Paraprofessional in Deaf Education, AAS

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The Paraprofessional in Deaf Education AAS Degree Program is offered for students who desire to enter employment directly after completion of this two year program. The program is open to qualified hearing or hard of hearing students.

Possible Employment Responsibilities: Classroom instruction in an aide position in classes with hard of hearing students, campus life dormitory supervisory positions, recreation and physical activity aide positions in an educational setting.

Possible Employment Positions: Classroom aide, dormitory supervisory personnel, recreational aide.

Possible Employment Locations: Classrooms for the deaf or hard of hearing, dormitory facilities for the deaf or hard of hearing, recreational/physical education classes for the deaf or hard of hearing.

Program Duration: Two years. Additional Prerequisite course(s) may be required depending on student’s prior training/education.

Prerequisites: Taking the Sign Language Proficiency test determining appropriate placement in SGNL 1301 , SGNL 1302 , SGNL 2301 , and SGNL 2302 .

Tech Prep agreement with San Angelo Independent School District.

First Semester

SLNG 1317 - Introduction to the Deaf Community 3 semester hours
ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 semester hours
SGNL 1301 - Beginning American Sign Language I 3 semester hours ¹
PHED Elective - Physical Fitness 1 semester hour
CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs 3 semester hours

Total: 13

Second Semester

SGNL 1302 - Beginning American Sign Language II 3 semester hours
SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking I 3 semester hours
BCIS 1305 - Business Computer Applications 3 semester hours
PHED Elective - Physical Fitness 1 semester hour
CDEC 1356 - Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood 3 semester hours
EDTC 1341 - Instructional Technology and Computer Applications 3 semester hours

Total: 16

Note: Transfer courses from other colleges/universities will not be automatically accepted for SGNL 1301 , SGNL 1302 , SGNL 2301 , and SGNL 2302 unless the student has successfully passed the sign language proficiency test with the appropriate score.

Third Semester

CDEC 2286 - Internship – Child Development and Early Childhood or Provider Assistant 2 semester hours ²
Humanities/Fine Arts - Choose from core curriculum 3 semester hours
MATH 1332 - Contemporary Mathematics I 3 semester hours
SGNL 2301 - Intermediate American Sign Language I 3 semester hours
EDTC 1321 - Bilingual Education 3 semester hours
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology 3 semester hours

Total: 17

Fourth Semester

SLNG 1346 - Working with Deaf-Blind Persons 3 semester hours
CDEC 2341 - The School Age Child 3 semester hours
CDEC 2287 - Internship II – Child Development and Early Childhood or Provider Assistant 2 semester hours ^3-4
PSYC 2314 - Life Span Growth and Development 3 semester hours
SLNG 1347 - Deaf Culture 3 semester hours
SGNL 2302 - Intermediate American Sign Language II 3 semester hours

Total: 17

Total Hours in AAS: 63

¹Indicates courses that can be articulated with high school
² A student who demonstrates competencies required for this course can substitute an elective.
³CDEC 1321 and CDEC 1358 only offered at the Howard College main campus
⁴ Capstone course

Students must provide their own transportation to and from internship sites.

PDE “Skills” Courses-Grade Requirements

In order for a student to advance to the next course within the PDE course of study, the student must pass each of the following “skills” courses with a grade of “B” or better: SGNL 1301 , SGNL 1302 and SGNL 2301 . PDE majors making a grade of “C” or below on any of these courses will be required to repeat the course. PDE majors are required to pass all other SLNG and CDEC courses with a grade of “C” or better. PDE majors making a grade of “D” or below on any of these courses will be required to repeat the course.