Paraeducator Certifications

Paraeducators play an important role in our schools working with children under the supervision of a licensed teacher. Paraeducators assist students in a variety of settings including general education classrooms, special education settings, computer and media labs, lunchrooms, playgrounds, and school buses. Paraeducators are also called paraprofessionals, teacher associates, and teacher aides.

Hawkeye offers coursework for you to obtain a Paraeducator Generalist Certificate to work with K-12 students and the Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood Prekindergarten through Grade 3 Certificate.

Paraeducator Generalist (K-12)

Paraeducator Generalist Coursework at Hawkeye

In this program, you will take the coursework required for the Paraeducator Generalist Certification from the State of Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

  1. Complete the following courses:

  2. Then complete EDU-920 Field Experience

2023–2024 Tuition: $1,615

Registering for Paraeducator Generalist Coursework

  1. Search for Search for Courses and Course Sections.

    1. Term: Select a term from the "Term" dropdown menu.

      • Fall Term: August – December
      • Spring Term: January – May
      • Summer Term: May – August
    2. Courses and Sections:

      1. In the Subject dropdown, select "EDU Education". Then type in Course Number "210".
      2. In the next row, in the Subject dropdown, select "EDU Education". Then type in Course Number "240".
    3. Click the Search button to view the search results.

  2. See Guest Student Registration to learn how to register for your selected course sections.

Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood Prekindergarten through Grade 3

Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood Prekindergarten through Grade 3 Coursework at Hawkeye

In this program, you will take the coursework required for the Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood Prekindergarten through Grade 3 Certification from the State of Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

  1. Complete the following courses:

2023–2024 Tuition: $1,350

Registering for Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood Prekindergarten through Grade 3 Coursework

  1. Search for Search for Courses and Course Sections.

    1. Term: Select a term from the "Term" dropdown menu.

      • Fall Term: August – December
      • Spring Term: January – May
      • Summer Term: May – August
    2. Courses and Sections:

      1. In the Subject dropdown, select "ECE Early Childhood Education" Then type in Course Number "103".
      2. In the next row, in the Subject dropdown, select "EDU Education". Then type in Course Number "246".
    3. Click the Search button to view the search results.

  2. See Guest Student Registration to learn how to register for your selected course sections.

Apply for State Certification

The Paraeducator Generalist Certification and the Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood Prekindergarten through Grade 3 Certification application can be completed online at the Board of Education Examiners (BOEE) website.

  1. From the navigation menu at the top of the page select “License Types And Applications” then “Apply for/Renew My License”.

  2. Read through the Before You Begin... instructions then select the appropriate "I Agree" button.

Application fee for Generalist Certification: $115

Advance Your Career In Education

Continue your education in Hawkeye's Elementary Education Liberal Arts Transfer Major.

Students interested in the Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood Prekindergarten through Grade 3 Certification may continue their education in Hawkeye's Early Childhood Education program or Elementary Education Liberal Arts Transfer Major.

Child Care WAGE$® Iowa Salary Supplement Program

The Child Care WAGE$® Iowa program offers salary supplements (also called stipends) to the early care and education workforce, based on the individual’s level of formal education and commitment to their program. Learn more about the WAGE$ program.

Contact Information

Faculty Advisors

Last Names A – M

Jane Even
Black Hawk Hall 236
319-296-2329 ext.1431
Email Jane Even

Last Names N – Z

Emily Knutson
Black Hawk Hall 236
319-296-2329 ext.1558
Email Emily Knutson

Administrative Assistant

Kate Childers
Black Hawk Hall 258
319-296-4007
Email Kate Childers

Dean

Liberal and Applied Arts and Human Services

Dr. Mike Leary
Black Hawk Hall 258
319-296-4041
Email Dr. Mike Leary

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