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Paraprofessional aide education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a paraprofessional aide. Paraprofessional aides usually study business, psychology, or liberal arts. 46% of paraprofessional aides hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,531 real paraprofessional aide resumes to see exactly what paraprofessional aide education sections show.
The most common colleges for paraprofessional aides are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online paraprofessional aide courses to help get the education required to be a paraprofessional aide.
There are certain paraprofessional aide certifications that you should consider. These paraprofessional aide certifications include Medical Assistant and Advanced First Aid & CPR.
What education do you need to become a paraprofessional aide?
What degree do you need to be a paraprofessional aide?
- Bachelor's, 46%
- Associate, 27%
- High School Diploma, 14%
- Master's, 5%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a paraprofessional aide?
- Business, 13%
- Psychology, 10%
- Liberal Arts, 8%
- Education, 8%
- Other Majors, 61%
Most common colleges for paraprofessional aides
| Paraprofessional aide common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 18.18% |
| Ashford University | 6.06% |
| University of Connecticut | 6.06% |
| Utah Valley University | 6.06% |
| Bowling Green State University | 5.05% |
Best majors for paraprofessional aides
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 13.5% |
| 2 | Psychology | 10.1% |
| 3 | Liberal Arts | 7.5% |
| 4 | Education | 7.5% |
| 5 | General Studies | 6.8% |
Best colleges for paraprofessional aides
The best colleges for paraprofessional aides are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A paraprofessional aide with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for paraprofessional aides. 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 paraprofessional aides.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
4. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
5. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
6. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
7. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
8. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for paraprofessional aides
Advertising disclosure
1. Psychological First Aid
Learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model: Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition. Utilizing the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition), this specialized course provides perspectives on injuries and trauma that are beyond those physical in nature. The RAPID model is readily applicable to public health settings, the workplace, the...
2. Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations
Learn how to engage your students and enhance learning in math and science with free virtual labs and simulations from the University of Colorado Boulder's PhET Interactive Simulations project (https://phet.colorado.edu/en). In this specialization, you will explore active learning strategies that you can incorporate into your own classroom, either online or in person. You will also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning experience by implementing a simulation-based lesson plan in...
3. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...
4. Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course
Become A Certified Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, Nurse Aide/ Caregiver At The End Of This Course. Enroll Now!!...
5. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners
In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...
6. Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher
Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases, there is no allowance made for the education of Deaf children at all. This 4-week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language-rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically,...
7. First Aid, and Children's Health: Your Complete Guide
Taught by a Doctor: Mandatory first aid course covering all of the common injuries and illnesses especially of children...
8. Pet First Aid (Advanced)
Learn essential knowledge and skills to be able to confidently carry out emergency first aid on a pet animal...
9. Critical Issues in Urban Education
Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy. We will...
10. Online Learning Design for Educators
This specialization is for educators seeking to improve and expand their repertoire of online teaching skills related to the design, development and delivery of effective and engaging online courses and lessons for school age and adult learners.\n\nLearning in the 21st century no longer takes place exclusively between the four walls of a physical classroom. With advances in technology, learners now expect to be offered flexible study modes outside of the traditional face-to-face model. This...
11. Mastering Planning Vol 1: Hourly and Daily Planning
Learn the system for planning on an hourly and daily scale and the PAMe La (Plan, Act, Measure, Learn) Planning System...
12. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs
Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
13. Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid is for anyone who wants to improve their safety in nature. In this specialization, you will find basic emergency medical care to help stabilize or evacuate injured or ill people in wilderness settings. The courses include an introduction to wilderness first aid, medical emergencies, traumatic injuries, and environmental emergencies. Join us as we learn from real-life scenarios and stories from wilderness experts and medical professionals...
14. 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...
15. First Aid: Learn How to Save a Life
Covers all first aid skills you need to know to save your loved ones and others in emergencies. Perfect for beginners...
16. Mastering Group Policy on Windows Server
An IT person's guide to managing Active Directory Users and Computers with Group Policy...
17. Time Management, Productivity, Decision Making Tools & Aids
Tools, aids, tips and kits to help improve personal productivity...
18. First Aid Masterclass: A Complete Guide to First Aid
The Complete Guide to First Aid and Emergency Medicine: Learn CPR, Heimlich, How to Stop Bleedings, Baby Care & More!...
19. First Aid
A guide to first aid for the common man. Covers sudden illness, wounds, burns, bone injuries and more...
20. St John Ambulance: Official Baby & Paediatric First Aid
Essential Lifesaving First Aid & CPR Skills for Parents, Guardians & Carers in an Emergency Situation...
Top 10 most affordable universities for paraprofessional aides
The most affordable schools for paraprofessional aides are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - dominguez hills.
If the best universities for paraprofessional aides 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 paraprofessional aides.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for paraprofessional aides
The hardest universities for paraprofessional aides to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for paraprofessional aides 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 paraprofessional aides 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for paraprofessional aides
The easiest schools for paraprofessional aides to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, d'youville college, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a paraprofessional aide 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 paraprofessional aides.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
5. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
8. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
Average paraprofessional aide salary by education level
| Paraprofessional aide education level | Paraprofessional aide salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $33,645 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $31,041 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $31,885 |
| Doctorate Degree | $34,140 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $31,303 |
Paraprofessional aide education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025