit the graduation page.