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Paraprofessional to Teacher
Degree
Education Bachelor’s Degree
Department
At a Glance
If you’re a paraprofessional working in a New Jersey school but haven’t yet finished your undergraduate education, now is the ideal time to return to college – and not just any college, but TCNJ, with its stellar reputation for producing so many of the region’s top teachers and education professionals. TCNJ is committed to helping you earn a bachelor’s degree in education and to preparing you to become a certified elementary school teacher in the state of New Jersey.
Program Coordinator: Melissa Meagher, meagherm@tcnj.edu
Duration
- Full time: 2 years
Availability
- Online and hybrid*
Student Teaching
- required
Students benefit from:
- Online and hybrid learning: Structured classroom time and travel are things of the past. This program is all about flexibility.
- Reduced tuition: Save your hard-earned money. Tuition rates are discounted from on-campus costs with no additional fees.
- Duration: Work full-time as a paraprofessional and attend classes virtually part-time.
- Support: Orientation, workshops, and support programs are designed specifically for returning students.
- Transfer credits: You can transfer a maximum of 96 credits.
Application Requirements
Apply online and select the “Paraprofessionals to Teachers” program. Our application process is simple and efficient, and you can waive the $75 fee with code “GROWTCNJ.”
You need to provide the following:
- One professional reference from your school’s principal
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Resumé
Credit Evaluation
- For students transferring credits, TCNJ generally accepts courses taken at the 100 or 200 level if the final grade received is a “C” or higher. Please keep in mind that this is a general guideline.
- For students transferring from a two-year college, TCNJ can accept a maximum of 66 credits (16.5 units).
- For students transferring from a four-year college, TCNJ can accept a maximum of 96 credits (24 units). TCNJ recognizes a student as being a junior if 64 credits have been earned (16 units).
- An academic evaluator in TCNJ’s Office of Records and Registration will conduct an official credit evaluation. Evaluations take place only after an applicant has been admitted. If you attend a New Jersey community college, please refer to the NJTransfer website for transfer equivalencies.
Costs and Aid
The cost of this program is $1,450 per unit with no additional fees.
Sample Plan of Study
Fall 2024
ELE 201 – Child and Adolescent Development
MAT 105 – Math for Elementary School
Winter 2025
ELE 102 – Children’s Lit
Spring 2025
MTT 202 – Methods for Teaching Math
MST 202 – Methods for Teaching Science*
*BIO 104 – Inquiries in the Life Sciences (prerequisite course to MST 202 for students who have not completed a prior lab science)
Summer 2025
RAL 221 – Literacy Strategies, Assessment & Instruction
SOM 203 – Social Studies Methods
Fall 2025
ELE 301 – Clinical I^
RAL 321 – Literacy Learning Across the Curriculum
Winter 2026
ELE 113 – Special Education and the Arts
Spring 2026
ELE 490 – Student Teaching^
ELE 498 – Seminar
^ These courses are two units.
Course offerings are subject to change. This schedule shows the required education courses. Additional courses may be needed to complete 60 liberal arts credits for graduation.
Support Services/Systems
- TCNJ Today provides access to TCNJ’s systems (e.g., PAWS, Canvas, and TCNJ Email—Google Apps).
- PAWS is TCNJ’s electronic student database, where students can access grades, pay tuition, order transcripts, and apply for graduation. All students are assigned a PAWS ID. Get PAWS help.
- Canvas is a course-management tool that allows users to post messages and upload class materials.
- TCNJ Email: TCNJ sends all official communications, including your tuition invoice, only via email. If you don’t plan on using your TCNJ email account, it is critical that you permanently forward TCNJ emails to another email account.
