It's Your Education, Make an Informed Choice.

Today, a teacher’s aide is much more than the “classroom Mom” of years gone by. Teacher’s aides are professionals who give teachers valuable assistance in classroom management, instruction, and supervision. The presence of a teacher’s aide in the classroom can help teachers spend more time on curriculum planning and actual teaching. Students who are interested in working in the classroom as a teacher’s aide may want to consider seeking an associate of arts in interdisciplinary studies/paraprofessional teacher’s aide degree. This degree will allow students to broaden the scope of their education, because an interdisciplinary degree of study incorporates knowledge from several fields of study toward one area of interest. An associate of arts in interdisciplinary studies/paraprofessional teacher’s aide degree may incorporate classes from such diverse fields as psychology, social work, education, and art. While the student will take classes from a diverse array of fields, the focus of each of those classes will be as it relates to becoming a paraprofessional teacher’s aide. Most programs could take approximately two years to complete; many programs are now available for online degrees as well as in traditional campus settings. It is important to note that most educational settings require a complete background check for employment. Additionally, in order to become a certified paraprofessional teacher’s aide, candidates must complete an associates degree or higher and pass state or local assessments.

Example Courses

• Education Field Experience
• Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms
• Psychology of Children

Potential Industries

• Developmental Disability Education
• Elementary Education
• English as a Second Language Assistant

Colleges Offering Degree

• Kaplan University
• Phoenix University
• Ashworth College