Entrance Requirements

Please note that the requirements for the EA Diploma have changed for the upcoming February 2025 cohort, please read carefully below to ensure meet the requirements

Academic requirements

Requirement 1: English – ONE of the following options:
1. English 12 in North America (67% or higher) (provide your transcript)
2. Communication 12 in North America (86% or higher) (provide your transcript)
3. College/University English course where instruction is in English (55% or higher) (provide your transcript, may need to be evaluated)
4. Duolingo English test (115 or higher) - Available online, $50, free practice test, results in 2 days
5. IELTS Academic (not general option) with an overall score of 6.5 or higher
Requirement 2: Canadian High School Graduation – OR EQUIVELANT (see options below):
1. A 4 year Bachelors Degree (worldwide) where instruction was in English (provide your certificate) - evaluation not required
2. International Secondary (High School) education evaluated here (basic option)

Application Documents

Application Form (located on the How to Apply page)
Police Information Check with vulnerable sector screening (no older than 6 months by the start of the program)
Photo ID
2-character reference forms (located on the How to Apply webpage)
Handwritten letter of introduction (yes, handwritten)
80 hours work or volunteer experience completed within the last year, with children, preferably with neuro diverse children (form required - located on How to Apply page)
Preference may be given to applicants with post-secondary studies, especially having passed courses in English, Math and/or Science at accredited Canadian postsecondary institutions.
Competitive admission: meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program

The Police Information Check can be obtained by going in person to your local police station, please ensure you ask for vulnerable sector screening. Your police check needs to be within 6 months of the start of the program, if you are starting your program in September, please do not obtain the police check before March of the previous year. If you are starting your program In February please do not get your police check prior to September of the previous year.

Example: Your program starts September 2024
You can get your police check no earlier than March 2024

Your program starts in February 2025
You can get your police check no earlier than September 2024

The application form, reference forms and more information about each requirement can be found in our application package on the how to Apply page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Admissions

Do I need to take the Duolingo test if I have a bachelors degree or if I was raised in Canada and am fluent in English?

Yes, everyone needs to do the Duolingo test and score 115 or higher to be accepted to the program if you do not have one of the other English options.

Is there an age limit/restriction to apply?

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old at the start of class.

Are there any work or volunteer experience requirements?

Yes, starting October 2024, you will need to have a minimum of 80 work or volunteer experience hours, completed within the last year, and need to complete the new experience form to apply.

Can I take your program if I am here from another country?

As long as you are in Canada legally you may apply and take the program if you are a landed immigrant, have a permanent resident card or study permit. You should speak with your visa representative about your own personal conditions of stay in Canada.

Where do I get the Police Information Check?

Please take our checklist or entrance requirements shown above to your local Police Department and ask them for a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening. Surrey residents can visit this website for more information on the Police Information Check. Your police check needs to be no older than 6 months by the time you start your program, therefore please do not do this portion of your application prior to October for the February class, or prior to March for the September class.

Who can do my character reference forms?

You can ask a current or previous employer, teacher or member of the community that is not a friend or family member. If you are new to Canada you can use a reference from your home Country.

What should I write in my letter of introduction?

Use this opportunity to tell us about who you are, your experience and knowledge around working with kids, let your personality show through and highlight why you feel this career would be suitable for you.

When should I apply?

Registration for the September cohort opens in March. You can register for the February class as early as October of the prior year. It is important to note that your police check cannot be completed no earlier than 6 months before the program start, this is why the admissions opens in March and October. In other words, do not do your police check until these months or it will be out of date by the time you start your class and you will be required to complete a new one.

I am planning a vacation, are there any breaks in the program?

We close the school for Winter break (2 weeks around the end of the year) and in the spring cohort, we close for one week in March usually the second last week of March.