Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Paraprofessional interpreter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a paraprofessional interpreter. Paraprofessional interpreters usually study special education, education, or business. 59% of paraprofessional interpreters hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 40 real paraprofessional interpreter resumes to see exactly what paraprofessional interpreter education sections show.
The most common colleges for paraprofessional interpreters are the Grand Canyon University and the Grand Canyon University.
There are also many online paraprofessional interpreter courses to help get the education required to be a paraprofessional interpreter.
What education do you need to become a paraprofessional interpreter?
What degree do you need to be a paraprofessional interpreter?
- Bachelor's, 59%
- Master's, 18%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 9%
What should I major in to become a paraprofessional interpreter?
- Special Education, 12%
- Education, 8%
- Business, 8%
- Human Services, 8%
- Other Majors, 64%
Most common colleges for paraprofessional interpreters
| Paraprofessional interpreter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | 5.26% |
| Grace College and Seminary | 5.26% |
| Ball State University | 5.26% |
| Central State University | 5.26% |
| Delaware Technical Community College | 5.26% |
Best majors for paraprofessional interpreters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Special Education | 12.0% |
| 2 | Education | 8.0% |
| 3 | Business | 8.0% |
| 4 | Human Services | 8.0% |
| 5 | East Asian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics | 4.0% |
Best colleges for paraprofessional interpreters
The best colleges for paraprofessional interpreters are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.
A paraprofessional interpreter 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 interpreters. 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 interpreters.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
3. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
In-state tuition
$55,453
Enrollment
4,312
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for paraprofessional interpreters
Advertising disclosure
1. Lesson Planning with the ELL in Mind
In this course you will learn how to design lesson plans around the needs of your ELL students and their language level through the analysis of content language and cognitive demands. You will learn how to align language objectives to the adopted standards of your school and content area. You will learn how to modify existing course materials as well as develop graphic organizers and languages frames to support ELLs’ access to content. Analysis of second language acquisition theories will be...
2. ELL Success in the Content Classroom: Teacher Toolbox Series
Plan lessons, activities and assessment with the ELL in mind, and create an engaging and welcoming environment for the ELL and their families.\n\nThis Specialization covers lesson planning and assessing with the ELL in mind as well as engaging the ELL student and their families in the school and community. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills you learned by creating an annotated lesson plan and assessment with appropriate modifications for the ELL students. You will also...
3. Complete Spanish Course: Learn Spanish Language Beginners
Spanish Course for Beginners - Learn Spanish Language - Subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Romanian...
4. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
Putting Theory Into Practice in the ESL/EFL Classroom...
5. Analysis and Interpretation of Large-Scale Programs
This course is for implementers, managers, funders, and evaluators of health programs targeting women and children in low- and middle-income countries as well as undergraduate and graduate students in health-related fields. Course participants will learn how to 1) transform quantitative components of an evaluation measurement plan into a sound analysis plan to address the evaluation questions, 2) conduct quantitative analyses of primary or secondary surveys or other available data, 3) interpret...
6. Enhance Student Learning through Kahoot
By the end of this project, you will have created a Kahoot collection that will engage your students during virtual learning or as a more engaging way to encourage practice and review at home or in the classroom. Teaching is constantly evolving. As we learn more about our students, we uncover new ways to ensure that they are not just learning - they are thriving. When we can connect our tech-savvy students to tech-connected learning, our students are more likely to enjoy learning. We can also...
7. Implementing Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom
Practical Strategies to Address Behaviour Issues in any Classroom...
8. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management
Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...
9. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
10. Preparation for CELTA Teacher Training
Learn the skills required to succeed in your CELTA training - gain practice in lesson planning and writing assignments!!...
11. Business English Course for ESL Students
Learn essential Business English vocabulary for presentations, meetings, negotiations, phone calls, e-mails, and more!...
12. ASL First 120 Basic Signs American Sign Language
Learn, practice, review, and master 120 fundamental signs in American Sign Language (ASL)...
13. Excel at Teaching English: Be a Better ESL Teacher
Increase Understanding, Increase Productivity, Increase Teacher and Learner Satisfaction...
14. The Ultimate Guide to Professional Event Planning Management
Learn techniques to become an amazing event planner. You'll get all the skills you need for event management & planning...
15. TESOL - Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Teaching Skills and Classroom Management...
16. 3 Minute Spanish - Course 3 Language lessons for beginners
Build on from the knowledge you learnt in Courses 1 and 2, and learn how to communicate in even more situations...
17. 3 Minute Spanish - Course 1 Language lessons for beginners
Learn to speak Spanish you can use in everyday real-world situations - all in just 3-minute chunks! Complete course...
18. Spanish for Beginners. The Complete Spanish Course. LEVEL 1.
Learn Spanish with the complete, non-stop SPEAKING method, in a matter of weeks, not years...
19. Complete English Course: Learn English Language Beginners
Learn English for Beginners (A1->A2+) with a Native teacher: English Speaking, English Grammar, English Pronunciation...
20. Teaching with Google Classroom
Learn how to create, use, and teach creative, memorable lessons using Google Classroom...
Top 10 most affordable universities for paraprofessional interpreters
The most affordable schools for paraprofessional interpreters are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for paraprofessional interpreters 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 interpreters.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
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 interpreters
The hardest universities for paraprofessional interpreters to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for paraprofessional interpreters 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 interpreters 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
5. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
7. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
10. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
Admissions rate
18%
SAT average
1,502
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for paraprofessional interpreters
The easiest schools for paraprofessional interpreters to get into are San Francisco State University, mount saint mary's university, and our lady of the lake university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a paraprofessional interpreter 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 interpreters.
1. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
6. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
7. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
10. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,019
Average paraprofessional interpreter salary by education level
| Paraprofessional interpreter education level | Paraprofessional interpreter salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $44,843 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $37,944 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $41,660 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $41,465 |
Paraprofessional interpreter education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for paraprofessional interpreter jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025