Study Para to teach
Major in Elementary Education Unified (K-6) with an Emphasis in Para to teach
Turn your passion for teaching into a career.
Are you currently employed as a paraeducator? Are you seeking to complete your initial licensure teacher education program? Para 2 Teach is an online program that prepares future educators to teach students in the general education or special education classroom.
Para 2 Teach is designed for working professionals to earn their Elementary Education Unified degree. Graduates are eligible for Kansas teaching licensure in Elementary Education Unified.
The Para 2 Teach program partners with community colleges and P-12 special education interlocals. Leverage your Associate's degree or college credit hours to jumpstart your teaching career while balancing the demands of life.
Para 2 Teach Admission Requirements
- Complete admission application for teacher education
- Submit recommendations from supervising special education teacher or other educational professionals familiar with your work as a student or paraeducator
- Meet basic skills requirements:
- Meet the state minimum requirement on one of 3 approved assessments for paraeducators (ParaPro Assessment, Paraeducator Online Training (Master Teacher), or WorkKeys OR
- ACT composite score of 22 or higher OR
- ACT Subscore of Reading ≥ 16m Writing ≥ 6, and Math ≥ 16 OR
- SAT combined score of 1120 or higher (for exams taken after March 2016) OR
- Core scores of Reading ≥ 156, Writing ≥ 162, and Math ≥ 142
- Accuplacer Next Generation Scores of Reading ≥ 255, Writing ≥ 255, and Math ≥ 263 (Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics)
- Complete EDUC 261 Explorations in Education with a minimum grade of "C"
- Complete module requirements (only for students transferring credit for EDUC 261)
- Earn a "C" or better in ENGL 101, ENGL 299, COMM 207, and 3 hours of Math (above remedial level)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.50
- Submit verification of employment as a paraeducator for a minimum of one semester
Para 2 Teach Financial Assistance
Para 2 Teach program students are eligible for financial assistance when enrolled for six hours or more in a semester. To qualify, complete your FASFA application (opens October 1st for following academic year). Through FASFA, you may apply for a Pell Grant (based on financial need) or TEACH Grant (awarded to students committed to teaching in a high-need/low-income setting).
Pittsburg State University awards general scholarships. Applications are due November 1st.
Kansas Board of Regents awards scholarships for varying criteria:
- Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship
- Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship
- Kansas Military Service Scholarship
- Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance