Paraprofessional Educator, A.A.S.

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The Paraprofessional Educator Associate in Applied Science Degree program is designed to prepare students to assist teachers in a variety of classroom settings, and to meet the standards for paraprofessional educators developed in response to the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This curriculum is based on professional standards developed by the American Federation of Teachers, as well as the Paraprofessional Task Force convened by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).

Please note: This program is not for students planning to become regularly certified professional teachers in Illinois public schools. Consult an advisor for more information.

I. General Education Core (22)

Area A: Communication (9 credits)

ENG 101 Composition I 3 hrs transfer credit - with a grade of C or better
ENG 102 Composition II 3 hrs transfer credit - with a grade of C or better
COMM 101 Principles of Communication 3 hrs transfer credit

Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (3 credits)

Select one course from Area B

Strongly recommended courses include ART 131 ; ENG 215 ; HUMAN 101

Area C: Mathematics

(requirement met by completion of EDU 111 in the program requirements*)

Area D: Physical and Life Sciences (4 credits)

Select one IAI approved laboratory science course from the courses for Area D

Area E: Social and Behavioral Science (6 credits)

PSYCH 101 Introduction to Psychology 3 hrs transfer credit required

Select one additional course from Area E

Strongly recommended courses include:

ANTHR 222 Introduction to Cultural and Social Anthropology 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 112 World History: 1500 to Present 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 115 African Civilizations I 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 116 African Civilizations II 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 140 History of Latin America 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 201 U.S. History: 1492 to 1877 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 202 U.S. History: 1877 to Present 3 hrs transfer credit
POLSC 140 Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics 3 hrs transfer credit
SOCIO 220 Race Relations: A Multicultural Perspective 3 hrs transfer credit

II. Program Requirements (28)

ECED 103 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 hrs transfer credit
ED 100 Foundations of American Public Education 3 hrs credit
ED 101 Child Growth and Development 3 hrs transfer credit
ED 160 Technology for Teachers 3 hrs credit
ED 212 Exceptional Child 3 hrs transfer credit
ED 220 Children’s Literature 3 hrs transfer credit
EDU 111 Mathematics for Paraprofessionals 3 hrs credit
EDU 221 Clinical Experience 1 hr credit
Note: Students already working as aides should arrange for proficiency credit for EDU 221

Select one cultural awareness course from the following:

EDU 213 Multicultural Education 3 hrs credit or
EDU 120 Child, Family, and Community

Select one teaching strategies course from the following:

ECED 105 Creative Activities for Children 3 hrs credit
EDU 205 Language Arts for Children 3 hrs credit

III. Electives (12)

Select 12 credit hours from the following courses:

CJ 204 Juvenile Justice 3 hrs transfer credit
ECED 104 Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 hrs transfer credit
EDU 130 Guidance and Classroom Management 3 hrs credit
EDU 213 Multicultural Education 3 hrs credit or
EDU 120 Child, Family, and Community
PSYCH 202 Educational Psychology 3 hrs transfer credit
PSYCH 203 Abnormal Psychology 3 hrs transfer credit
SOCIO 210 Marriage and the Family 3 hrs transfer credit
Any Social/Behavioral Science course (non-Western or diversity emphasis) listed at the front of this section.

Any of the following courses required for elementary teacher certification:

HIST 201 U.S. History: 1492 to 1877 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 202 U.S. History: 1877 to Present 3 hrs transfer credit
POLSC 140 Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics 3 hrs transfer credit
Other identified courses related to content specialization. Consult with program coordinator.

Program Total: 62 credits

*Students may substitute one of the following options for EDU/MATH 111.

Students interested in elementary or early childhood education must choose BOTH courses

MATH 200 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching I AND
MATH 206 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching II

Students interested in working in the secondary or special education setting may choose from:

MATH 112 General Education Mathematics OR
MATH 115 General Education Statistics