Teacher Assistant - Certificate Program

The Teacher Assistant program will enable graduates to work in educational settings under the supervision and direction of a teacher, providing support to students who require assistance in developmental, behavioural, and/or learning tasks. Graduates of the Teacher Assistant Program will be prepared to work with children in the school system from K-12, in both resource rooms and regular classrooms. Graduates will also be employable in a wide range of out-of-school settings such as early intervention, daycare, Head Start or as private educational supports.

Course work will provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work effectively with children and teachers in diverse educational settings. Students will learn about human development, speech and language support, remedial math and reading, behavioural management, exceptionalities, interpersonal communication and the role and responsibilities of a paraprofessional in an educational setting.

Practicum is an integral part of this Certificate program and assures that students have the opportunity to apply theory to practice. Practicum in a community outside of Grande Prairie may be available and will be considered on an individual basis.

To be accepted into this Program, you must be 18 years of age or older (or receive special permission from the Department Chairperson) and have a high school diploma with 60 percent in English 30-2 or 50 percent in English 30-1. If you are without a high school diploma in English 30-1 or 30-2, please arrange with the department for pre-admission assessment.

You must present a Standard First Aid Certificate and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (Basic Rescuer) prior to practicum. A criminal record check will be required from the RCMP prior to the first practicum as agencies require this of individuals who work in their organizations. Information about obtaining Criminal Record Checks will be provided to students after they have been admitted. For your own personal health, you may wish to ensure that your immunizations are current.

You may enroll in two courses without admission to the program. Upon successful completion of two courses, if you wish to continue in the program, you will be expected to apply to the program and meet all admission requirements. If you apply to the program after successfully completing two courses and require some upgrading courses to meet admission criteria, you may be granted permission to enroll in two additional courses while completing upgrading. Once you have met all admission requirements and received admission to the program, you will be granted credit toward the Certificate for courses successfully completed prior to admission.

First year, 36 credits
Fall and Winter, 32 credits

• HS1000 (2) Interpersonal Communications
• HS1102 (3) Behavioural and Functional Assessment
• HS1130 (3) English
• HS1202 (3) Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Learning
• HS1203 (1) Interpersonal Competence
• HS1217 (2) Language and Literacy
• HS2100 (3) Individuals with Exceptionalities
• HS2440 (3) Human Development: Birth through Adolescence
• TA1231 (2) Speech and Language Interventions
• TA1233 (1) Math Skills and Concepts
• TA1234 (2) The Role of the Paraprofessional in the Classroom
• TA1235 (1) Practicum
• TA1236 (3) Remedial Reading and Mathematics
• TA1367 (2) Supporting Technology in the Classroom
• One of: TA1232 (1) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or
  TA1237 (1) Autism Spectrum Disorder

Spring, 4 credits

• TA1238 (4) Practicum

To complete the Certificate requirements, you must achieve a minimum grade of D in all courses (with the exception of the practicum course in which a grade of CR is required) and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 1.7.  You will need to complete 36 credits listed to qualify for a Certificate in Teacher Assistant.

When you successfully complete the program requirements, submit an Application for Certificate Form to the Office of the Registrar to receive your Certificate in Teacher Assistant.