Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

Paraprofessional Educator

Degree conferred: Associate in Applied Science – 64 credits
Limited transfer degree
Program contact: Teacher Education Programs, (815) 921-3334

Program overview

This program is designed to fulfill the certification requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. It is intended for teacher aides and paraprofessionals who assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and math in a kindergarten through 12th grade educational setting.

Work and employment

Paraprofessional teacher aides prepare classroom materials, supervise students, and operate AV equipment under the guidance of the teacher. Other tasks include collecting and grading homework and tests, and recording results.

Certificate program also available

The 34-credit Paraprofessional Educator Certificate is a shorter preparation program for paraprofessionals who already have some college credit.

Paraprofessional Educator Course Requirements                            (22 credits)
    EDU     204     Introduction to Reading                (3)
    EDU     224     Introduction to Education                (3)
    EDU     202     Children’s Literature                (3)
    EDU     234     Introduction to Technology for Teachers        (3)
    EDU     244     Students with Disabilities in Schools        (3)
    EDU     274     Elementary School Practicum            (1)
*  MTH     216     Math for Elementary Teachers I            (3)
*  PSY     225     Child Development, or
*  PSY     271     Educational Psychology                 (3)

General Education Course Requirements                (21 credits)
Required courses below (15 credits)
*  ENG    101     Composition I                        (3)
*  ENG     103     Composition II                    (3)
*  SPH     131     Fundamentals of Communication            (3)
    PSY     170     Introduction to Psychology                (3)
    SOC     295     Racial and Ethnic Relations            (3)

Humanities and Fine Arts
(Choose one course below)                        (3 credits)
    HUM     111     Introduction to Humanities I: From the Ancient World to 1600            (3)
    HUM     112     Introduction to Humanities II: From 1600 to the Present                (3)
    HUM     210     Western Cultural Expression of Gender in the Visual and Performing Arts            (3)
    LIT         Any Literature Course except for LIT 155                        (3)
    PHL     150     Introduction to Philosophy                (3)
    ART     131     Introduction to the Visual Arts            (3)
    MUS     102     Introduction to Music                (3)
    MUS     104     Introduction to American Music            (3)
    THE     133     Introduction to Theatre                (3)

Math/Science (Choose one course below)                    (3 credits)
*    MTH     115     General Education Mathematics            (3)
*    MTH     135     Calculus with Analytic Geometry I            (5)
*    MTH     160     Topics from Finite Mathematics            (3)
*    MTH     211     Calculus for Business and Social Sciences    (4)
*    MTH     220     Elements of Statistics                (3)
     BIO     100     Introductory Human Biology                (3)
     BIO     103     Introductory Life Science                (3)
     BIO     106     Environmental Science                (3)
*    PGE     100     Physical Geography                    (3)
*    GEL     101     Introduction to Geology                (4)
*    GEL     103     Fossils and Earth History                (4)
*    ATS     105     Atmospheric Science                    (4)

Electives                                (21 credits)
    CHD     103     Nutrition and Health for the Young Child or
    FWS     265     Personal Fitness and Wellness            (3)
    EDU     245     Special Education Practicum            (1)
    ART     283     Art in the Elementary Schools            (3)
    Spanish (SPN), German (GRM), French (FRN)            (4)
*   PSY     276     Abnormal Psychology                    (3)
*   SOC     299     Marriage and Family                    (3)
    FWS     211     Drug and Alcohol Education                (3)
*   MTH     217     Math for Elementary Teachers II            (3)