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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 and haven’t yet completed your bachelor’s degree, TCNJ offers a clear and supportive pathway forward. Build on the experience you’ve already gained in the classroom while earning your degree from The College of New Jersey, a respected leader in teacher preparation. Our program is designed specifically to help paraprofessionals complete a bachelor’s degree in education and meet the requirements to become a certified elementary school teacher in New Jersey. With personalized advising, strong faculty mentorship, and a curriculum grounded in real classroom practice, TCNJ prepares you to take the next step in your professional journey with confidence.
Program Coordinator: Melissa Meagher, meagherm@tcnj.edu
Duration
- Full time: 2 years
Availability
- Online
Student Teaching
- required
Reduced Tuition
- $1600 per unit
Degree
- Bachelor of Science in Education
Certification
- Elementary Education K–6
Students benefit from:
- Online learning: Structured classroom time and travel are a thing of the past. This program is all about flexibility.
- Reduced tuition: Save your hard-earned money. Tuition rates are discounted from on-campus costs.
- 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
- Essay
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 $1,600 per unit with a one-time assessment fee of $139.
Sample Plan of Study
The program consists of 13 units (or 52 credits):
Summer 1
ELE 201: Child and Adolescent Development
SPE 214: Creating and Sustaining Inclusive Classroom Communities
Fall 1
ELE 102: Multicultural Children’s Lit
SPE 322: Assessment, Planning, and Methods Inclusive Practices
Spring 1
RAL 220: Methods of Teaching Literacy I
MAT 105: Math for Elementary School Teachers
Summer 2
ELE 221: Methods for Teaching Science & Social Studies
RAL 320: Methods of Teaching Literacy II
Fall 2
ELE 394: Clinical I
MTT 202: Teaching Math in EC/ELE/MED School
Spring 2
ELE 490: Clinical 2 (2 course units)
ELE 498: Capstone Inquiry into Learning
Course offerings are subject to change. This schedule shows the required education courses. Additional courses may be needed to satisfy certification and graduation requirements.
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.
