Paraprofessional Education, A.A.A.S.

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Academic Program Code: 420

This program is designed to prepare students to work as paraprofessionals in preK-8 classrooms and preK-12 Special Needs classrooms. It is designed to satisfy federal requirements for Title I programs. Courses are designed to build knowledge and skills related to human growth and development, the field of teaching, characteristics of learners, special education, instructional content and practice, the teaching and learning environment, behavior management, communication, diversity of families, health, safety and emergency procedures, and professionalism and ethical standards. Some of the courses in the program will also transfer into elementary teacher certification programs at four-year universities. Students should work closely with their advisor throughout the program to ensure transferability if they are interested in pursuing this option.

This program does include the courses required to meet the formal training hours required for the Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Students interested in this should contact the Education department for more information.

Contact: Child Development Education Department (616) 234-3380

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours of course work from the General Education Course list. Coursework must be selected as directed from the areas below.

English Composition and Communications

EN 101 - English Composition I Credit Hours: 3
Select one (1) course from the list below.
EN 102 - English Composition II Credit Hours: 3
COM 131 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
COM 135 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hours: 3

Humanities

EN 251 - Multicultural American Literature for Children Credit Hours: 3

Social Sciences

Select one (1) Social Sciences General Education Elective.

Social Sciences General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Mathematics General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
OR
Nat Sci Lab/Non Lab General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

General Education Total Credit Hours

15 (minimum)

Program Courses

CD 118 - Human Growth and Development I Credit Hours: 4
CD 209 - Creative and Language Arts for Preschoolers Credit Hours: 4
CD 215 - Adult-Child Interaction Credit Hours: 3
CD 229 - Math, Science, and Technology for Preschoolers Credit Hours: 4
CD 230 - Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education and Inclusion Credit Hours: 4
CD 260 - Emergent Literacy Credit Hours: 3
CD 280 - Internship in Child Development Credit Hours: 3
CD 285 - Assessment Tools in Child Development Credit Hours: 2
ED 200 - Introduction to Education Credit Hours: 3

Program Options

Students should select the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) OR General Option.

MTA - Program Option

Select one (1) Humanities General Education Elective from a subject area other than EN. Select one (1) Social Sciences General Education Elective from a different discipline than the course taken to meet the General Education requirement. Select a Natural Sciences General Education course from a discipline other than the course taken to meet the General Education requirement (one must be a Lab science).

Humanities General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Social Sciences General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Nat Sci Lab General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Mathematics General Education - Elective (Must meet MTA requirements) Credit Hours: varies by course

General - Program Option

ED 220 is recommended to meet one of the Open Electives for this program.

Open Course - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Open Course - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Open Course - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Open Course - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Total Credit Hours

Program Notes

CD 118, CD 209, CD 229, and CD 230 Note: Students enrolled in Child Development Lab classes (CD 118 , CD 209 , CD 229 , and CD 230 ) must undergo a Criminal Background Check and a Department of Human Services Central Registry Check. Being convicted of ANY FELONY, any of the listed offenses as defined by MCL 28.722 (Sex Offenders Registration Act; Act 295 of 1994), or being listed on the Michigan Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry will result in refusal of lab placement and removal from the course. Complete policy information is provided on the GRCC Website. CD 260 Note: Students enrolled in CD 260 are required to participate in tutoring through the Schools of Hope Program through Grand Rapids Public Schools and must undergo a Criminal Background Check and a Department of Human Services Central Registry Check. Being convicted of ANY FELONY, any of the listed offenses as defined by MCL 28.722 (Sex Offenders Registration Act; Act 295 of 1994), or being listed on the Michigan Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry will result in refusal of tutoring placement and removal from the course. Complete policy information is provided on the GRCC Website.