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Education Paraeducator

If you want to work in a school setting and make a positive difference in a young person’s life, a career as an education paraeducator could be an excellent path for you.

In this program, you’ll prepare to become an important member of the instructional team. You’ll learn about current and historical topics in regular and special education, instructional strategies, behavior management, human development and interpersonal skills in the context of a diverse society. The program includes hands-on experiences in schools.

Whether you want to support a teacher with learning in the classroom, or assist a student with a disability, this program will help open doors to a rewarding career in paraeducation.

Special Education (AAS): Provide services for children identified with disabilities, such as learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and developmental disabilities.

Early Childhood Education (AAS): Gain the skills to become a paraeducator who works with K-3 students.

School Library Media Technician (AAS): Become an education paraeducator or school library technician paraeducators in a K-12 library.

Paraeducator Certificate: Enhance your early childhood education degree with knowledge of working with children with special needs. As of January 2002, new federal guidelines require most paraeducators in public K-12 schools to complete a two-year program.

Education Paraeducator, Signing Paraeducator: This program includes core curriculum and is intended for those seeking paraeducator training with an emphasis in American Sign Language. Paraeducators assist in classrooms with children or adults in instructional settings under the direction of a certified teacher. Courses are offered online and/or on campus.

What You’ll Learn

  • Students will practice ethical and professional standards of conduct and comply with laws (such as IDEA, Section 504, ADA) and workplace policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality, reporting of abuse, discipline, chain of command and delegation and supervision
  • Students will display a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the job and are able to develop rapport and interact positively within the work environment as a member of the instructional team
  • Students are knowledgeable in the use of reinforcement, motivation and data collection to facilitate positive behavioral support and assist in instruction and learning
  • Students exemplify the philosophy that all individuals/participants can learn and contribute within a multicultural, inclusive context of children, families and colleagues
  • Students have documented performance indicators associated with the Core Competencies for Paraeducators in Washington State

You and your advisor will use this program map as a starting point to create a personal education plan customized to your needs. We meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Need more details? Check out the requirements for the AAS degree for Education Paraeducator. Notice that we offer the following options: Early Childhood Education, School Library Media Technician, Signing Paraeducator, and Special Education. Course descriptions and course learning outcomes can be found in our online catalogue.

Program Map for

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Total Credits: 92

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ECED& 105
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
5
ECED& 107
Health, Safety, Nutrition
5
ECED& 120
Practicum-Nurturing Relationships
2
EDUC& 101
Paraeducator Basics
3
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ECED 133
Practicum: Infant/Toddler Care
2
ECED& 132
Infant/Toddler Care
3
EDUC& 115
Child Development
5
EDUC& 130
Guiding Behavior
3
Total Credits
 
13

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ECED 191
Practicum: Observation and Assessment
2
ECED& 170
Learning Environments
3
ECED& 190
Observation and Assessment
3
EDUC& 204
Exceptional Child
5
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
Total Credits
 
18

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
EDUC 260
Educational Psychology
5
EDUC& 202
Introduction to Education
5
PSYC& 100
General Psychology
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ECED& 160
Curriculum Development
5
EDUC 275
Learning Disabilities
5
Choose 5 credit from:
BUS 113
Discounts, Markups and Markdowns
1
BUS 114
Solving for the Unknown and Business Math Review
1
BUS 122
Practical Business Math
3
BUS 123
Practical Business Math Applications
5
Total Credits
 
15

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ECED& 180
Language and Literacy
3
EDUC 270
Introduction to Developmental Disabilities
5
EDUC& 150
Child, Family, Community
3
Choose 1 course from:
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication
5
ICS 180
Child Abuse and Neglect
5
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations
5
SOC 230
Sociology of Gender
5
Total Credits
 
16

Maximum estimated costs for completing this program

  • Tuition

  • Resident

    $
    9,670
  • Non-Resident

    $
    17,705
  • International

    $
    21,965
  • Books

    $
    1,956
  • Course Fees

    $
    383
  • Institutional Fees

    $
    1,528

  • The amounts listed for tuition and lab & course fees reflects a maximum estimated cost and may be lower based on courses selected.
  • The amount listed for books is a maximum estimated cost based on the price of new textbooks purchased during the previous school year. Costs may be lower based on student choices and availability (used books vs new, rental vs purchase).
  • For more information about costs, visit our page How Much Does It Cost?

  • Leah Ruiz
    Leah Ruiz
    ESBS Pathway Specialist
    Leah.Ruiz@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3943

  • Elodie Goodman
    Elodie Goodman
    Dean Ss/Acct/Econ/Hum Serv
    B.A., M.A., University of Washington
    Elodie.Goodman@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3694
  • Bonnie Wagner
    Bonnie Wagner
    Spec Ed / Para Educator
    A.A., Spokane Falls Community College; B.A., Eastern Washington University; M.Ed., Washington State University
    Bonnie.Wagner@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-4209

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Leah Ruiz

Pathways Specialist
leah.ruiz@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3943
Building 16, Room 133D