Education

• Teach in the classroom alongside professional educators serving diverse student populations
• Develop relationships to motivate students for academic and personal success
• Design dynamic classroom learning activities using modern technology and research-based practices

The Paraeducation Certificate option is a pre-professional program providing an essential core of education courses and field experiences to work as an educational paraprofessional. Students are advised to take the ParaPro Assessment to become “highly qualified” under federal law (Title I schools). The Paraeducation Certificate is aligned with the associate degree in Education; students who begin in the Paraeducation program can easily continue on to earn their associate degree.

The Associate in Science in Education provides a core of education coursework and field experiences, as well as general education requirements, for working with children or youth in diverse educational settings. Students can begin introductory coursework at Century that transfers into a teacher preparation program along with the option to complete the 40 credits of MnTC. This degree also fulfills the education requirements for paraprofessionals as “highly qualified” under federal law (Title I schools). If you are interested in transferring to a university teacher licensure preparation program, check specific transfer arrangements with the college of your choice with your Century College counselor or advisor. These discussions should take place early and often to ensure an appropriate program is planned for enrollment at Century College and at the University.

Transfer Pathway Degrees

Minnesota State Transfer Pathway Degrees are designed so you can complete a specific associate degree at a Minnesota State college and transfer to a Minnesota State university to earn a bachelor’s degree. Transfer Pathways can be a great resource for saving time and money as you work toward graduation.

Transfer Pathway degrees may transfer to colleges and universities outside of the Minnesota State system, such as private and out-of-state schools. It is highly recommended that students interested in this possibility contact their intended transfer school, advisor/counselor, and program instructors for academic planning assistance.

Elementary Education Foundations Transfer Pathway AS Degree

The Elementary Education Foundations Transfer Pathway AS offers students interested in teaching kindergarten through 6th grade a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Elementary Education bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

Special Education Transfer Pathway AS Degree

The Special Education Transfer Pathway Degree prepares students to identify and teach students with a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, physical, or developmental disabilities. Disability areas may include autism, speech and language impairments, blindness, deafness, or emotional disabilities. The curriculum has been specifically designed with the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers and includes the full Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). The Special Education Transfer Pathway AS degree offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer the entire completed degree to designated parallel Special Education bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities with junior-year status. This degree also prepares students for work as paraprofessionals or educational assistants in a PK-12 classroom.

• Student Checklist: Education Program Advising Guide

Cost & Financial Aid

As a two-year public community and technical college, Century College receives funding from the State of Minnesota, keeping tuition rates significantly lower than private colleges and universities. With affordable tuition rates and financial aid and scholarship opportunities, our students avoid student loan debt.

Financial Aid

Century College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our programs qualify for financial aid including grants, loans, and college work-study. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Century College’s Federal School Code is 010546.

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year, the Century College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.

 

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Transfer

• Transfer Information
  Advanced planning is critical when you transfer.
• Transfer Planning - Articulation Agreements
  These agreements help students transfer to four-year institutions.

Potential Job Titles

• • Teacher Aides/Paraeducators/Educational Assistants
  • Elementary School Teachers *
  • Middle School Teachers *
  • High School Teachers/Secondary School Teachers *
  * with a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree

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Salary Data

Teacher Aides/Paraeducators/Educational Assistants
Average Wage: $32,423.00/year
Top Earners: $45,833.00/year

 

Middle School Teachers *
Average Wage: $66,424.00/year
Top Earners: $84,820.00/year

Elementary School Teachers *
Average Wage: $64,360.00/year
Top Earners: $78,151.00/year

High School Teachers/Secondary School Teachers *
Average Wage: $70,609.00/year
Top Earners: $109,301.00/year

* with a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree.

Information gathered pertains to the seven-county metro area - careerwise.minnstate.edu

Additional Requirements

Students in the Associate in Science Education program are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of approved practicums or field experiences in PreK-12 classrooms. A MN Human Services Background Check may be required. Transportation is not provided.

A MN Human Services Background Study will likely be required for education field experiences. Individuals who have been arrested, charged, or convicted of any criminal offense should investigate the impact that the arrest, charge, or conviction may have on their chances of employment in the field of Education. For more information about the background study process and disqualifying crimes, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services at 651-296-3802.

Related Programs

Paraeducator

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