Community Support Worker: Education Assistant and Community Mental Health Certificate

Total:  804 hours, 39 weeks

• Orientation (20 hours)
• Introduction to Microsoft Computer (60 hours)
• Workshops: Standard First Aid (16 hours) & FoodSafe Level 1 (8 hours)
• CSW – Education Assistant (300 hours)
• CSW – Community Mental Health (300 hours)
• CSW – Practicum Placement (100 hours)

Communication (relationship building) (48 hours)

• build and establish relationships with children and youth
• learn the skills needed to participate in effective team building in the school setting

Child Development (28 hours)

• an introduction to theories of child development from birth to adolescence

Mental Health (60 hours)

• special emphasis on challenges experienced by exceptional children and youth in the school setting
• learn how to provide appropriate support for the differently abled child or youth (this course is integrated with Life Span Development)

Life Span Development (48 hours)

• learn and apply your knowledge of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral development of children and youth
• emphasis on knowledge of special needs and health conditions that may affect the development of children or youth (this course is integrated with Mental Health)

Education/Teaching Assistant (116 hours)

• provide support for children and youth in a school setting
• application of adapted and modified teaching strategies and their relationship to the different learning styles of individuals
• learn techniques and skills that are needed to work with students who have mental, physical, and learning/behaviour challenges within the classroom setting

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Revised: June 2025.

Applicants must meet the following requirements prior to acceptance into the program.

• Grade 12 graduation from BC secondary school or equivalent*, or equivalent* from another school system, or be a mature applicant (19 years of age on the first day of class).

• Satisfy one of the following language proficiency requirements:
  • Completion of three years of full-time secondary (grades 8-12), or two years if the grades are 10, 11, 12, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages **.
    • This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.
  • Completion of two years of full-time post-secondary education, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages ** (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, IQAS.)
    • Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
  • Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.

Mature student applicants.

• If the applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as described above, then:
  • Provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, and
  • Complete an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation Reading, Writing, WritePlacer) with these minimum scores:
• Reading 230
• Writing 230
• WritePlacer 4

English language proficiency tests.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic, IELTS general, IELTS academic online)
  • Overall score of 5.5 minimum
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition)
  • Overall score of 46 minimum
• Canadian Academic English language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online)
  • Overall score of 40 minimum
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online)
  • Scores of listening 6, speaking 6, reading 5, writing 5 minimum
• Duolingo English test (DET)
  • Overall score of 95 minimum
• Pearson test of English (PTE) academic
  • Overall score of 43 minimum
• Cambridge English qualifications B2 first exam (FCE)
  • Overall score of 160 or “C” minimum
• Cambridge linguaskill
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
• LanguageCert academic
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
• The Michigan English test (MET)
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
• iTep academic
  • Overall score of 3.5 minimum
• Eiken
  • Placement of Grade Pre-1 minimum

Applicants must meet with a DCC official and complete the required documents.

*Equivalent:

For detailed information about equivalencies please speak with your DCC Admissions Advisor.

**Countries list:

For the list of countries where English is one of the principal languages speak to your DCC admissions advisor.

Applicants interested in working with a school district upon graduation from the Community Support Worker program should note that many school districts require graduation from grade 12 for employment.

Domestic Fees

Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant & Community Mental Health
Certificate Fees

Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Tuition: $13,711.40
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $342.84
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $14,686.18

International Fees

Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant & Community Mental Health
Certificate (International) Fees

Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Tuition: $17,824.82
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $342.84
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $18,849.60