Special Education Teachers
Assistant
Start date: September (part-time)
Description
The Special Education Teacher Assistant (SETA) Certificate Program is being offered by Kwantlen University College in cooperation with the Delta, Richmond, Langley, and Surrey School Districts. This program prepares students for a variety of paraprofessional duties in schools. Special Education Teacher Assistants work in Kindergarten through Grade 12 and assist teachers in providing personal care, behavioural, and learning support to students with diverse needs.
This credit certificate program is completed in two years of part-time study. Students attend classes two evenings per week and alternate Saturdays from September through May. To integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the program, all students complete a four-week, full-time practicum in the schools each year. During this period, a student will observe, assist, and work with children and/or adolescents with diverse needs under the guidance and supervision of professional staff.
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites: Prospective applicants must have completed:
- Grade 12 or the equivalent. Grade 12 equivalencies could consist of ACP Provincial Diploma or the GED.
- A three credit Communications or English course at the first year college or university level. Examples of accepted courses are Kwantlen University College's ENGL 1100, ENGL 1110, CMNS 1110, or 1140.
- Approximately 100 hours of successful experience working or volunteering with children, preferably in the schools. Applicants must submit two letters from employers or responsible persons in the community certifying this experience.
- Attendance at an orientation session, held in April.
- A small group admission session held after the orientation.
Corequisites: (To be completed before or during the student's program.)
- Criminal Record Search, to be completed once a student's program commences.
- A First Aid Certificate (Red Cross or St. John's Ambulance) consisting of a minimum of 6.5 hours of classroom training, valid at the time of graduation.
- Demonstrated computer proficiency, evidenced by the completion of introduction and application computer courses or a submission of documents demonstrating skills equivalent to computer training.
The first aid and computer courses are not offered through the SETA Program. They are corequisites that must be completed to qualify students for graduation. Students are responsible for arranging and completing these courses on their own.
Application and Admission Process
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for September intakes and may be submitted prior to the completion of the above prerequisites on the condition that all prerequisites are fulfilled before the September intake. Applicants are assessed on the basis of prerequisite fulfillment, and those who fully qualify for entry will then receive permission to register in the program according to their application date. Acceptance into the program does not automatically qualify students for practicum placement. Students are individually assessed as to their readiness for practicum placement and placed at the discretion of Kwantlen in consultation with school district personnel.
Content
Year One
SETA 1100 Introduction to Inclusive Schools
SETA 1161 Change and Development: Childhood
SETA 1111 Interpersonal Communication Skills - Level 1
SETA 1105 Working with Students
SETA 1220 Introduction to Practice as a Teacher Assistant
SETA 1205 Introduction to Diversity in Learners
SETA 1270 Practicum I
Year Two
SETA 1162 Change and Development: Adolescence through Adulthood
SETA 1112 Interpersonal Communication Skills - Level 2
SETA 1280 Health and Personal Care Support for Teacher Assistants
CSWC 1330 Supporting Learning III (Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviour)
SETA 1305 Overview of Curriculum for Inclusive Schools
SETA 1370 Practicum Two
This program consists of 800 hours of study for a total of 33.0 credits.
Fees
Fees are assessed on a per credit basis at $116.00 per credit. In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a one-time application fee of $30.00, as well as student association fees for each course. The total cost of program fees is approximately $3980.00.
Other costs include the purchase of textbooks and course materials for approximately $300.00 per year.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be awarded a Certificate in Special Education Teacher Assistant.
