Educational Paraprofessional Associate of Science

This degree program prepares paraprofessionals (Instructional Assistants) to work with children in a variety of ways that enhance learning. Graduates will be able to assist classroom teachers in working with K-12 students, including students with special needs. This associate degree certifies that paraprofessionals are "highly qualified" as specified by federal legislation.

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Mt. San Antonio College’s Educational Paraprofessional Associate in Science degree is designed to meet the needs of students interested in seeking employment in school districts in both entry level and advanced positions from instructional assistants, teaching assistants to childcare works, preschool teachers, to early childhood education specialists and complies with the mission of the community colleges as established by the Legislature in Education Code section 66010.4. Courses required for the degree are specifically designed to prepare students to serve as paraprofessionals in education settings, including those designed for children with special needs and for children for whom English is their second language. Additionally, upon completing the Educational Paraprofessional Associate in Science degree, the student is prepared to transfer to an institution in one or more baccalaureate majors including Education, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, and Liberal Studies.

The Child Development and Education program at Mt. San Antonio College will provide courses appropriate for the General Education curriculum. This program provides a theoretical framework and practical experience for developing skills necessary to work directly with school personnel, students, children and their families. The program develops students’ skills and abilities in observation and assessing, planning and executing activities, and classroom management based on developmentally appropriate practices. 

Since the inception of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 1965 as a key pillar of President Lyndon Johnson’s ambitious “War on Poverty,” the federal government turned its attention to the subject of teacher quality as a component of student success. This emphasis on quality also included classroom paraprofessionals. When this Act was reauthorized in 2001, the goal was established that by the end of the 2005-2006 school year, all school paraprofessionals hired with Title I money must have completed at least two years of college, obtained an Associate’s Degree or higher, or passed an evaluation to demonstrate knowledge and teaching ability. 

Educational Paraprofessional Associate in Science degree involves every aspect of supervising, managing classroom, observing, documenting, individualized goal setting, planning, and implementing curriculum to support the individual developmental and learning needs of all students/children including students/children with special needs and other disabilities.

This degree provides districts with confident assurance that the holder has successfully completed coursework relevant to the teaching mission and is thus highly qualified to serve as a paraprofessional in the classroom. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Yr or S1)
Required Core Courses (18 units)
EDUC 10	Introduction to Education	3	Yr.1 Fall
CHLD 50	Teaching in a Diverse Society	3	Yr.1 Fall
CHLD 10 -(OR)	Child Growth and Lifespan Development –or-	3	Yr.1 Fall
CHLD 10 H (OR)	Child Growth and Lifespan Development – Honors –or-
CHLD 11 (OR)	Child and Adolescent Development –or-
PSYC 14 (OR)	Developmental Psychology or-
PSYC 15 (OR)	Introduction to Child Psychology
CHLD 1	Child, Family, School and Community	3	Yr.1 Winter
CHLD 68	Introduction to Children with Special Needs	3	Yr.2 Fall
EDUC 16	Aspects and Issues in Teaching	3	Yr.2 Fall
Electives - Two courses (6 units)
CHLD 80	Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs	3	Yr.1 Spring
CHLD 74	Program Planning for the School Age Child	3	Yr.1 Spring
CHLD 51	Early Literacy in Child Development	3	Yr.2 Fall
CHLD 84	Guidance and Discipline in Child Development Settings	3	Yr.2 Spring

None

Rio Hondo College (AA-T Elementary Teacher Education) Pasadena City College (AA-T Elementary Teacher Education) Los Angeles Mission College (AA-T Elementary Teacher Education Citrus College (AA-T Elementary Teacher Education) Cerritos College (AA-T Elementary Teacher Education)

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