Harper College is closed on Friday, April 18, for Reading Day.
Career outcomes 
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.
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.
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.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | Hours | |
| EDU 201 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
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 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
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. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/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 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Mathematics 1 | 3 | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology + | 3 |
Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with an 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 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| ECE 102 | Child Development | 3 |
Description: Provides a study of human development from conception through adolescence. Includes research methods and developmental theories. Addresses 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 of early childhood professional practice. IAI ECE 912 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EDU 211 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
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. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Elective(s) | 3 | |
| LIT 219 | Children's Literature | 3 |
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 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
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 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Third Semester | ||
| EDU 219 | Students with Disabilities in School | 3 |
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 emotonal 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 Illinoios Administrative Code 25, Section 25:25 for professional educator licensure. 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. IAI ECE 913 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EDU 250 | Introduction to Technology in Education | 3 |
Description: 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. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Elective(s) | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| EDU 202 | Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experience | 1 |
Description: 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. Lecture Hours: N/A Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 2 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EDU 230 | Introduction to Language Arts in Elementary/Middle School Teaching | 3 |
Description: 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. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EDU 220 | Diversity in Schools and Society + | 3 |
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, particulary in multicultural and global contexts. Includes examination of both social and global perspectives. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Elective(s) | 6 | |
| PSC 101 | American Politics and Government | 3 |
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 year. IAI S5 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with MGT 150 or Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who use Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
This course meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select from the following: | ||
| ANT 101 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
Description: Addresses such central questions as 'What does it mean to be human?" and "How did we get to be the way we are?" Among the topics to be examined will be human, physical and cultural evolution, the origin of culture, language, religion, kinship, economics and the impact of contemporary life on the world's populations. IAI S1 900N Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ANT 202 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
Description: Describes and analyzes how people throughout the world define and resolve the problems of life that are found everywhere. Some of the specific topics studied will be religion, social structure, law, "the unknown," economics and the formation of behavior within particular groups. IAI S1 901N Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ART 105 | Introduction to Visual Art | 3 |
Description: Introduces the visual arts with an emphasis on creating awareness of aesthetics, artistic concepts, media, theory and criticism. In addition, students will develop a critical understanding of art and build visual literacy. IAI F2 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ART 130 | Ancient and Medieval Art | 3 |
Description: Follows the historical development of the visual arts produced by Western civilizations, focusing on major artistic styles, works of art and monuments. Works are examined as examples of the ideas, beliefs and practices of artists, cultures and societies. Covers the history of art from pre-history to the medieval age. IAI F2 901 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ECE 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
Description: Provides an overview of early childhood care and education, including the basic values, structure, organization and programming. Examination of the student's personal qualities in relationship to expectations of the field. Directed observation in a variety of programs and settings. Six (6) hours of observation required. (NOTE: The program's health requirements must be completed prior to observation.) Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ECE 226 | Assessment and Guidance | 3 |
Description: Understands concepts of appropriate assessment, expected educational outcomes, the teacher’s responsibility in assessment and how young children develop and learn. Students will understand how appropriate assessments can measure and evaluate child growth and development and how the use of assessment tools can influence decisions in early childhood education with an emphasis on appropriate guidance techniques and strategies. Four (4) hours of observation are required. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in ECE 102 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ECE 250 | Health, Nutrition and Safety | 3 |
Description: Focuses on personal health of the individual, including nutrition and health and safety issues, with emphasis on meeting health needs for children in group settings. A healthy lifestyle, preventive health and community health are examined. One (1) hour of observation is required. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ECE 252 | Child-Family-Community | 3 |
