About Special Needs Educational Assistant in MacEwan University

Special needs educational assistants support students with learning differences, under the direction of a teacher, in optimizing learning potential within a variety of educational settings.

MacEwan University’s Special Needs Educational Assistant program prepares you to help children and youth in educational settings who have a wide range of abilities and exceptionalities. Our graduates have the skills and strategies to support the instructional, behavioural and social needs of students.

Theory in Practice

Our program of studies provides opportunities for students to learn and connect theory to their field practices in areas such:

• Classroom behaviour support
• Strategies for working with students who have a wide range of physical, cognitive, social and emotional differences.
• Professional and ethical classroom practice
• Child and adolescent development
• Language Arts and math curricula
• Assistive and adaptive technology

Options

The Special Needs Educational Assistant program is 8 months in length (full time). Students may also enroll in part time and distance delivery.

Careers

With over 95 per cent of graduates finding employment, the Special Needs Educational Assistant certificate is recognized and highly valued in the field.

Sample excerpts of duties/responsibilities from educational assistant career postings:

• Assist students at the ECS level with speech-language delay coupled with some occupational and physical therapy needs.
• Assist a grade nine student with severe medical, emotional, social and behavioural difficulties. Knowledge and/or experience of Tourette’s syndrome and PDD is an asset.
• Assist elementary student with Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
• Assist student with fetal alcohol syndrome and multiple medical disabilities.
• Assist post-secondary adult learners with learning difficulties/disabilities, with support from instructors in the development of individualized plans.
• Provide medical/physical maintenance that may include toileting, feeding, tubing, and/or mobility assistance to the student under their care.
• Assist with the preparation of daily progress reports and anecdotal records for the student as directed by the special needs facilitator or classroom teacher.
• Obtain and organize the student's materials and equipment in preparation for classroom activities.
• Reinforce learning concepts with the student under the direction of the special needs facilitator or classroom teacher.
• Assist and/or support the special needs facilitator or classroom teacher in off-site activities.

Potential Careers:

• Educational assistant
• Kindergarten assistant
• Special needs educational assistant

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent in high school courses

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS      :       overall band score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 5.5 in each band.
• TOEFL    :       86 and a minimum score of 21 in each section.
• PTE         :       overall score of 59 and a minimum score of 56 in each band.

MacEwan University Highlights

MacEwan University The Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

Before deciding to study in one of the Canadian universities, one must estimate the average cost of living in Canada. Tabulated below are the expenses one needs to incur on a monthly basis to study at MacEwan University. The tuition fees for international students are based on credits. Other fees include the service fees and course specific fees which can be checked online.

Cost of transportation is covered in tuition fee as the institute provides UPass.

MacEwan University English Proficiency Test Scores