Program Summary

PARAPROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR/PRE-TEACHING - Certificate of Achievement

2021 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 - 2025

The Paraprofessional Educator/Pre-Teaching Certificate of Achievement clarifies and provides the path for future teachers of all 5 Teacher Pathways. Any student interested in teaching will be able to earn a certificate that is specialized for their individual pathway and that, depending on the pathway and discipline, will lead to either employment, an Associate's degree, or an Associate's Degree of Transfer, depending on the pathway and goal. Students must pair this certificate with the Paraprofessional Examination or add 27 additional units in order to gain employment as a Paraeducator.

Career Opportunities
Toddler/Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher, Elementary Education Teacher, Secondary Education Teacher (Single Subject), Career Technical Education Teacher, Special Education Teacher Paraeducator
Required Core (12 Credits)
Units: 12.0
EDUC 220
INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THE PARAEDUCATOR PROFESSION
3.0
CDFS 201
CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
3.0
CDFS 202
CHILD, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY
3.0
CDFS 215
CHILDREN IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY
3.0
Complete one of the following five teaching areas of concentration:
Units: 9.0
Early Childhood (through age 8) Teacher Concentration (9 credits)
Units: 0.0
CDFS 203
CURRICULUM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
3.0
CDFS 205
INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
3.0
CDFS 236
INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
3.0
Elementary Teacher Concentration (9 credits)
Units: 0.0
EDUC 200
INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION
3.0
CDFS 236
INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
3.0
CDFS 237
CURRICULUM AND STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
3.0
Secondary (Single Subject) Teacher Concentration (9 credits)
Units: 0.0
EDUC 200
INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION
3.0
6 units of Single Subject Credential concentration area from Associate degree discipline courses
6.0
Special Education Teacher Concentration (9 credits)
Units: 0.0
EDUC 200
INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION
3.0
CDFS 236
INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
3.0
CDFS 237
CURRICULUM AND STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
3.0
Career Technical Teacher Concentration (9 credits)
Units: 0.0
EDUC 200
INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION
3.0
6 units from CTE field (Welding, Auto Tech, Culinary, etc.)
6.0
Total: 21.0
Program Outcomes
Construct a personalized teacher pathway program.
Student educational planning document
Discuss teaching strategies and approaches appropriate for students of diverse, needs, abilities and backgrounds.
Activity
Analyze major developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence in the areas of cognitive, biosocial, psychosocial and language development using standard research methodologies.
Essay
Critically assess the components of linguistically and culturally relevant, inclusive, age-appropriate, anti-bias approaches in promoting optimum learning and development.
Research paper
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the various responsibilities of a paraeducator and components of the paraprofessional’s role in the general and special education classroom.
Essay