Educational programs don't typically prepare paraprofessionals for the clerical duties they perform on the job such as photocopying, filing and keeping attendance records. Teaching assistants do need to learn how to properly supervise students, privacy laws and their applications, instructional and tutoring basic concepts, safety issues and physical or occupational therapy strategies. They often set up equipment for movies or science experiments, check papers and record grades, activities that are typically learned on the job.
According to the BLS, most paraprofessional positions require only a high school diploma. The No Child Left Behind Act mandates assistants in some schools and programs hold a minimum of a two-year college degree however, so an associate degree increases an applicant's chances of getting a job. Many community and technical colleges offer paraprofessional associate degrees such as those at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Kaplan University online.
The associate and associate of applied sciences degrees from such schools include coursework in basic math (such as computational skills or math for elementary teachers), communications (college composition and speech), arts and humanities (world cultures or art in elementary schools) and social studies (psychology, sociology or anthropology). Students who think they may later pursue a bachelor's degree should work with an adviser to tailor their program to make sure credits will transfer. For instance, they may need to take college algebra instead of, or in addition to, applied math.
Required courses also focus on educational practices and working with special populations. Titles include introduction to educational practices, child and adolescent development, diversity, classroom management techniques, overview of special education, children's literature, technology in education, subject-specific methods and supporting students with disabilities. Programs typically demand some clinical experience, although specifics range from a single credit for Kishwaukee College to six for NWTC's program for instance. This experience allows students to apply skills and concepts from coursework in real situations under the close guidance of an experienced teacher.