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Educational Support

Formerly named: Educational Assistant

You can make a difference in a child's life as a competent, caring educational support professional. Our program will prepare you to play a vital role in the classroom supporting students with special needs.

Alternate delivery options are available

This program is also offered Advanced Standing

Program Information

Start Date

September 02, 2025

Domestic Availability

Accepting Applications

International Availability

Accepting Applications

Program Code

ED

Delivery

Hybrid, In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Contact

Patty Thompson

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2499.6 per semester*

International Tuition

$8826.1 per semester*

*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

View Curriculum

Our updated two-year Educational Support diploma program prepares you to work in a school setting as part of the educational team supporting children with special needs. You will help children with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, sensory or physical disabilities and behavioural challenges.

Technology plays a key role in today’s modern classroom or institutional setting, and this program will enhance your knowledge of digital literacy and the assistive technologies you will use in your future career. You’ll graduate fully prepared to help students using iPads and current apps, including SMART Boards and other assistive technologies, such as voice-to-text software.

You will benefit from our faculty members’ recent and extensive experience in the field. In the second and third semesters, the roles of teacher and educational assistant will be explored and more clearly defined. You'll learn how to:

  • manage behaviour
  • modify educational programming
  • support exceptional children
  • assist with curriculum planning

Much of this training is experiential, taking place in various educational settings in the community.

During third semester, you will spend three days a week in class at the College and two days a week in a classroom in an area school. The final part of the program is an intensive, semester-long, practical learning experience in an educational setting or agency. During this placement experience, you'll work with students with a range of exceptionalities including autism, physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, visual impairments, and learning disabilities. You can complete your placement in the location of your choice, whether that’s in your home town, in the Kawartha region or a larger city in Ontario.

If you have already completed an Ontario College Diploma or a university degree, you may be eligible for the accelerated Educational Support - Advanced Standing program. You can graduate in just ten months.

In the 20 years plus that the Educational Support program has been offering training, area school boards have said this is the diploma program they want their Educational Support staff to have. The Fleming program has a reputation for excellence, and well-rounded graduates.

You will refine your skills as a competent, caring educational support professional during the extensive 95-day placement in a real-world setting.

To succeed in this program and career, you require:

  • a love of children and concern for their healthy physical, intellectual, and social emotional development
  • strong oral and written communications skills
  • the ability to work as part of a team
  • flexibility
  • cultural and "ability" sensitivity
  • excellent interpersonal skills
  • excellent problem solving skills
  • empathy and creativity
  • basic computer skills
  • Any experience working with children or youth, such as in a summer camp or day care, or a peer tutoring program is an asset

The main employer of educational support professionals is the school system, but there are also opportunities in other institutional settings offering education as part of the programming. Some of our graduates find employment as a result of their semester-four placement and may even be offered a job prior to graduation.

Students should plan to spend approximately $700 per year for books and supplies. You will be required to submit a current police records check, which is available from your local police department upon payment of a fee.

Non Academic Requirements: Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.

The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is an option available to students in this program. To qualify for an IPD, you must take and successfully complete a series of required Indigenous Studies courses as well as participate in a minimum of four approved co-curricular Indigenous events or experiences. Your transcript will indicate the IPD upon graduation, a designation that provides you with a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions to our shared society within the context of your program of study. The IPD provides a valuable skill set sought after in today's employment sector.

  • Provide educational support in compliance with pertinent education-related legislation, standards, regulations and policies, health and safety legislation and regulations, as well as organizational policies, practices and procedures.
  • Develop and implement strategies to promote and support positive school climates that contribute to a safe, caring and secure educational setting.
  • Collaborate with members of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team by assisting in the development and revision of the IEPs of learners with exceptionalities.
  • Implement components of educational support programs of instruction under the direction and support of the IEP team and/or relevant members of the school community.
  • Lead by example to promote empathetic, positive and pro-social behaviour in all learners to facilitate the development of social competence in learners with exceptionalities in accordance with their IEPs.
  • Promote the development of independence in, and provide assistance to, learners with exceptionalities in their performance of routine activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in accordance with their IEPs.
  • Develop and implement strategies to support learners with exceptionalities in the appropriate use of assistive technologies and daily living aids in accordance with their IEPs.
  • Monitor, document and report on the behaviour, performance and progress of learners with exceptionalities in accordance with their IEPs.
  • Prepare and present a plan for engaging in ongoing personal and professional development to promote competence in the educational support field.

Students applying to Educational Support must meet the following requirements:

  • OSSD including Gr 12 C English

PC / Windows

  • Operating System:
    Windows 10
  • Processor:
    Core i5 - 1.6Ghz minimum
  • Memory:
    8GB minimum
  • Hard Disk:
    160GB minimum

Apple / MacOS

  • Operating System:
    MacOS 10.12 or newer
  • Processor:
    Core i5 6th Gen or better
  • Memory:
    8GB minimum
  • Hard Disk:
    160GB minimum

Internet Connection: 2.5 Mbps Download and 3.0 Mbps Upload (minimum)

Students are required to have their own computer, internet access, webcam and microphone.

Transfer Agreements

You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized here.

Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Digital Technology
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 60 out of a 120-credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 60 out of a 120-credit degree.
  • Refer to Ontario Tech's website for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Bachelor of Commerce
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
  • Completion of the Ontario Tech Commerce Bridge.
Transfer Credit
  • 45 out of a 120-credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • Entry into 4th semester standing in an 8-semester program.
  • Refer to Seneca College's website for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Seneca College website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • The diploma must include a one-year introductory university-level humanity or social science course or equivalent.
  • A personal letter explaining how attending this program will benefit the applicant and Disability Communities. The letter should not exceed two pages, double spaced.
Transfer Credit
  • Refer to TMU's website for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Toronto Metropolitan University website for further articulation and program information.

Bachelor of Arts plus Teacher Education Stream
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
  • Note: Teacher Education Stream is for students planning to teach at the elementary or secondary level. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor regarding the selected degree major and appropriate educational planning.
Transfer Credit
  • 5.0 out of a 20-credit degree.
  • 5.5 out of a 20-credit degree with completion of the Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD).
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Education - Indigenous
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
  • Required to self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.
Transfer Credit
  • 5.0 out of a 25-credit degree.
  • 5.5 out of a 25-credit degree with completion of the Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD).
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Program Code: DSW

Ontario College Diploma

Sutherland Campus

September 2025, January 2026

Program Code: EC

Ontario College Diploma

Sutherland Campus

January 2025, September 2025, January 2026

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