Paraprofessional Level IV Certificate of Achievement

This certificate of achievement will provide students with the necessary knowledge for working as an educational paraprofessional inside or outside of the classroom. The certificate of achievement courses will increase students’ knowledge base and increase the likelihood of success when working with school-age children and adolescents. The certificate may also serve as preparation for paraprofessional positions in the K-12 classroom, meet unit requirements for paraprofessionals, and incorporate subject matter to prepare students for the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). To Achieve the Certificate of Achievement: Upon completion of the following courses with at least a ‘C’ grade in each course, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

The number projected completers is 20 in its first year

This certificate of achievement will provide students with the necessary knowledge for working as an educational paraprofessional inside or outside of the classroom. The certificate of achievement courses will increase students’ knowledge base and increase the likelihood of success when working with school-age children and adolescents. The certificate may also serve as preparation for paraprofessional positions in the K-12 classroom, meet unit requirements for paraprofessionals, and incorporate subject matter to prepare students for the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). To Achieve the Certificate of Achievement: Upon completion of the following courses with at least a ‘C’ grade in each course, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

There is a local need for trained paraprofessional in education. Also, research shows the "Grow Your Own" model of training future teachers can help alleviate the teacher shortage by providing paraprofessional to teacher pathways. This certificate is the first in a sequence of stackable certificates leading to a local degree.

There are no other colleges in the region that has related programs. Students who complete this certificate will be more employable for entry-level paraprofessional positions in K-8 districts. The number projected completers is 20 in its first year. There will be nearly 500 yearly job openings in this field. This certificate aligns with the College Mission as it will provide educational opportunities for students to attain workplace skills. In addition, under the guided pathways framework, the certificate will empower learners and prepare learners for entry into the workforce which correlates to the Bakersfield College Strategic Direction of Student Learning. 

1. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to identify the requirements needed to be employable as an educational paraprofessional in or outside a classroom.

2. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to support the learning of mathematics, sciences, technology, writing, literacy, and health at the K-12 grade levels.

3. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to differentiate between the roles of paraprofessionals and professionals in and outside of the classroom.

4. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to think critically and communicate effectively in both oral and written form.

Core Courses (27 units)

CHDVB21 - Child Growth and Development: Birth Through Adolescence (3)

AND

EDUCB3 - Roles and Responsibilities of the Paraprofessional (3)

AND

EDUCB5 - Learning in Math and Science (3)

AND

EDUCB8 - Sociocultural Foundations of Education (3)

AND

EDUCB9 - Foundations of Literacy (3)

AND

EDUCB10 - Foundations of Educational Technology (3)

AND

EDUCB11 - Special Populations in Education (3)

AND

EDUCB13 - Social-Emotional Learning (3)

AND

EDUCB24 - Introduction to Classroom Teaching (3)

List A: Communication (3 units)

COMMB1 - Public Speaking (3)

OR

COMMB8 - Small Group Communication (3)

List B: English (3 - 3.5 units)

ENGLB1A - Expository Composition (3)

OR

ENGLB1AL - Expository Composition with Supplemental Instruction (3.5

List C: Math (3 - 4 units)

MATHB4A - Mathematics for Elementary School Teaching (4)

OR

PSYCB5 - Elementary Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (4)

OR

TECMB52 - Mathematics for Career Education (3)

List D: Critical Thinking (3 - 4 units)

COMMB5 - Argumentation and Debate (3)

OR

ENGLB1B - Introduction to Types of Literature (3)

OR

ENGLB2 - Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (4)

OR

ENGLB3 - Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature (4)

OR

COMMB15 - Argumentation and Rhetoric (3)

OR

HISTB9 - Historical Methods: Critical Thinking & Writing in History (3)

OR

PHILB7 - Introduction to Logic (3)

OR

PHILB9 - Critical Thinking and Advanced Composition (3)

List E: Health (3 units)

HLEDB1 - Principles of Health Education (3)

OR

PBHSB20 - Introduction to Public Health (3)

OR

PHEDB36 - First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (3)

OR

CHDVB49 - Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3)

List F: Physical Science (3 - 4 units)

ASTRB1 - Physics of the Cosmos (3)

OR

ASTRB2 - Life in the Universe (3)

OR

ASTRB3 - Solar System (3)

OR

ANTHB3 - Introduction to Archaeology (3)

OR

CHEMB10 - Chemistry and Society (3)

OR

ERSCB10 - Introduction to Earth Science (3)

OR

PHSCB12 - Physical Science (4)

OR

SOILB1 - Introduction to Soil Science (3)

List G: Life Science (3 - 4 units)

BIOLB8 - Introduction to Environmental Science (3) 

OR

BIOLB11 - Concepts of Biology (4)

OR

BIOLB18 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (4)

OR

CRPSB5 - Plant Science (3)

OR

PSYCB1B - Biological Psychology (3)

Total Credits

48 - 52.5