Instructional Assistant, Special Education (AAS)

Description
This degree is intended to prepare students to work as a paraprofessional or instructional assistant directly in a special needs environment. A paraprofessional will work directly under a certified teacher in a Pre-K to 12th grade classroom. Duties may include the assisting in the implementation of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), assessment, observations, use of technology and personalized curriculum. Students must communicate effectively with parents, students, service teams and teachers.  The degree is not designed to transfer to another program but is to go directly to the workforce. All Education courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Career Opportunities
A wide variety of potential jobs with the associate degree only may include classroom assistant, classroom aide, and paraprofessional in a K-12 school district under a certified special education teacher. Salary ranges include $16,000 for classroom assistant or aide, $20,000 for paraprofessional.

Transfer paths and requirements
This program is not designed for students wishing to transfer to a four-year college for a bachelor’s degree. Students planning to transfer should consult with an MCC counselor.

Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Listed below are four options for earning the degree:

Source: MCC 2023-24 Catalog

TWO-YEAR PLAN FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 101B Introduction to Education 3 4 Fall, Winter and Online
ED 109A Parent Child Connection 3 4 Fall, Winter and Online
ENG 101 English Composition 3 4
CIS 110 or CIS 120A 3 3 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online Prerequisite for CIS 120A:  Completion of BUS 179 or equivalent recommended
Elective Course 4 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
Education Fieldwork Hours 50 Hours
Total Credit Hours 16  19

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 211A Behavior Management 3 4 Winter and Online
ED 216A Educating Exceptional Children 3 4 Winter and Online
ED 225A Child Development

or

ED 250A Human Growth and Development

3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
BCOM 102 Advanced Business and Technical Communications 3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online Prerequisite BCOM 101 or ENG 101
BUS 126 Business Math or MATH 105 3/4 3/4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
Education Fieldwork Hours 75 Hours
Total Credit Hours 15/16 19/20

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 202A Teaching of Reading in the Elementary School 3 4 Fall
ED 221A Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Problems 3 4 Fall Prerequisite ED 211
ED 230A Children’s Literature 3 4 Fall, Winter and Online
Education Elective 3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
BUS 127 or COM 101 3 3 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
Education Fieldwork Hours 100 Hours
Total Credit Hours 15 19

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 272A Education Practicum 3 6 Winter Prerequisite: ED 101A, ED 109 or ED 211; and ED 225 or ED 250; and instructor permission
Education Elective 3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
*Core Option (One Course) 3/4 3/4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
PEA 101A, PEA 103, PEA 104A, PEA 118, or PEA 201 1 2 Fall, Winter and Summer
PEA/DNC of choice 1 2 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
ED 234A Educational Psychology 3 4 Winter
Electives 2 2 If needed for 62 hours
Education Fieldwork Hours 255 Hours
Total Credit Hours 16/17 23/24

*Core Option – Select one
GEOG 104 Cultural Geography (FW)
PHIL 205 Business Ethics (FW)
PSCI 111 Introduction to American Government (FWSO)
PSCI 211 Comparative Governments (FWO)
PSYC 102 Applied Psychology (FWSO)
PSYC 201 General Psychology (FWSO)

MINIMUM CREDITS NEEDED FOR DEGREE – 62

Additional notes: This degree requires a cleared background check, which may include fingerprinting and a TB clearance. Fieldwork is required in all education courses. Courses are offered both face-to-face an online and delivery varies by semester.

THREE-YEAR PLAN FOR THREE-QUARTER-TIME STUDENTS

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 101B Introduction to Education 3 4 Fall, Winter and Online
ED 109A Parent Child Connection 3 4 Fall, Winter and Online
ENG 101 English Composition 3 4
Education Fieldwork Hours 50 Hours
Total Credit Hours 9 12

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 225A Child Development

or

ED 250A Human Growth and Development

3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
ED 211A Behavior Management 3 4 Winter and Online
BCOM 102 Advanced Business and Technical Communications 3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
PEA 101A, PEA 103, PEA 104A, PEA 118, or PEA 201 1 2 Fall, Winter and Summer
PEA/DNC of choice 1 2 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
Education Fieldwork Hours 50 Hours
Total Credit Hours 11 16

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 202A Teaching Reading in the Elementary School 3 4 Fall
BUS 127 or COM 101 3 3 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
Education Fieldwork Hours 25 Hours
Total Credit Hours 6 7

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 216A Educating the Exceptional Child and Young Adult 3 4 Winter and Online
Education Elective 3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
CIS 110 or CIS 120A 3 3 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online Prerequisite for CIS 120A:  Completion of BUS 179 or equivalent recommended
ED 234A Educational Psychology 3 4 Winter
Education Fieldwork Hours 75 Hours
Total Credit Hours 12 15

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 221A Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Problems 3 4 Fall Prerequisite ED 211
ED 230A Children’s Literature 3 4 Fall, Winter and Online
BUS 126 Business Math or MATH 105 3/4 3/4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
Education Fieldwork Hours 50 Hours
Total Credit Hours 9/10 11/12

Course Credits Contact Hours Semester(s) Offered Comments
ED 272A Education Practicum 3 6 Winter Prerequisite: ED 101A, ED 109 or ED 211; and ED 225 or ED 250; and instructor permission
Education Elective 3 4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
*Core Option (One Course) 3/4 3/4 Fall, Winter, Summer and Online
Electives 2 2
Education Fieldwork Hours 230 Hours
Total Credit Hours 11/12 15/16

*Core Option – Select one
GEOG 104 Cultural Geography (FW)
PHIL 205 Business Ethics (FW)
PSCI 111 Introduction to American Government (FWSO)
PSCI 211 Comparative Governments (FWO)
PSYC 102 Applied Psychology (FWSO)
PSYC 201 General Psychology (FWSO)

MINIMUM CREDITS NEEDED FOR DEGREE – 62

Additional notes: This degree requires a cleared background check, which may include fingerprinting and a TB clearance. Fieldwork is required in all education courses. Courses are offered both face-to-face an online and delivery varies by semester.