PARAEDUCATION

The Paraeducation program provides an option for paraprofessionals and teacher aides to meet the personnel requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) certificate of completion requirements. Paraprofessionals and aides newly hired after Jan. 8, 2002, working in a program supported with Title I funds must have:

  • completed at least two years of study at a higher education institution or,
  • obtained an associate degree or higher or,
  • met a rigorous standard of quality through a formal state assessment.

Existing paraprofessionals have four years after the enactment of the law to satisfy the requirements.

PROGRAM CONTENT
The Paraeducation program is organized around core courses that emphasize math, reading and writing. Program elective courses allow an individual to select areas of knowledge applicable to his or her employment situation.

DISTANCE DELIVERY
Individuals who need flexibility, accessibility and convenience will be able to complete the degree via distance learning. Online courses, videoconferencing, face-to-face mentors and seminars will allow individuals to continue to work and to complete the degree close to home. Individuals can choose to take courses on campus.

Agreements among North Dakota campuses allow individuals to identify a home campus, take courses from multiple campuses, receive financial aid for the courses, receive a single billing from the home campus and generate a single academic record from the home campus.

A.A.S. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Education
Credits
English/Communications 
6
Arts and Humanities 
3
Social and Behavioral Sciences 
3
Business, Math, Science and/or Technology (1 course from math, 1 course from technology) 
8
Total General Education 
20
   
Core Program 
PARA 101 Intro to Paraeducation
1
HPER 210 First Aid/CPR
1-2
COMM 212 Interpersonal Communication
3
ENGL 238 Children's Lit
3
PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology
3
EDUC 250 Intro to Education
2
EDUC 298 Pre-Professional Experience
1
MATH 277 Math for Elementary
3-4
Total Core
17-19
   
Program Electives (select 12 credits)
SPED 101 Intro to Developmental Disabilities
3
SPED 110 Intro to Exceptional Children
3
SPED 120 Intro to Behavior Intervention
3
CHLD 123 Activities for Children
3
EDUC 150 Intro to Early Childhood Education
3
CHLD 186 Family Studies
2
COOP 197-297 Cooperative Education/Internship (max of 6 credits may be used)
1-3
PARA 210 Classroom Management
3
PSYC 211 Intro to Behavior Modification
3
PSYC 230 Educational Psychology
3
SWK 257 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
4
PSYC 261 Psychology of Adjustment
3
EDUC 265 Audio-Visual Aids
3
Total Program Electives
12
Free Electives
11-13
 
Total AAS Program Requirements
60-64
   
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (See specific course titles and numbers above)
General Education
20
Core Program
16
Electives
12
Total Certificate Program Requirements
48

DEGREE OPTIONS
Individuals can obtain an Associate in Applied Science degree by completing a minimum of 60 to 64 semester hours and meeting the requirements of the home campus.

Individuals with previous college credits will meet NDDPI certificate of completion requirements by completing the Paraeducator certificate program if the college credits total 48 semester hours. The certificate program must contain 16 credits from the core program requirements, 12 credits from the program electives, 20 general education credits and meet the requirements of the home campus.

FINANCIAL OPTIONS
Costs for the program will vary based on the delivery method of the course. Online course tuition and fees vary at each campus. For specifics on credit costs, contact your home institution. The Financial Aid Office at your home institution can give specifics on federal financial aid and other financial options.

Check with your local school administrator as to your eligibility for financial assistance from your school district.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION QUESTIONS
Individuals having questions about the NDDPI certificate of completion requirements can contact:

Nita Wirtz
North Dakota Dept of Public Instruction
701-328-1876
Email

The NDSCS Paraeducation program advisor is Wade King, 1-800-342-4325, ext 3-2317 or Email.

Aug 2003

 

 

The North Dakota University System Online is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, (312) 263-0456, 800-621-7440, Fax: (312) 263-7462.

NDSCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Opportunity Educator - This publication will be made available in alternative formats upon request (800-342-4325)