Associate of Arts in History

at Langara College Canada

Welcome to Langara College’s Education Assistant Program!

This eight-month full-time or six-semester part-time certificate program prepares students for career opportunities in the education system working alongside teachers supporting students with disabilities as Education Assistants.

The program combines a range of courses that provide a balance between a strong theoretical foundation and practical experiences so students graduate well prepared to begin their career.

In the public school system, a movement away from segregated classrooms toward inclusive classrooms has resulted in dramatic changes in the way students with disabilities are educated. It is an important goal of the faculty of the Education Assistant Program to provide students with opportunities to become competent and employable paraprofessionals in these dynamic environments.

Samantha Watson, Alumna, has had experience with these students, both as a student in the classroom, and as an Education Assistant working alongside the teacher. Read more about her story.

Langara now offers a new part-time stream in our Education Assistant Certificate program. This stream allows students to complete the Education Assistant Certificate program on a part-time basis by taking courses in evenings and on weekends. A student could complete the part-time program in as little as six semesters. Courses are offered in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Langara continues to offer our full-time two semester (fall and spring) program. Both streams include two extended practicum experiences in local schools. 

This eight-month full-time or six-semester part-time certificate program prepares students for career opportunities in the education system working alongside teachers supporting students with disabilities as Education Assistants. The program combines a range of courses that provide a balance between a strong theoretical foundation and practical experiences so students graduate well prepared to begin their career.

In the public school system, a movement away from segregated classrooms toward inclusive classrooms has resulted in dramatic changes in the ways students with disabilities are educated. In this framework, there is a need to provide Education Assistants with the theoretical and practical knowledge and experience that meets the individual needs of all children. An important goal of the Education Assistant Program is to provide Langara College students with opportunities to become competent and employable educators.

The Role of the Education Assistant
Successful Education Assistants have an aptitude for working with adults and with children, are patient, interested in education and in learning, consider schools to be interesting and exciting places, and enjoy working in a world of rapidly changing ideas. The Education Assistant performs a variety of paraprofessional duties in the public school system:

• Works under the direction of teachers, administrators, or other professionals;
• Assists in the development and implementation of individualized or group communication skills, behavioural support, learning support, life-skills development, and work experience;
• Assists in the modification and adaptation of curriculum to meet the individual learning needs of students;
• Attends to and provides personal assistance to students who require assistance with toileting, positioning, diapering, mobility, feeding, grooming, and dressing;
• Transfers and assists students moving to/from wheelchairs, desks, and work areas;
• Supervises students in a variety of community-based activities;
• Attends and participates in school-based team meetings (and other meetings) as required by the support teachers or school administrators;
• Participates in parent-teacher meetings where required; and
• Performs other related work as required

The Associate of Arts in Commerce and Business Studies provides courses needed for equivalency to first and second-year Commerce and Business Administration at SFU, UBC and UVIC. (Please consult with a counsellor regarding requirements.) Students may also apply to bridge into the 3rd year of Langara's BBA program. The program leads to an Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in Commerce and Business Studies. Transfer to UBC, SFU or UVic Faculties of Commerce or Business will depend on those institutions and each application will be considered on its merits. The need to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 cannot be overemphasized due to the highly competitive nature of admission into business faculties at all three universities.

This two-year program is designed for students who wish to study university engineering, but do not yet meet all the pre-requisites, or who need time to transition into the heavy workload that the study of engineering requires. Students will gain a thorough grounding in mathematics and natural sciences, including laboratory practice, and technical communications. They will also be introduced to Canadian engineering practice, history and social context, and engineering principles of case study and design.

The following academic diploma is intended primarily for those seeking to complete two years of university-transfer course work towards a degree in Recreation, Leisure, and Sport Studies.

This diploma from the Department of Kinesiology does not by itself transfer to other colleges and universities. The individual courses taken to fulfill the requirements of this diploma must be assessed for their transfer credit status. Students are responsible to check with the institutions to which they want to attend to determine the transferability of courses.

The Biology Department offers a Citation in Ecology, which recognizes students who have completed a number of ecology-related Biology courses while working toward an Associate of Science Degree, a Diploma in Arts and Science, or another university-transfer program.

• Citation in Ecology

When you study ecology and biology at Langara, you will examine all aspects of living things: from the molecules that make up your cells to entire ecosystems. The courses that focus on ecology include an overview of living organisms (microorganisms, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates), an introduction to terrestrial and aquatic ecology, physiological ecology, behavioural ecology, community structure and dynamics, ecosystem ecology, and an introduction to plant and animal population ecology (population dynamics, interaction, conservation ecology, and modelling.)

Knowledge of our past is critical to our sense of identity as a community. The study of history makes us aware of different values and perspectives and teaches us sensitivity to other viewpoints. College level history is not simply a listing of facts and dates, rather it is an explanation of real lives lived in the past. Without an understanding of where we have been, how can we know where we are headed?

While students can choose from a wide range of history courses, they will develop a common core of essential skills. Students will learn to read with understanding so they can critically evaluate conflicting evidence. In an increasingly complex world it is imperative that students/citizens know how to evaluate data, to understand the importance of context in shaping events and attitudes, and to think and reason in a logical manner. Through regular written assignments and discussion students will refine their communication skills as they learn about other worlds.

In a time of increasing globalization, where human activity is now seen to have far reaching, often adverse, implications for the worlds ecosystems it is essential to have the awareness, knowledge, skill and experience to address these issues.  Environmental understanding, protection and remediation are significant, growing concerns in today’s society.  Environmental Studies at Langara College is an interdisciplinary program within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. It draws from four critical study areas - biology, chemistry, english, geography – as well as including a number of specific environmental courses.  Elective courses are chosen from a wide range of subjects to suit a particular student’s interests.  A one-week field school is conducted at the end of the second year

Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) is an interdisciplinary field of study which is concerned with the problem of human conflict, especially violent and destructive conflict, and the means by which it can be constructively and nonviolently resolved. Its interdisciplinary approach to analysis draws on the perspectives of the social sciences, history, and philosophy. Guest lecturers from these academic disciplines, as well as guests from the active world of conflict resolution, politicians, and peace leaders, will enhance the Associate Degree/Diploma and core courses, POLI 1145 ( PCCN 1201) and PCCN 1202. Each of the courses listed as requirements for the Associate Degree and Diploma Programs in Peace and Conflict Studies adds to an understanding of this most complex and pressing human issue.

A specialization in this field can lead to further academic study in Peace and Conflict, a growing area in graduate programs in North American universities. Peace and Conflict Studies is also an appropriate preparation for the following career areas: politics and diplomacy; international relief and development; community and social services; public and private administration; counselling; law and corrections; and education.

The Social Service Worker program is closed for applications as the Fall 2020 intake is now full. We will re-open for applications on October 1, 2020 for the Fall 2021 intake. 

Langara College’s Social Service Worker Program prepares students for immediate entry into all social service sectors, as well as for further education in Social Work and other helping professions. Program participation and employment in the social services field require commitments of physical and emotional energies.

Students who successfully complete the nine-month program earn a Social Service Worker Certificate. They also have the option of adding 30 Arts and Sciences credits to the Certificate to earn a Coordinated Diploma.

The Certificate Program consists of two semesters of full-time studies. There are two practicum placements, including a five-week full-time block placement at the end of the second semester.