Description: Concentrates on teacher's role in working with children within the context of family and community. Stresses effective communication, diversity, professionalism and social policy. Includes an in-depth study of community resources. Two (2) hours of observation are required. IAI ECE 915 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
Description: Continues ENG 101. Reading literature and writing of various types of prose. Introduces methods used in writing investigative papers. IAI C1 901R Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ESC 110 | Exploring the Earth and Universe | 4 |
Description: Examines topics in geology including rocks, minerals, plate tectonics and geologic time; meteorology including atmospheric science, severe weather and atmospheric dynamics; astronomy including the origins of modern astronomy, introduction to planetary science and cosmology.. IAI P1 905L Prerequisite: Placement into college-level mathematics without support. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| GEG 101 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
Description: Provides a thematic or regional introduction to the basic concepts of how world regions are constructed or classified. Using spatial analysis of both traditional and digital maps, factors will be explored to assess how regions evolve and are classified. Concepts will explore both developed and undeveloped regions connecting both human and physical geographical factors shaping and defining the classification of regions and interrelationships between them. IAI S4 906 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HST 111 | American Experience to 1877 | 3 |
Description: Surveys the American experience through the pre-revolutionary period, the expansion westward and the Civil War. Special stress is placed upon the social, economic, cultural, political and constitutional development of the United States. IAI S2 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HST 112 | American Experience Since 1877 | 3 |
Description: Surveys the end of Reconstruction to the present, with primary stress on political and economic development. Also includes social, intellectual and cultural phases, expanded role of government in national affairs and the participation of the United States in international relations. IAI S2 901 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| LNG 105 | Introduction to Language and Linguistics | 3 |
Description: Explores language - its origins, properties, use, structure, and meaning. Studies sound systems, word-information systems, syntatic systems, and derivations of meaning from spoken and written forms. Includes first and second language acquisition and properties of visual languages. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MTH 130 | Mathematics for Elementary Teaching I | 4 |
Description: Focuses on mathematical reasoning and problem solving and is designed to meet the requirements of the state certification of elementary teachers when taken in conjunction with MTH 131. The course examines the underlying conceptual framework for the topics of sets, functions, whole numbers, number theory, integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers and the real number system. Students are expected to be active participants in the learning process. They will apply mathematical reasoning in a variety of problem solving situations using estimation, models, tables, graphs and symbolic representations. The use of appropriate techniques and tools, such as calculators and computers, are a focus of investigations and discussion throughout the course. A weekly lab component is required. Prerequisite: MTH 070 (Plane Geometry) and MTH 080 (Intermediate Algebra) with grades of C or better, or other placement options. Click here for Math placement information: https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MTH 131 | Mathematics for Elementary Teaching II | 4 |
Description: Completes the two course sequence that begins with MTH 130 and focuses on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life problems, rather than on routine skills. The following topics will be studied in depth: geometry, counting techniques and probability, logic and statistics. Students are expected to be active participants in the learning process. Calculators and computers will be used throughout the course. A weekly lab component is required. IAI M1 903 Prerequisite: MTH 130 (Mathematics for Elementary Teaching I) with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| PHY 110 | Introduction to Physics | 4 |
Description: Examines topics from physics including motion, structure of matter, electricity and magnetism, waves and particles, and atomic structure. This course is intended for non-science majors fulfilling laboratory science requirements. IAI P1 900L Prerequisite: Placement into college-level mathematics without support. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| PSY 217 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
Description: Investigates the psychological development of humans from late childhood through adolescence and young adulthood. Emphasizes the theories, principles and empirically derived findings of Adolescence Psychology. Explores cultural and/or international contexts as well as normative and non-normative patterns of development. Discusses mortality during adolescence. Integrates the study of adolescent psychopathologies. IAI S6 904 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| PSY 228 | Psychology of Human Development | 3 |
Description: Investigates the psychological development of humans from conception to death, through grief and bereavement. Investigates the theories, empirically derived science and principles of developmental researchers and developmental psychologists. Emphasizes cultural and/or international contexts as well as normative and non-normative patterns of development. Discusses mortality throughout the life-span. Integrates developmental psychopathologies. IAI S6 902 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| SGN 101 | American Sign Language I | 4 |
Description: Introduces the student to American Sign Language with emphasis on comprehension and production of basic language functions, grammatical structures and level-appropriate vocabulary. Presents information about the Deaf community and culturally appropriate behaviors. Designed for students with no previous experience in American Sign Language. Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
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.