Paraprofessional to Teacher
Major in Elementary Education Unified (K-6) with an Emphasis in Paraprofessional to Teacher
Turn your passion for teaching into a career.
Are you currently employed as a paraeducator? Are you seeking to complete your initial licensure teacher education program? Paraprofessional to Teacher is an online program that prepares future educators to teach students in the general education or special education classroom.
Online Program
Para to Teacher Program is designed for working professionals to earn their Elementary Education Unified degree. Graduates are eligible for Kansas teaching licensure in Elementary Education Unified.
We partner with community colleges and P-12 special education interlocals. Leverage your Associate's degree or college credit hours to jumpstart your teaching career while balancing the demands of life.
Admission Requirements
- Complete admission application for teacher education
- Submit recommendations from a supervising special education teacher or other educational professionals familiar with your work as a student or special education paraeducator
- Meet basic skills requirements:
- Meet the state minimum on one of the approved paraeducator assessments:
- ParaPro Assessment
- Paraeducator Online Training (Master Teacher)
- WorkKeys OR
- ACT composite score of 22 or higher OR
- ACT sub-scores: Reading ≥ 16, Writing ≥ 6, and Math ≥ 16 OR
- SAT combined score of 1120 or higher (for exams taken after March 2016) OR
- Core scores: Reading ≥ 156, Writing ≥ 162, Math ≥ 142 OR
- Accuplacer Next Generation: Reading ≥ 255, Writing ≥ 255, Math ≥ 263 (Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics)
- Meet the state minimum on one of the approved paraeducator assessments:
- Complete EDUC 261 Explorations in Education with a minimum grade of "C"
- Complete module requirements (only for students transferring credit for EDUC 261)
- Earn a "C" or better in:
- ENGL 101
- ENGL 299
- COMM 207
- 3 credit hours of Math (above remedial level)
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
- Submit verification of employment as a special education paraeducator for at least one semester
Financial Assistance
Para to Teacher program students are eligible for financial assistance when enrolled for six or more credit hours per semester. To qualify, complete your FAFSA application (opens October 1 for the following academic year).
Through FAFSA, you may apply for:
- Pell Grant (based on financial need)
- TEACH Grant (for students committed to teaching in high-need/low-income areas)
Pittsburg State University offers general scholarships. Applications are due February 1.
The Kansas Board of Regents also awards scholarships based on various criteria, including:
- Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship
- Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship
- Kansas Military Service Scholarship
- Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance