Continuing Education

Activity Assistant certificate

This certificate program delivers employment‐focused education and professional training to prepare students to work as Activity Assistants in an adult care setting helping aging adults stay active and engaged. Students will learn about the basic fundamentals and concepts involved in planning and implementing activity and recreation programs in adult care settings to enhance a resident’s quality of life and overall wellness. An understanding of cognitive and physical changes in aging adults of diverse populations will be included.

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or minimum 19 years of age before the first day of classes.
2. Proficient use of the English language. This level may be met by one or more of the following:
   • English 10 or equivalent with a grade of C+ or better.
   • Communications 11 or 12 with a grade of C+ or better.
   • UFV CPT (Composition Placement Test) with a score of 41 or higher.
   • Canadian Language Benchmark placement test (CLBPT) — 8 overall, with no skill less than 7.
   • EAP 084 with a grade of C+ or better.
3. Letter from employer(s) confirming 20 volunteer or work hours in an adult care setting with satisfactory reference/recommendation. (Contact continuingeducation@ufv.ca if you are unable to meet this requirement.)
4. Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening. Instructions for completing this form will be given online at the start of the program.
5. Submission of a signed Health Assessment Record indicating physical fitness and emotional stability (form available at ufv.ca/continuing-education/programs/activity-assistant).

All students entering this program are expected to be computer literate. This means knowing how to run programs from a Windows environment, and having basic Internet, word processing, and spreadsheet skills. Students must have reliable transportation to all clinical practicum sites.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
2. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. Full tuition is due at the time of registration.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

Please see the Continuing Education webpage for current fee information. See the Fees and Other Costs section for additional information.

Program duration

The Activity Assistant certificate can be completed part-time in nine months. Courses are delivered face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats. Face to face classes offered evenings and weekends.

Location

Courses are offered in Abbotsford at the Clearbrook Centre campus.

Program outline

Practicum regulations

Students are required to have the following items to be eligible for a practicum placement:

1. Current Standard First Aid/CPR level C certification.
2. FoodSafe Level 1 certification.
3. Completion of up-to-date immunization program and complete Tuberculosis (TB) Test to participate in practicum placements (form will be provided).

Program continuance

Students must achieve a minimum grade of B in each course and achieve a Complete grade for the Observational Practicum to progress to the next course. Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of B in a course may repeat the course one additional time. Student must successfully complete all courses with a minimum grade of B and the Observational Practicum with a Complete in order to proceed to the Practicum Placement course. The Practicum Placement course may not be repeated.

Course repetition

See UFV's Course Repeat policy (86).

Readmission

A student may apply for readmission after withdrawal. The student must meet the admission requirements for the program, including any specific readmission criteria if they apply to return to the same program. Readmission to the same program is not guaranteed. A student who is readmitted after being required to withdraw will return on academic probation.

Residency

The entire program must be completed at UFV.

Graduation requirements

To be eligible to graduate, students must successfully complete all courses with a minimum grade of B.

See the Graduation section of the calendar for more information.

Maximum length of time to complete program

Students must complete the program requirements within three years.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.

For more information

Contact Continuing Education at 604-851-6324, or 604-504-7441 local 6324, or toll-free (within Canada) 1-888-504-7441 local 4626, or continuingeducation@ufv.ca.