LEVEL UP YOUR PARAPROFESSIONALS TO CERTIFIED TEACHERS

ACU and your district can partner to offer a unique set of fully online courses and exclusive pathways for motivated paraprofessionals in Texas. Dedicated to improving and developing future Texas educators, Level Up guides existing paraprofessionals toward achieving teacher certification in Texas and obtaining an online Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies degree during co-enrollment with the district’s selected educator certificate program.
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ACU and your district can partner to offer a unique set of fully online courses and exclusive pathways for motivated paraprofessionals in Texas. Dedicated to improving and developing future Texas educators, Level Up guides existing paraprofessionals toward achieving teacher certification in Texas and obtaining an online Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies degree during co-enrollment with the district’s selected educator certificate program.

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ACU knows every student’s journey is unique and we believe everyone can be successful, given the right tools and support. Whether you are hoping to advance in your current field or change to an entirely new one, furthering your education is the first step towards that change. Supported by a faculty of Christian scholars, we prepare undergraduate and graduate students for service and leadership in both their personal and professional lives.

One of America’s Best Colleges

Named one of America’s Top Online Colleges for the fourth year in a row by Newsweek and Statista Inc., ACU continues to set the standard for online education. With a commitment to delivering academic excellence in a flexible online format, ACU Online empowers you to achieve your goals without compromising your lifestyle. Experience a world-class education designed to help you succeed—anytime, anywhere.

Level Up

Turning Paraprofessionals Into Licensed Teachers

In today’s fluctuating workforce, setting one’s self apart by gaining the skills necessary to become a competitive candidate for future career opportunities is essential. Through Level Up, you will be offered the chance to advance your education by enrolling in ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies program. You will then enroll in your district’s selected educator certificate program in the last semester of courses.

Program Description

Credits may be transferred in from an existing associate degree, or paraprofessionals may complete an Associate in Teaching degree. Credits are then applied to ACU’s Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies program, which is uniquely designed to cater to adult learners and individuals with varied educational backgrounds and focuses. With the intersectionality of studying Psychology and Education (or other areas as appropriate and approved by ACU), you will be taught the foundational aspects of effective communication and how to create more diverse environments geared toward student success in and out of the classroom. You can connect your strengths with your goals by joining a cohort of paraprofessional educators on the same path toward expanding their role in the classroom and the teaching profession.

Program Cost

ACU’s partner organizations will receive a 10% tuition discount to aid paraprofessionals in Texas who are seeking a bachelor’s degree. If they’ve already obtained an associate’s degree or have completed some college coursework, paraprofessionals can enroll in our Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies program, and receive a $2,400 scholarship, which reduces the tuition to $21,300*, plus a $300 resource fee per part of term**.
Partners that enroll 20+ students in a term will receive a discount of up to 20% off tuition.
Additionally, PELL and TEACH grants may be available for some students and other financial aid may apply. Please speak with an admissions advisor to learn more.

*Tuition costs assume 60 hours to degree completion. The total cost of the degree program will vary depending on transfer credits.
**Assessment fees may apply. Contact us for more information.

Program Format

With 120 credit hours needed to achieve a B.S. in Integrated Studies, paraprofessionals with an existing associate’s degree could transfer up to 60 hours of credit, completing their degree in as little as two years. Developing a sense of self that integrates with personal strengths and vocational and social priorities, the cohort will focus on the vital role teachers play in their student’s development. For learners interested in entering the classroom as a new teacher, this example course progression for the final two years of the bachelor’s degree gives a better sense of the required classes needed to build their teaching skills:

Education Courses

EDUO 442Instructional Planning and Delivery for Classroom Teachers
EDUO 444Knowledge of Students and Student Learning for Classroom Teachers
EDUO 452Creating Effective Learning Environments for Classroom Teachers
EDUO 454Data-Driven Practice for
Classroom Teachers
EDUO 482Education Workshop 1
EDUO 484Education Workshop 2

Psychology Courses

PSYO 370Social Psychology
PSYO 305Peacemaking
PSYO 232Developmental Psychology
PSYO 392Child Psychology
PSYO 241Cognition and Learning
PSYO 388Teams and Team Leadership

Electives

BIBO 103Story of the New Testament
BIBO 211Message of the Old Testament
BITO 342Christianity in Culture
EDUO 490Clinical Teaching
INTG 420Integrated Studies Capstone

Teacher Certification Options

As part of ACU’s Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies, students have the opportunity to pursue teacher certification alongside their degree. This integrated pathway is designed to prepare future educators for success in the classroom while meeting the professional and academic requirements for certification in Texas.

Students enrolled in the BS in Integrated Studies program will be co-enrolled in an educator preparation program (EPP). This can be done through TXITE (Texas Institute for Teacher Education), your trusted regional education service center, or another approved EPP partner that aligns with the student’s professional goals and regional needs.

These certification programs offer comprehensive support, including coursework, field experience, and test preparation, ensuring that candidates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet Texas licensure requirements. The co-enrollment at the alternative certification program of your choice enables students to seamlessly integrate their teacher training with their undergraduate studies, providing a streamlined path toward certification and employment in the education field upon graduation.

 

WHY GET AN ONLINE DEGREE FROM ACU?

For the fifth year in a row, ACU is the highest-ranking university in Texas in the U.S. News & World Report “Programs to Look For” benchmarks focused on student success – placing in five of eight categories this year. Combine this educational excellence with the flexibility of an online format and it’s easy to understand why earning your degree from ACU Online makes sense. Whether you’re married and juggling work and kids, or a single professional meeting the demands of a growing career, ACU Online can fit into your busy life.