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Special population paraprofessional education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a special population paraprofessional. Special population paraprofessionals usually study psychology, business, or education. 53% of special population paraprofessionals hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 746 real special population paraprofessional resumes to see exactly what special population paraprofessional education sections show.
The most common colleges for special population paraprofessionals are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online special population paraprofessional courses to help get the education required to be a special population paraprofessional.
There are certain special population paraprofessional certifications that you should consider. These special population paraprofessional certifications include Medical Assistant and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
What education do you need to become a special population paraprofessional?
What degree do you need to be a special population paraprofessional?
- Bachelor's, 53%
- Associate, 26%
- Master's, 9%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a special population paraprofessional?
- Psychology, 11%
- Business, 10%
- Education, 8%
- Other Majors, 64%
Most common colleges for special population paraprofessionals
| Special population paraprofessional common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 15.79% |
| Southern Connecticut State University | 5.26% |
| Missouri State University | 5.26% |
| University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | 5.26% |
| Mercer University | 5.26% |
Best majors for special population paraprofessionals
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 10.7% |
| 2 | Business | 10.4% |
| 3 | Education | 7.5% |
| 4 | Elementary Education | 7.2% |
| 5 | Sociology | 7.0% |
Best colleges for special population paraprofessionals
The best colleges for special population paraprofessionals are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A special population 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 special population 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 special population paraprofessionals.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
8. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
20 best online courses for special population paraprofessionals
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20. (Oxford) Diploma in Art Therapy (Extended Master Course)
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Top 10 most affordable universities for special population paraprofessionals
The most affordable schools for special population paraprofessionals are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for special population 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 special population 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 - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
10. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for special population paraprofessionals
The hardest universities for special population paraprofessionals to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for special population 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 special population 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for special population paraprofessionals
The easiest schools for special population paraprofessionals to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, bluefield college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a special population 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 special population paraprofessionals.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
6. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
10. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
Average special population paraprofessional salary by education level
| Special population paraprofessional education level | Special population paraprofessional salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $35,090 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $31,981 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $32,985 |
| Doctorate Degree | $35,685 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $32,292 |
Special population paraprofessional education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025