National University's School of Education offers programs to help paraprofessionals become special education teachers. These include certificate programs, bachelor's degrees with teaching credentials, and master's degrees. Paraprofessionals can obtain credentials in areas like mild/moderate disabilities, moderate/severe disabilities, and deaf education. The programs are available online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. Financial aid is available through grants, articulation agreements, and recent stimulus bills.

1. National University
School of Education
Department of Special Education

2. Who help children
•
learn
•
grow
•
succeed and THRIVE
•
Who are valuable assets
•
to the teacher, the
classroom, the
school, the district, and
the local community
Who are rooted in the
•
local community
NRC Para Conf 0509 2

3. Student support in one-
•
on-one
shadowing, tutoring, coac
hing, mentoring, feeding,
holding, containing, etc. in
Special ed classrooms
•
General ed inclusion
•
Teacher support in
•
instructional
delivery, classroom
management, community
liaison
School support during
•
playground, recess, lunch
NRC Para Conf 0509 3

4. in supporting
•
, teaching, encouraging,
and caring for students,
BUT
•
do so under a teacher’s
•
supervision, instruction
and guidance
LEGALLY.
•
You’re like teachers
•
without credentials…
NRC Para Conf 0509 4

5. NCLB requires a teaching license and a Bachelor’s
•
degree
Otherwise it depends on your state!
•
In California, you need
•
A Bachelor’s degree in subject matter
•
• English, Math, Science, Social Sciences are most desired
• Interdisciplinary studies, languages, etc are acceptable
• Some new degree programs combine with a credential
A teaching credential
•
A teaching position (internships available)
•
NRC Para Conf 0509 5

6. Good news (and bad news) is
•
That we have severe and persistent shortage of
•
special education teachers
That you have good chances for job security
•
Special ed services are mandated
•
You’re inoculated against the difficulties of the job
•
You’re generally very dedicated to the children
•
That paras who enter teaching tend to stay
•
That paras bring in the culture, knowledge and
•
concerns of the local community
NRC Para Conf 0509 6

7. There are many program options including
•
Curriculum pathways (current sampling)
•
Certificates
•
• Autism certificate (handout)
• Early Childhood Special Education
Bachelor’s degree programs with credentials
•
• BA with a concentration in Early Childhood
Education
• BA in English with credential (handout)
• BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with credential
(handout)
NRC Para Conf 0509 7

8. Continuation of Curriculum Pathways (current sampling)
•
Master’s degree programs
•
Masters of Arts in Teaching
•
Autism (handout)
•
Best Practices
•
Applied Behavioral Analysis
•
Early Childhood Special Education
•
National Board Certified Teacher Leadership
•
Masters of Sciences in Special Education
•
Deaf and Hard of Hearing with DHH credential (handout)
•
Masters of Education
•
Cross Cultural Teaching with credential
•
Best Practices
•
NRC Para Conf 0509 8

9. Credential offerings (with internship options):
•
CA Mild/Moderate
•
Serves students with mild/moderate disabilities including
•
learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, mild mental
retardation
Meets Resource Specialist Program requirements
•
CA Moderate/Severe
•
Serves students with more profound disabilities or
•
greater level of need; can be pre-academic/life skills
based programs
CA Deaf and Hard of Hearing
•
NRC Para Conf 0509 9

10. There are many instructional delivery options
•
including
Onsite instruction
•
• Traditional face-to-face model
Web-based instruction
•
• Instruction delivered from web to onsite NU centers
Online instruction
•
• Instruction delivered to your desktop at home or work
• Computer access also available at NU regional centers
Hybrid instruction
•
• Uses both onsite and online formats
NRC Para Conf 0509 10

11. Mission Statement:
•
NU is dedicated
to making lifelong
learning
opportunities
accessible, challengi
ng, and relevant to a
diverse student
population
NRC Para Conf 0509 11

12. 2008 Factbook (pamphlet)
•
Unique one course a
•
month format
• Year round entry/exit
• Accelerated pace geared
towards the adult learner
• Relevant, up to date
content and delivery
Next Step (pamphlet)
•
Accreditations
•
• Application process
NRC Para Conf 0509 12

13. Financial Aid
•
Federal, state, and local funding sources
•
Grants
•
• California Community College articulation agreement
• Para Pipeline (handout)
• PEBSE (handout)
Library System
•
Student Concierge Service
•
Tech Support Center
•
*Recent stimulus bill = your Opportunity!
•
NRC Para Conf 0509 13

14. Quality
•
Access
•
Relevance
•
Accelerated Pace
•
Affordability
•
Community
•
Contact: Joy Kutaka-Kennedy
•
jkutakak@nu.edu
•
408.236.1146
•
NRC Para Conf 0509 14

15. NRC Para Conf 0509 15