Education Paraprofessional

Overview

The Associate in Education - Education Paraprofessional (A.Ed.) degree offers the needed preparation in critical education content to prepare students for employment as paraeducators upon graduation. It also prepares students for future transfer to a four-year college or university. The A.Ed. coursework is equivalent to a major relating to education and meets the requirements of employers, especially public school districts for paraeducator positions.

This degree includes prescriptive coursework necessary to:

Provide foundational preparation in the field of education.
Prepare students to apply for baccalaureate teacher preparation programs, such as the Western Washington University Woodring College of Education’s Undergraduate Elementary Education Professional Program.
Fulfill the 75 credits of unrestricted general education requirements of the Associate of Arts, Direct Transfer Agreement, AA-DTA .
This degree also furthers the objectives of the Maestros Para el Pueblo program. This program works with Western Washington University and various high schools in the area to help LatinX students achieve their goals in pursuing a career in education.

Learning Outcomes:

General Education Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the Associate in Education - Education Paraprofessional program will be able to:

Use knowledge of key child development theories and current research to analyze and understand children’s perspectives, behavior, and development.
Develop strategies for connecting with and supporting the child and family that recognize the interconnectedness of the child, family, and community and the impacts of culture and structural inequity on their lives.
Use effective teaching strategies that adapt and change to meet student’s needs.
Demonstrate methods and strategies that are effective in meeting the learning needs of Dual Language Learners.
Communicate effectively with colleagues and participate in an educational team.

Program Admissions:

Students may enter the program at the beginning of any quarter. For specific information, contact Enrollment Services or the Department Chair.

According to Washington State law RCW 43.43.830, any person with a positive criminal history for “crimes against persons” is not allowed to work with children. Background checks of criminal history are required of all students who work with children in any setting. Participants in this program will be required to complete a background check with a local school district.

Students will complete EDUC 223 - Practicum and Seminar toward the end of their degree. This requires the student to volunteer weekly in a K-3rd grade classroom. In order to volunteer in a school, you must successfully pass a criminal background check. Students with a criminal background should complete a background check prior to enrolling in the program to make sure that they will be able to complete the practicum requirement and gain employment after graduation.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete 91 quarter credits in transferable courses numbered 100 (and 5 credits of MATH 099 ) or above with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in order to graduate from SVC with an Associate in Education- Education Paraprofessional degree. A minimum of 60 quarter hours of general education courses are required. Students completing the Associate in Education- Education Paraprofessional, A.Ed. degree must complete all of the General Education requirements for the AA-DTA, except for the Communication Studies requirement. At least 25 college-level credits must be earned at SVC with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Credits must satisfy course requirements listed below. Students should check specific admission and program requirements and application deadlines to assist in successful transfer to a four-year institution. College counselors and academic faculty can advise students of special lower division requirements.

MATH 099 is required in order to prepare students for applying to Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education’s Teacher Preparation Program. This requirement can also be fulfilled through taking a mathematics course with MATH 099 as a pre-requisite or successfully passing an intermediate algebra placement test at WWU. College counselors and academic faculty can advise students of this requirement. Please contact an advisor if planning to transfer to a program other than WWU.

Specialized Program Information:

Work-based Learning:

Students will complete EDUC 101 : Paraeducator Basics, at the beginning of their degree. This requires the student to volunteer weekly in a K-8 classroom. In order to volunteer in this program, you must successfully pass a criminal background check. Students with a criminal background should complete a background check prior to enrolling in the program to make sure that they will be able to complete the practicum requirement and gain employment after graduation.

During most quarters of the program, students will be required to complete lab hours in a school or other educational setting. Students are encouraged to apply for entry level work in the education field so that they can complete their required lab hours in their workplace. Students will be required to spend 2-4 hours a week in a school or other educational setting in order to successfully complete their coursework.

Students will complete EDUC 223 : Practicum and Seminar, toward the end of their degree. This requires the student to volunteer weekly in a K-3rd grade classroom. In order to volunteer in a school, you must successfully pass a criminal background check.

This course requires students to volunteer 12 hours a week during school hours. It is essential that you plan your work and family life so that you are able to complete the required practicum hours during the school day (8:30 am-3:00 pm).

Degree Options:

Upon completion of the A.Ed. requirements, students are eligible to apply to be awarded the Associate of Arts, Direct Transfer Agreement, AA-DTA . Students completing the Associate in Education- Education Paraprofessional, A.Ed. degree must complete all of the General Education requirements for the AA-DTA, except for the Communication Studies requirement. The A.Ed. degree will be granted to SVC students completing with a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Entry into a baccalaureate program will require a higher GPA for admission. This degree does not guarantee admission into the major. Early advising is important to ensure degree completion. Students are responsible for checking specific major requirements of baccalaureate institutions in the year prior to transferring.

Programs

Associate Degrees: Transfer

Intended for students who are interested in transferring to a four-year university.

Education Paraprofessional, A.Ed.