Paraprofessional in Deaf Education

THEA required
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree Progra

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 hard of hearing, dormitory facilities for the hard of hearing, recreational/physical education classes for the 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 SLNG 1304, SGNL 1302, 2301 or 2302.  Taking the Program Entrance Test determining qualification to enroll in the PDE major and appropriate placement in ENGL 0300 and/or ENGL 0303

*Tech Prep agreement with San Angelo Independent School District
PDE Kits – PDE students are required to purchase PDE kits ($100) at the time of registration.

Freshman Year

First Semester
Course    Semester Hours
SLNG 1317   3
SLNG 1371   3
ENGL 1301   3
PHED    1
CDEC 1313   3
Total    16

Second Semester
Course    Semester Hours
SLNG 1318   3
SGNL 1302 or SLNG 13051 3
SPCH 1315   3
ITSC 1309   3
PHED    1
Total    13

NOTE:  Transfer courses from other colleges/universities will not be automatically accepted for SLNG 1304, SGNL 1302, SGNL 2301 and SGNL 2302 unless the student has successfully passed the sign language proficiency test with the appropriate score.

Sophomore Year

First Semester
Course     Semester Hours
CDEC 22862   2
Humanities/Fine Arts  3
MATH 1332   3
PSYC 2301   3
SGNL 2301   3
SLNG 2315   3
Total    17

Second Semester
Course    Semester Hours
SLNG 1346   3
CDEC 2341   3
CDEC 22874   2
PSYC 2314 or 2315  3
SLNG 1347   3
SGNL 2302   3
Total    17
Total Hours   63

1Indicates courses that can be articulated with high school
2A 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
4Capstone course
5Students 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:  SLNG 1304, 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. 

PDE Certificate Program
THEA waived

The Paraprofessional in Deaf Education Certification program is offered for students who desire to enter employment directly after completion of this two semester program.

Possible Employment Responsibilities:  Classroom instruction in an aide position in classes with hard of hearing students

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

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

Program Duration:  Two semesters.  Additional semester(s) of basic skills courses may be required depending on student’s prior training/education.

Prerequisite:  ENGL 0313, ENGL 0323 and MATH 0302
PDE “Skills” Courses-Grade Requirements
PDE majors are required to pass all 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.  Taking the Program Entrance Test determining qualification to enroll in the PDE major and appropriate placement in ENGL 0300 and/or ENGL 0303

First Semester
Course    Semester Hours
SLNG 1317   3
SLNG 1373   3
CDEC 1313   3
PHED    1
ETWR 1371   3
POFI 2301   3
Total    16

Second Semester
Course    Semester Hours
SLNG 1318   3
SLNG 1346   3
SGNL 2301   3
CDEC 22861   2
CDEC 2341   3
Total    14
Total Hours   30
1Capstone course.  Students must provide their own transportation to and from internship sites.