Go from paraprofessional to certified special education teacher
Pathways for Paras
Our Pathways for Paras program will get you there. Earn a teacher certification in
K-12 Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Special Education or Birth-12 Blind & Low Vision
Special Education through MSU. Pathways for Paras is affordable, flexible and designed
for working paras. Get ready to become a special education teacher.
Become a Special Education teacher through the Pathways for Paras registered apprenticeship
program at Missouri State University! It is highly important that you complete each
of these tasks.
Read Mark Simmonds's story
From para to special educator to principal
Mark Simmonds worked as a paraprofessional throughout college. He's an example of
the pathway from paraprofessional to special education teacher. Read about how he
used his paraprofessional experience to inform his professional goals.
Missouri State continues to be the largest teacher education preparation institute
in the state. We support preparing the highest quality of educators while ensuring
that we partner with our K-12 schools.
Missouri State is the only certified apprenticeship for special education.
The Pathways for Paraprofessionals Program offers a teacher certification in K-12
Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Special Education that you work on collaboratively
with other paraprofessionals from area public school districts.
Using grants, scholarships, and other sources of funding, completing the program could
be at little or no cost to you.
Paraprofessionals earn college credit for practicum and student teaching on-the-job
while earning a salary as a paraprofessional.
Missouri State University coursework is offered online or evenings on Zoom.
Pathways for Paras students can take advantage of several accelerated master's programs
while completing their BSED, allowing up to 12 hours towards a future master's degree
before completion of their bachelor's.
The paraprofessional must work for a school district and meet the admissions requirements
of Missouri State University.
Applicants must hold a position or have opportunities to work and collaborate with
a K-12 Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Special Education classroom while participating
in the program.
Building Principal approval –Building Principal must verify:
Recommendation of paraprofessional for Pathways to Paras Program
Review of program requirements & approval of field placement competencies in the paraprofessional’s
position
Approval of Lead Teacher as appropriate “cooperating teacher” for supervision and
mentoring of paraprofessional seeking teacher certification.
Missouri State University offers an alternative certification option for persons with
a non-teaching bachelor's degree: The MSEd: Special Education Alternative Certification
Track (MSEd: SPE-SEACT) provides candidates with a master's degree + Missouri certification
in K-12 Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Special Education.
Candidates who work as paraprofessionals or teachers of record in a K-12 Mild/Moderate
Cross-Categorical Special Education program can complete their field placement at
their job site.
MSEd: SPE-SEACT students must be employed in a K-12 school district working with students
with disabilities. SEACT students are eligible for Missouri Department of Elementary
& Secondary Education (DESE) Provisional Certification in K-12 Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical
Special Education, which allows them to serve as the teacher-of-record while completing
certification & degree requirements.
MSEd: SPE-SEACT courses are fully available online.
Our academic advisors can offer options for completing the required general education
courses online at MSU.
Paraprofessional must agree to:
Engage in full completion of employment responsibilities while completing certification
and degree coursework and while working collaboratively with a lead teacher in their
school district.
Conduct field experience and course competencies on-the-job while working collaboratively
with a lead teacher in their school district
The cost of tuition per credit hour can be found here. For most of our students there are multiple financial aid opportunities through
grants and scholarships which can support you moving forward and make this a fiscally
responsible decision. Common grant funding includes the FASTrack Grant, the TEACH grant, and the College of Education scholarships. Additionally, if your school district offers the PLA coursework used in this program,
up to 17 credit hours of your required courses can be taught onsite. These courses
do not require MSU tuition but do require an assessment fee and can significantly
reduce the total cost.
Pathways for Paras is a partnership between school districts and Missouri State University.
Interested school districts can contact us to explore offering some of the required
coursework, referred to as PLAs (Prior Learning Assessments), on their own or in collaboration
with other districts. Communicate with your advisor to see if your district participates.
Yes. With an approved para or teaching position in a K-12 classroom, you can complete
all practicums and student teaching on the job.
District participation in PLAs is NOT a requirement. All required coursework can be
completed directly through MSU via online or Zoom classes. Your para position can
still be used to complete practicum and student teaching requirements as long as you
are in a qualifying classroom.
Unfortunately, looking at transcripts before you are admitted can only give a general
idea and may not be an accurate assessment of what coursework is needed. We encourage
you to apply and then we can give you an accurate assessment with your official transcripts.
PLA coursework can be presented in a variety of methods and formats, depending on
district preferences. Common options for completing PLA coursework may include evening
meeting times or embedding course requirements into professional development days,
back-to-school days, or other times that employees are already reporting to campus.
In addition, coursework may include practicums or application of knowledge and skills
in the classroom. These can be completed during the normal workday.
As previously stated, these district-led opportunities are not required for completion
of the program. If your district is not participating – or chooses not to participate
in the future – paras can still complete their field experience in their positions
at the district while receiving the same content through Missouri State University.
Missouri State University
Special Education/Cross Categorical Undergraduate Program - School of Special Education,
Leadership and Professional Studies
Hill Hall 318
901 S. National Ave
Springfield, MO 65897
