Program Summary

PARAPROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR/PRE-TEACHING - Associate in Arts

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

The Paraprofessional Educator/Pre-Teaching Associate Degree clarifies and provides the path for future teachers of all 5 Teacher Pathways. Any student interested in teaching will be able to earn an Associate's degree that is specialized for their individual teacher pathway and that, depending  on the pathway and discipline, will lead to either employment or transfer. This degree also prepares students to work as Paraprofessionals in kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) school settings satisfying the "No Child Left Behind" requirements and Title 5 Paraeducator associate degree requirement for employment in school districts and is the foundation for many of the transfer degrees associated with each pathway.

Career Opportunities
Toddler/Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher, Elementary Education Teacher, Secondary Education Teacher (Single Subject), Career Technical Education Teacher, Special Education Teacher
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

Required Core meets 2 CSU GE Area D and Area E requirements. CDFS 215 meets AA/AS Diversity requirement.

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
Note that completion of CDFS 201, CDFS 202, CDFS 203 and CDFS 205 also meets the Child Development Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement requirements.
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
Note that EDUC 200 will meet teaching credential admission Intro to Teaching course and observation requirement.
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
Note that EDUC 200 will meet teaching credential admission Intro to Teaching course and observation requirement. (See Counselor for advice on which courses to take for your selected subject matter degree)
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
Note that EDUC 200 will meet teaching credential admission Intro to Teaching course and observation requirement.
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
(See Counselor for advice on which courses to take for your selected subject matter degree)
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