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Pararprofessional Studies

Paraprofessional Studies

The Associate in Science major in Paraprofessional Studies prepares Paraprofessionals to work in public schools.  Students in this program acquire skill in teaching methods designed to support the classroom teacher in accomplishing student goals. Students graduating from this program are able to work as either General Education or Special Education Paraprofessionals. They are also able to continue on for a bachelor’s degree at Charter Oak State College in either Child Studies or Early Childhood Education, which prepares them for entrance into a teacher certification program.

This degree requires a minimum of 60 credits. All major courses must be completed with a grade of C or above.

Certification/Licensure Information

Students planning to work in a state outside of Connecticut are urged to check with their State Department of Education to determine if the Charter Oak State College Paraprofessional Studies program will meet their state requirements. Please review the Charter Oak State College website for information on how to obtain specific state requirements.

Major Requirements

ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3 cr

ECE 176: Health, Safety & Nutrition: Birth to Eight

3 cr

ECE 205: Diversity & Ethics in Early Childhood Education

3 cr

ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight

3 cr

EDU 100: Introduction to Paraprofessional Training

3 cr

EDU 101: Behavior Strategies for Paraprofessionals

3 cr

EDU 102: Exceptional Learners for the Paraprofessional

3 cr

EDU 103: Autistic Learner and Assistive Technology

3 cr

EDU 104: The Paraprofessional Internship

3 cr

SOC 210: Sociology of the Family

3 cr

Total

30 cr

General Education Requirements

All General Education and residency requirements must be met in order to earn a Charter Oak degree. Students enrolled in the AS in Paraprofessional Studies degree are exempt from the global understanding requirement and must complete either the US History/Government or Non-US History/Culture requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete an Associates of Science in Paraprofessional Studies will be able to:

  • Explain legal and safety requirements of paraprofessionals;
  • Apply education foundational knowledge and theory of child development;
  • discuss the various types of learners that are enrolled in schools and how various teaching strategies must be used with different types of learners;
  • Demonstrate effective dispositions for working to support all students;
  • Dommunicate effectively both orally and in writing to support teachers in developing effective partnerships within the school, with families and within the community;
  • Apply developmentally appropriate pedagogical techniques and classroom management strategies to meet the needs of all learners in both general education as well as special education settings;
  • Explain the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals in supporting the teacher in developing safe, healthy, inclusive and culturally pluralistic learning environments for students;
  • Explain the need for Individual Educational Plans for students and how to interpret plans; and
  • Support teachers in developing partnerships with families.

Paraprofessional Studies

The Associate in Science major in Paraprofessional Studies prepares Paraprofessionals to work in public schools.  Students in this program acquire skill in teaching methods designed to support the classroom teacher in accomplishing student goals. Students graduating from this program are able to work as either General Education or Special Education Paraprofessionals. They are also able to continue on for a bachelor’s degree at Charter Oak State College in either Child Studies or Early Childhood Education, which prepares them for entrance into a teacher certification program.

This degree requires a minimum of 60 credits. All major courses must be completed with a grade of C or above.

Certification/Licensure Information

Students planning to work in a state outside of Connecticut are urged to check with their State Department of Education to determine if the Charter Oak State College Paraprofessional Studies program will meet their state requirements. Please review the Charter Oak State College website for information on how to obtain specific state requirements.

Major Requirements

ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3 cr

ECE 176: Health, Safety & Nutrition: Birth to Eight

3 cr

ECE 205: Diversity & Ethics in Early Childhood Education

3 cr

ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight

3 cr

EDU 100: Introduction to Paraprofessional Training

3 cr

EDU 101: Behavior Strategies for Paraprofessionals

3 cr

EDU 102: Exceptional Learners for the Paraprofessional

3 cr

EDU 103: Autistic Learner and Assistive Technology

3 cr

EDU 104: The Paraprofessional Internship

3 cr

SOC 210: Sociology of the Family

3 cr

Total

30 cr

General Education Requirements

All General Education and residency requirements must be met in order to earn a Charter Oak degree. Students enrolled in the AS in Paraprofessional Studies degree are exempt from the global understanding requirement and must complete either the US History/Government or Non-US History/Culture requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete an Associates of Science in Paraprofessional Studies will be able to:

  • Explain legal and safety requirements of paraprofessionals;
  • Apply education foundational knowledge and theory of child development;
  • discuss the various types of learners that are enrolled in schools and how various teaching strategies must be used with different types of learners;
  • Demonstrate effective dispositions for working to support all students;
  • Dommunicate effectively both orally and in writing to support teachers in developing effective partnerships within the school, with families and within the community;
  • Apply developmentally appropriate pedagogical techniques and classroom management strategies to meet the needs of all learners in both general education as well as special education settings;
  • Explain the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals in supporting the teacher in developing safe, healthy, inclusive and culturally pluralistic learning environments for students;
  • Explain the need for Individual Educational Plans for students and how to interpret plans; and
  • Support teachers in developing partnerships with families.