Paraprofessional Educator Degree

Make a difference in the classroom and in their lives

Career outcomes

Instructional assistants
Paraprofessional educator
Teacher's aides
Teaching assistant

Develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a paraprofessional educator with this 62-credit-hour degree program. Paraprofessional educators (also commonly known as teacher’s aides or instructional assistants) work in a variety of settings such as classrooms, computer labs and the outdoors. Their work includes assisting with instruction, grading assignments, supervision and child development.

Choose from 100% on-campus or mix online and on-campus courses to fit your schedule.

Take classes in education, psychology, child development, students with disabilities in schools, technology in education, children’s literature, diversity in schools and society, language arts in elementary/middle school teaching and more. All courses are taught by expert faculty who are extremely knowledgeable in the field of education. This program will prepare you to take the Illinois State Board of Education's Educator License with Stipulations Endorsed for Paraprofessional exam.

A.A.S. degree program plan

Program Overview

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This 61 credit-hour program is designed to promote the development of skills necessary when working with children in Title 1 programs in the K-12 public or private school classrooms. Students must complete both the required courses for the program and 21 hours of approved electives.

F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course

FIRST SEMESTER:

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
EDU 201	Introduction to Education	3	Program Requirement
Description: Provides an introduction to teaching as a profession in the American education system. Offers a variety of perspectives on education including historical, philosophical, social, legal, and ethical issues in a diverse society. Includes organizational structure and school governance. There is a mandatory 15 hour clinical component in this course; therefore, the student must pass a criminal background check for successful completion of this course. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
ENG 101	Composition I	3	AAS General Education
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
	Humanities	3	AAS General Education
	Mathematics¹	3	AAS General Education
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology ⁺	3	AAS General Education
Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary and classic psychological investigation. Emphasizes psychological theories, principles, and research applications. Introduces the divisions of the American Psychological Association. References biological processes, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, mental disorders, intelligence, aptitude, personality, development, daily life and everyday problems. IAI S6 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025

SECOND SEMESTER:

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
ECE 102	Child Development	3	Program Requirement
Description: Provides a study of human development from conception through adolescence. Includes research methods and developmental theories. Address all major areas of development (physical, social, emotional and cognitive, language, and aesthetic) and the interaction among these areas. Also examines current research and major developmental theoretical points of view, including those of Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, Skinner, Gardner and others. Explores child development in the context of gender, family, culture, socio-economics, race, ethnicity, religion, and society. Emphasis is on the implication for early childhood professional practice. IAI ECE 912 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
EDU 211	Educational Psychology	3	Program Requirement
Description: Examines psychological principles underlying educational practice. Theories concerning cognitive and psychological development, human learning, and motivation are studied with emphasis on application for instruction, including assessment. Emphasis will also be placed on learner-centered instruction and diversity. There is a clinical component in this course, therefore; the student must pass a criminal background check for successful completion of this course. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
	Electives²	3	Program Requirement
LIT 219	Children's Literature	3	Program Requirement
Description: Introduces the various types of children's literature. Includes the history of children's literature, as well as the classic and current authors and illustrators. Covers such areas as picture and concept books, myths, poetry, fantasy and realism. IAI H3 918 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
SPE 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3	AAS General Education
Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025

THIRD SEMESTER:

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
EDU 219	Students With Disabilities in School	3	Program Requirement
Description: Presents the historical, philosophical and legal foundations of special education as well as an overview of the diverse characteristics of individuals with exceptional cognitive, physical, social and emotional needs, including, but not limited to, children identified as learning disabled. Covers identification, intervention strategies, cross-categorical methods of instruction and programs to meet their needs, including, but not limited to, assistive technologies, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), behavioral interventions, and Universal Design. Studies applicable state and federal laws and requirements, including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), Individual Education Plan (IEP), Response to Intervention (RTI) and inclusive programming. This course addresses the coursework identified in the Illinois Administrative Code 25, Section 25:25 for professional educator licensure. There is a mandatory fifteen (15) hour clinical component in this course; therefore, the student must pass a criminal background check for successful completion of this course. IAI ECE 913 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
EDU 250	Introduction to Technology in Education F	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Introduces educators to the knowledge and skills required to demonstrate their proficiency in the current technology standards. The course focuses on both knowledge and performance, and includes hands-on technology activities. Prerequisite: Keyboarding, basic skill word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
	Electives²	9	Program Requirement

FOURTH SEMESTER:

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
EDU 202	Pre -Student Teaching Clinical Experience S	1	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Provides an in-depth study of classroom practices in the subject and age category that each student is training to teach. Students will complete the clinical component of this course by observing classrooms in their area of interest and will attend a seminar once weekly to discuss their experience; therefore, the student must pass a criminal background check for successful completion of this course. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
EDU 230	Introduction to Language Arts in Elementary /Middle School Teaching S	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Examines the foundations of effective practices in supporting student progress toward both fluent and strategic reading and writing. Provides an introduction to the theory and practices of language arts education for students who are interested in becoming teachers. Focuses on construction of meaning from print, the relationship between reading and writing, and the principles of classroom assessment. Provides an introduction to the Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
EDU 220	Diversity in Schools and Society ⁺	3	Program Requirement
Description: Provides an introduction to diversity issues in schools and society today. Examines how schooling is shaped by the social contexts in which it occurs, particularly in multicultural and global contexts. Includes examination of both social and global perspectives. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025
	Electives²	6	Program Requirement
PSC 101	American Politics and Government	3	AAS General Education
Description: Focuses on political involvement, elections, campaigns, interest groups, Congress, courts, the presidency, and the constitution. Discusses how our government runs, as well as current political controversies. Utilizes political figures as guest speakers and offers opportunities for political participation, especially in election years. IAI S5 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 \| Summer 2025

¹ - Students must place into 100-level mathematics or higher. If a student does not place into 100-level math, they may seek to retake the math placement exam or complete a college-level math course with co-requisite math course to meet math requirements. Students that place into 100-level mathematics or higher can take a 3 credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.

² - Select from: ANT 101, 202, ART 105, 130, ECE 101, 226, 250, 252, ENG 102, ESC 110, GEG 101, HST 111, 112, LNG 105, MTH 130, 131, PHY 110, PSY 217, 228, SGN 101.

⁺ - This course meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement.

Program learning outcomes

Develop reading skills to be used for classroom instructional support.
Develop mathematical computation and mathematical reasoning skills to be used for classroom instructional support.
Develop writing skills to be used for classroom instructional support.
Develop critical and creative thinking skills to become an effective decision maker and problem solver.
Develop effective communication skills, including listening, speaking and writing for a variety of school settings.
Develop a thorough understanding of the principles of child development, the learning process and instructional strategies, including the instruction of special-needs students.
Identify and apply appropriate classroom management techniques based on knowledge of law.
Identify and apply appropriate classroom management techniques based on knowledge of school policies and procedures.
Effectively utilize a variety of technologies for communication, problem solving and research.
Identify technology tools/media used in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning.
Utilize various technology tools/media used in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning.
Develop skills to interact effectively with students, parents, teachers and administrators in a diverse school society.
Develop interpersonal skills necessary to work in collaborative environments.
Develop a comprehensive pre-professional portfolio that demonstrates knowledge of the profession.

Related programs

Paraprofessional Educator Certificate

Next steps

For more information about the Paraprofessional Educator program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.