Paraprofessional, AAAS

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Students preparing to be teachers need a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences as well as preparation in educational theories and hands-on experiences through active fieldwork. The goal of the education program at WSCC is to train you to think critically, value service and advocate for all children. WSCC students following the program outlined below are particularly well prepared to transfer to education programs at public universities.

Students must earn a minimum of 60 credit hours and have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to earn a degree. Students must also take any required third‐party exams, especially in the AAAS concentrations, such as NOCTI or NCLEX.

Courses by Placement/Transfer

The following courses may be prerequisites for your program depending upon your placement scores or transfer evaluation. Advisors can assist you to integrate these into your program of study during your first semester at West Shore. Contact Student Services at 231.843.5510.

ENG 054 - Integrated Reading & Writing 4 credit hrs
ENG 098 - Writing Essentials 3 credit hrs
MTH 051 - Pre Algebra 4 credit hrs
FYS 101 - First‐Year Seminar 2 credit hrs

Program of Study

Semester 1

EDU 104 - Introduction to Education 3 credit hrs
ENG 111 - English Composition I 3 credit hrs
MTH 100 level or above - 100 level Math course or placement equivalent of MTH 120 4 credit hrs
PSY 161 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credit hrs
SPN 101 - Elementary Spanish I 4 credit hrs (Recommended) or choose one Humanities Elective 3-4 credit hrs

Total: 16 Credit Hrs | 16 Contact Hrs

Semester 2

POL 151 - American National Government 3 credit hrs
PSY 262 - Child Psychology 3 credit hrs OR PSY 263 - Educational Psychology 3 credit hrs OR ALH 114 - Growth and Development: Life Span 3 credit hrs
COM 101 - Principles of Speaking 3 credit hrs OR COM 110 - Interpersonal Communications 3 credit hrs
Humanities Elective 3 credit hrs
Social Science Elective - Select one from Anthropology, Economics, Geography, or Sociology 3 credit hrs

Total: 15 Credit Hrs | 15 Contact Hrs

Semester 3

ALH 118 - Responding to Medical Emergencies 2 credit hrs (May be waived with valid CPR and First Aid Card)
EDU 205 - Reading Assessment & Methods 4 credit hrs OR EDU 222 - Children’s Literature 3 credit hrs
EDU 206 - Introduction to Special Education 4 credit hrs
Science Elective - Select one elective from ANP, BIO, BOT, CHM, GOL, PHY, NSC, ZOO 4 credit hrs

Total: 13 Credit Hrs | 15 Contact Hrs (min)

Semester 4

EDU 230 - Technology in the Classroom 3 credit hrs
Electives - Select with an advisor; recommended electives include courses in Early Childhood Education 14 credit hrs

West Shore Community + College – Start Here, Go Anywhere