Educational Assistant Certificate

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide one of the following;

• Three years of full-time education in English in a regular high school or post-secondary credit program:
  • completed within Canada, including the grade 12 year; or
  • completed in an English-speaking country; or
  • completed at a recognized school or institution with English as the primary language of instruction.
    • A 'Medium of Instruction' letter may be requested.

Enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses or programs does not qualify for this purpose.

• English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60%
• One of RDP’s approved ELP requirements (including ELP tests or pathway programs) and a Language Arts course at a grade 12 level (equivalent or higher)
• ILAC University Pathway Program (Level 3.2 or 3.3) with a minimum grade of 70%.
• Robertson College Intensive Academic English course Level 5 (IAE5) with a minimum grade of 70%.
• Completion of an approved English Proficiency Test
  • CAEL 60 with at least 55 on each band score
  • Duolingo English Test: 115-125
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 with at least 5.5 on each band score
  • MET 61 with at least 58 on each band score
  • PTE 59 with at least 56 on each band score
  • Oxford ELLT: 7 Overall with at least 9 on each band score
  • TOEFL: 83 iBT or 557 PBT

All ELP tests must have been obtained within two years of the date their program starts. ELP requirements are in addition to the other admission requirements noted above.   

Students with Study Permits who are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in child care, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month before the start of classes.

The government requires people who work directly with young children to have a current immunization record and a Police Information Check.

• While not an admission requirement for the program, some practicum agencies and field placements may require Police Information Checks of students working in their organizations.

• Information about obtaining Police Information Checks will be provided to students after they have been admitted to the program.

Some programs may require medical examinations, as well. Students should be prepared for approximately $50 to $75 in extra expenses to acquire these documents.

Practicum courses are usually in the Red Deer area, but you should plan for some extra costs associated with completing your practicum, including travel, clothing and other expenses.

Students with an academic status of Academic Warning or Probation will not be placed in EDAS 114 (Field Experience practicum) or EDAS 181 (Field Practice practicum) until they have cleared this status.

Students with previous courses taken at accredited post-secondary institutions can apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) to have their transcripts assessed for possible Transfer Credit. Students who previously took RDP courses in a different program may apply for possible Advanced Placement. You are advised to submit your PLAR application as soon as possible after applying to the program.

• Advanced credit is not given for EDAS 181 (Field Practice)

• Courses not open to challenge: EDAS 181(Field Practice)

Red Deer Polytechnic recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. 

To increase participation of Indigenous Peoples, RDP will waive the application fee and remove the tuition deposit requirement for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

The Educational Assistant Certificate program recognizes the need to facilitate post-secondary education access for Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners.

To increase the participation of Indigenous Peoples, the program has designated four seats for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.  After June 1 for the Fall term and October 1 for the Winter term, unallocated seats will be released to the waitlist.

Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by:

• Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission.
• Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry

 Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following):

• Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Métis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
• Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, the band list of an individual band, or the Inuit roll.
• Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
• Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Aboriginal ancestry with supporting documentation. 

Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.