Education Paraprofessional

What can I do with an Ed Parapro degree or certificate?

As an education paraprofessional, you work on a team with a certified teacher, classified staff, or administrator teaching, supervising, and supporting students.

If you work as a paraprofessional in a public school classroom, your duties may include helping the teacher direct learning activities for students, supervising test taking, or supervising other school activities.

Graduates usually work under the supervision of a teacher or a director. They may work as:

• A teacher's aide
• A classroom aide
• A special education aide
• An English Language Learners' aide

Graduates who continue on to complete a bachelor's degree and state teacher certification can become public school teachers or administrators.

Information Session

You are encouraged to attend an information session or contact one of the Professional Technical advisors for planning help.

Degree and Certificate Information [PDF Format]

• Associate in Arts Degree / Education Paraprofessional
• Certificate / Education Paraprofessional ---Click here for Gainful Employment details. 

What is the Education Paraprofessional program?

This professional/technical program develops the necessary core competencies for Paraeducators, Teacher Assistants, and Education Paraprofessionals. The curriculum is based upon the Washington State Skill Standards for General Paraeducators and the Washington State Core Competencies for Paraeducators.

Whatcom Community College's Associate in Arts degree and certificate programs for education paraprofessionals prepare students to work in public school classrooms as assistants to certified teachers. To provide quality instruction and supervision, public schools are now hiring more and more education paraprofessionals, or teacher's aides.

• Flexible course times accommodate working students, including evening, late afternoon courses, weekend seminars and independent studies.
• Work experience provides hands-on practice in the classroom.
• Individual courses may be transferable to a Washington State Teacher Certification program.
• Students are prepared to meet standards set by the Federal "No Child Left Behind" Act of 2001 and Washington State competencies. 

What are the prerequisites?

• There are no prerequisites for program entry, as students may enter any quarter and start the program. There are some prerequisites for individual classes, e.g. ENGL 100 is a prerequisite for ENGL& 101 and MATH 98 is a prerequisite for MATH 111.
• It is recommended that you finish the English and Math requirements for the degree or certificate within your first 30 credits. English and Math assessments are available by appointment. Call the Entry and Advising Center 360.383.3080 or the Testing Center 360.383.3050 to schedule an appointment.
• Computer Experience - extensive Windows-based application experience is needed for success in Education Paraprofessional classes. Students must have keyboarding and computer skills equivalent to OFFAD 100 and BIS 101. It is not necessary to have credit for these courses on a transcript. Students are asked to self-assess their computer skills using the above courses as guidelines.

When can I start?

Students may enter the Education Paraprofessional program any quarter on a full- or part-time basis.

What is the application process?

Apply to WCC online.

If you are unable to apply online, request a WCC application by email at admit@whatcom.ctc.edu, by phone 360.383.3001 or in person at the Entry/Advising Office, LDC 116.

There is no special program application for the Education Paraprofessional program.