Paraeducator

Associate Degree Program

The paraeducator plays a critical role as a member of an educational team, working under the supervision of a teacher at multiple developmental levels in the classroom setting. Delaware Tech’s Paraeducator associate degree program will prepare you to provide support to both teachers and children in a K-12 school setting. Our program provides a foundation in academic skills, literacy and mathematics instruction, and child development theory through a comprehensive range of educational experiences. You will learn in a multicultural educational environment that supports sensitivity and respect for diversity. You will also learn how to effectively communicate information about student learning and behaviors in a collaborative manner with school, family, and community members.

Offered at the following campus(es): Dover, Georgetown, Wilmington

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

  • Paraeducator in a K-12 school setting

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

  1. Provide instructional support to K-12 students in literacy and mathematics in a professional, ethical, legal and effective manner under the supervision of a teacher.
  2. Apply knowledge of the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development of all children in a classroom setting.
  3. Demonstrate supportive classroom practices that utilize positive management techniques, foster character development, and promote a healthy and safe environment.
  4. Apply understanding of multicultural education and a sensitivity to and a respect for diversity.
  5. Access and implement educational technology.
  6. Communicate information about student learning and behaviors in a collaborative manner with school, family and community members.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Semester 1

Number Course Title Credits
SSC 100First Year Seminar1
ENG 101Composition I3
MAT 172Math for Teachers I: Numbers and Operations3
PSY 121General Psychology3
EDC 151The Role of the Teacher3
ECE 111Childhood Nutrition and Safety3

Semester 2

Number Course Title Credits
ENG 102Composition II3
EDC 125Child Development3
MAT 173Math for Teachers II: Rational Numbers and Probability3
 
BIO 140General Biology4
Or
BIO 150Biology I4
 
EDC 200Foundations of Literacy3

Semester 3

Number Course Title Credits
EDC 221Culturally Responsive Practices3
SOC 111Sociology3
HIS 112United States History Post-Civil War3
SPE 233Introduction to Exceptional Learners3
EDC 108Applied Concepts in Educational Technology3

Semester 4

Number Course Title Credits
Elective9
ENG 124Oral Communications3
EDC 211Classroom Management3
EDC 250Internship & Seminar4

Select one elective:

Number Course Title Credits
CLT 110Cross-Cultural Immersion3
ENG 129Creative Writing3
SPA 133Using Beginning Spanish3
COM 222Intercultural Communication3

To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 60 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program).

EDCAASPED

Campus-Specific Program Information
Contact Dover

Beth Altemus
Department Chair
baltemus@poscoop.com
(302) 857-1743

The Delaware Department of Education has granted full approval for the Paraeducator (PED) program.

Contact Georgetown

Bob Kime
Department Chair
rkime@poscoop.com
(302) 259-6568

The Delaware Department of Education has granted full approval for the Paraeducator (PED) program.

This program is offered at the Dover, Georgetown and Wilmington campuses.

Contact Wilmington

Samanta Lopez
Department Chair
slopezso@poscoop.com
(302) 830-5208

The Delaware Department of Education has granted full approval for the Paraeducator (PED) program.