Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway
Launching in Fall 2026!
The Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway offers a flexible, on-the-job educational option for current district employees to earn an elementary teacher education degree from Tarleton State University.
Featuring online coursework with a mix of flexible, on-your-own-schedule learning and scheduled live online class meetings, this program is designed specifically for working professionals. If you are a district employee in an instructional aide or other staff position who wants to be a teacher, this is the program for you!
Program Information
- 120-126 credit hours, depending on certification type
- Seamless transfer from community college to university
- Coursework is a combination of online and hybrid formats
- Structured support and regular check-in meetings
- Coursework directly tied to paraprofessional work
- Work-embedded components with mutual benefit
- One-year clinical or residency participation with a mentor teacher
- Potential workforce and/or district funding to offset costs
- District partners may offer additional support such as childcare, mentoring, or financial assistance
Who Should Apply?
This program requires you to be a current full-time school district employee. You will need to earn an associate degree before taking the university-level courses offered by Tarleton State University. Through our partnerships, we can help you find a community college that meets your needs for this portion of the program.
Through this program, we are currently serving paraprofessionals at districts within 60 miles of one of our instructional locations (Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, or Bryan). We welcome interest from paraprofessionals beyond our current service area as expansion efforts are in the works.
Ideal candidates are eager to move into a teaching role within their current district. Please note that you will spend four days per week in a classroom with a mentor teacher at your district that is appropriate for your certification area during the residency portion of the program.
To get started, some college credit is beneficial, but not required.
District Cohort Option
While individual paraprofessionals are welcome to join this program individually, school districts who are interested in partnering to prepare groups of paraprofessionals within their districts for teacher roles should consider forming a district cohort.
To form a district cohort, the school district must:
- Have at least 10 paraprofessionals ready to participate in the program (if fewer, we may be able to combine groups from multiple districts to form a cohort)
- Submit an MOU for teacher residency partnership with Tarleton State University
- Dedicate time and an on-district location for monthly cohort meetings
- Consider providing the recommended __ hours of release time for paraprofessionals in the program to complete coursework
Certification Options
- Early Childhood through 3rd Grade
- Early Childhood through 6th Grade
- Early Childhood through 6th Grade Special Education
- Early Childhood through 6th Grade Bilingual
All programs include the English as a Second Language (ESL) supplement.
Have Questions?
Please reach out to Dr. Anna Fox at afox@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9947.
Interested in a Traditional Program?
If this model is not right for you, paraprofessionals are always welcome to join us in the traditional elementary teacher certification program.
Collaborator Recognition
This program is designed by the North Central Texas Grow Your Own Apprenticeship Collaborative, comprised of:
- Alvarado ISD
- Cleburne ISD
- Education Service Center – Region 11
- Everman ISD
- Fort Worth ISD
- Hill College
- Tarleton State University College of Education
- Tarrant County College
- Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
- Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas