Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Paraprofessional

If you’ve always dreamed of working with children in a classroom environment helping them construct science projects, teaching them to read, and grading papers, then getting a paraprofessional associate degree might be for you.

Many people aren’t sure what a paraprofessional is (mostly because the name gives you no clues, right?). A paraprofessional is basically a teacher’s assistant. They help the teacher in the classroom as well as behind the scenes constructing lesson plans, planning projects, and grading papers.

Now, before the No Child Left Behind Act, becoming a paraprofessional was fairly easy. These days, however, qualifications are much more stringent which is why more and more people are going to school to get their paraprofessional associate degree. If you do not have at least a paraprofessional associate degree, you probably will not find a job in this field.

As a paraprofessional you’ll be working under a licensed teacher helping him or her manage the classroom. You might also be called upon to work one-on-one with a special-needs student, or one who’s learning is exceptional to the rest of the class. Oftentimes a teacher can’t devote the time these students need because they’re so busy with a group, but as a paraprofessional you’d have the opportunity to teach them on an individual basis.

With a paraprofessional associate degree, you’ll take classes like:

Family and Community
Observation and Evaluation
Classroom Management
Childhood Literacy
Instructional Methods
Child Development
Health and Safety
Educational Psychology
And much more!

With a paraprofessional associate degree you’ll be working with pre-school, elementary, middle school, or even high school students.

This degree is also perfect because it gives you a thorough background in education. If you decide later on you’d like to return to school to get your Bachelor’s Degree in Education, you’re already half way there. This can give you a great way to “test the waters”, so to speak, and find out if teaching is for you.

Now, earnings for paraprofessionals are a little on the low side right now. Starting salaries are generally around $20, 000 to $25,000, which is why many paraprofessionals go on to get their teaching certificate after a few years. If, however, you’re not sure that you want to teach forever then getting a paraprofessional associate degree can help you figure out if you like this field or not.

There’s no doubt that this field can be incredibly rewarding if you like kids and want to make a difference in their education. Because you have the opportunity to work one on one with many of your students you can impact them in a very positive way, or help them overcome hurdles that they might not make if they didn’t have the specialized attention you’re giving them. Plus, how can you beat the hours? You’re off by 3:00 and have summers and all major holidays off. There aren’t many careers that can boast that!

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information