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Instructional paraprofessional education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an instructional paraprofessional. Instructional paraprofessionals usually study psychology, business, or elementary education. 60% of instructional paraprofessionals hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 936 real instructional paraprofessional resumes to see exactly what instructional paraprofessional education sections show.
The most common colleges for instructional paraprofessionals are the Florida State University and the Florida State University.
There are also many online instructional paraprofessional courses to help get the education required to be an instructional paraprofessional.
There are certain instructional paraprofessional certifications that you should consider. These instructional paraprofessional certifications include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM).
What education do you need to become an instructional paraprofessional?
What degree do you need to be an instructional paraprofessional?
- Bachelor's, 60%
- Associate, 18%
- Master's, 13%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become an instructional paraprofessional?
- Psychology, 16%
- Business, 12%
- Education, 8%
- Other Majors, 55%
Most common colleges for instructional paraprofessionals
| Instructional paraprofessional common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Florida State University | 18.62% |
| University of Phoenix | 12.41% |
| Wilmington University | 8.28% |
| Ashford University | 5.52% |
| Delaware State University | 5.52% |
Best majors for instructional paraprofessionals
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 15.6% |
| 2 | Business | 12.2% |
| 3 | Elementary Education | 8.6% |
| 4 | Education | 8.2% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 7.3% |
Best colleges for instructional paraprofessionals
The best colleges for instructional paraprofessionals are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
An instructional paraprofessional with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for instructional paraprofessionals. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become instructional paraprofessionals.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
20 best online courses for instructional paraprofessionals
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1. Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom
Welcome to Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom! This course will help you apply strategies to the critical areas of K-12 virtual instruction to significantly impact virtual education. We will examine the pitfalls beginning teachers run into and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the greatest impact on student learning in a blended or online environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to empower your students to be voracious...
2. Instructional Planning with Genially
Genially is “the tool that brings content to life.” Genially allows you to map out a learning journey for your students using high interest images and interactive tools. But did you know that Genially is also a wonderful tool for organizing your lessons and units. With Genially, you can plan and organize your units in one central place, simplifying your planning process with templates created with teachers in mind! Throughout this project, we will work together to build your confidence using...
3. Instructional Design for ELearning
Designing Successful ELearning Courses. Learn from a multi-award-winning instructional designer...
4. Instructional Design for Classroom Training
Design effective and engaging in-person classroom training sessions and learning experiences from scratch...
5. Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education
This course provides those involved in educating members of the health professions an asynchronous, interdisciplinary, and interactive way to obtain, expand, and improve their teaching skills. These skills can then be applied within their own professional context, with a variety of learners, extending across many stages. After completing this course, learners will: 1. Understand educational theory as it relates to health professions education 2. Match instructional methods with desired...
6. Foundations of Virtual Instruction
Welcome to Foundations of Virtual Instruction! This course will help you 'up' your game and develop the advanced skills and techniques that elude even some of the most experienced virtual teachers in the K-12 space. Examine pitfalls and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the most significant impact on student learning in a blended or online environment. When you complete this course, you will be able to: • Craft virtual learning experiences that align with your...
7. The complete Instructional Designer course
Learn the skills to become an e Learning Instructional Designer for Corporate Learning and Development...
8. Instructional Design Pro (Part 1): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
9. Constructivism and Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education
This course is designed to help participants examine the implications of constructivism for learning and teaching in science, mathematics, and technology focused areas. Course readings, discussions, and assignments will examine constructivist views of learning, research on students' ideas and idea-based interactions, research on instructional approaches taking student ideas into account, and challenges in implementing constructivist perspectives in instruction...
10. Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops
How do we give instructions to a computer? Isn't programming hard? Not really! Whether it's giving someone directions to a nearby store or writing out some dance moves we frequently exhibit aspects of computational thinking in our everyday lives! This class teaches the first key concepts of programming -- sequences of instructions and basic counted repetition of instructions. For each concept, we'll start by helping you connect real-world experiences you are already familiar with to the...
11. Instructional Design Pro (Part 3): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
12. Instructional Design Pro (Part 2): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
13. Performance Assessment in the Virtual Classroom
Welcome to Performance Assessment in the Virtual Classroom! This course will help you effectively assess student performance virtually, including compliance issues, feedback models, online grade book functions, and data analysis. We will discuss why effective measures of performance and assessment are a crucial component of any virtual program, and the importance of teachers and administrators understanding both the myths and challenges of assessing performance virtually, administering...
14. Instructional Design for Corporate Learning and Development
Giving you the tools to design and deliver on-point, effective corporate training programs...
15. Easy Instructional Harmonium for Yoga, Kirtans, Meditations
Easy instructional harmonium for yoga classes, kirtans and personal meditations...
16. The Perfect Golf Swing - Timeless Golf Instruction
Absolutely the best golf videos ever made, period. 99% of golf instruction is utter nonsense...
17. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...
18. Executive Briefing: Reinforcement Learning (RL)
Reinforcement Learning for Executives and Top-Level Managers: understand Reinforcement Learning in under 30 Minutes...
19. Practical AI with Python and Reinforcement Learning
Learn how to use Reinforcement Learning techniques to create practical Artificial Intelligence programs!...
20. Applied Behavioural Analysis(ABA): Application and therapy
# 1 rank Applied Behavioral Analysis(ABA)course. Step by step understanding and applications on ABA intervention...
Top 10 most affordable universities for instructional paraprofessionals
The most affordable schools for instructional paraprofessionals are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for instructional paraprofessionals are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for instructional paraprofessionals.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for instructional paraprofessionals
The hardest universities for instructional paraprofessionals to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for instructional paraprofessionals are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for instructional paraprofessionals based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for instructional paraprofessionals
The easiest schools for instructional paraprofessionals to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and gwynedd mercy university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an instructional paraprofessional without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for instructional paraprofessionals.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
8. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
9. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
10. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
Average instructional paraprofessional salary by education level
| Instructional paraprofessional education level | Instructional paraprofessional salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $35,814 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $33,050 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $33,946 |
| Doctorate Degree | $36,339 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $33,328 |
Instructional paraprofessional education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025