Graduate of Hamline's education program helping young student

Online Education Major for Paraprofessionals

Bachelor of Arts

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A program exclusively for K-12 educational paraprofessionals

This program is specifically for those working as educational paraprofessionals in K-12 schools. It was designed and created to help paraprofessionals complete their undergraduate degree and earn a teaching license quickly and cost-effectively.

With Hamline’s program, you will:

Complete your undergraduate degree and licensure completely online
Use your current workplace in a K-12 school to complete your field experience and student teaching hours
Jump right into your education classes—you can start your major classes right away and complete your general courses as you go
Enjoy small class sizes and supportive instructors who know how to support working adults to finish their degree
Get individual advising based on your specific needs, and we’ll work with your district to provide exceptional support

Online education major and concentrations

Education major (BA)—elementary education concentration

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to earn your K-6 elementary education teaching license.

Explore elementary education courses

Education major (BA)—ESL concentration

Get specialized training and expertise you’ll need to earn your K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) license.

Explore ESL courses

Education major (BA)—special education concentration

Choose from two special education teaching licensure areas: Autism spectrum disorder or academic behavioral strategist.

Explore special education courses

Get your master’s degree with just 2–4 more courses

Once you complete your bachelor’s degree with licensure, you can earn your master’s degree—improving your expertise and earning potential—with just two to four additional courses, depending on your licensure area.

Explore the Master of Arts in Teaching program

What you can expect from your online degree program

Affordable tuition

Not only do you pay a reduced tuition rate, you’ll also only pay for what you use. No hidden fees for things you won’t use as an online student.

See tuition rates

Financial Aid

Finishing college at Minnesota’s first university is one of the best investments you can make. Explore all the way Hamline helps.

Your financial options

Individualized support

Our top priority is making sure you have everything you need to be successful. That’s why we have staff dedicated to supporting you from day one through graduation.

Learn more

Online education major program details

Explore career paths for online education majors

Our innovative courses and one-on-one mentoring by faculty will give you the tools to succeed in a variety of jobs, such as:

Classroom paraprofessional
Social studies teacher
Writing coach
Nature center community educator in a non-school setting
K-12 principal
College professor

You can also put your degree to work in any number of fields, including:

Educational consulting
Test development
Curriculum design
Child psychology
Corporate training

Take your studies further with graduate school

Many education graduates have returned to Hamline to pursue advanced degrees and licenses in education. Our goal is to support you on every step of your journey in education. Post-graduate opportunities for education students include:

Additional teaching licenses, from teaching English as a foreign language to adult basic education
Administrative licensure for principals and superintendents
Education specialist degree (EDS)
Master of Arts in education
Master of Arts in literacy education
Master of Arts in natural sciences and environmental education
Master of Arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages
Doctorate in Education

Graduate programs at Hamline

Once you’ve completed your online degree from Hamline, you’ll qualify for our alumni discount if you enroll in our graduate programs and save 10% on the cost of tuition.

Frequently asked questions about the online education major

Yes, but federal or state grants will be prorated accordingly. You must be at least half-time (6 credits per term) to qualify for federal loans. If you are not using financial aid from federal or state funds, then you may register for the number of courses you feel most comfortable taking each term.
An advisor will meet with you to do an analysis of your transcript so that you know exactly how many credits will apply to your undergraduate degree. They will work with you to map out a timeline and course sequence to make sure you can move as quickly as possible through the program to achieve licensure and your bachelor’s degree. Please complete the transcript evaluation request if you would like to understand how your credits would transfer prior to applying for admission.
No. Becoming an ESL teacher does not require that the teacher be fluent in a language other than English. However, it is required that all teacher licensure candidates in any area in the state of Minnesota be fluent in English. ESL candidates must have one year (two semesters) of college foreign language courses or two years at the high school level. Non-native English speakers are exempt as it is assumed they learned English as a second language.
Elementary education license program: 49 credits

English as a second language license program: 51 credits

Special education - ABS: 55 credits

Special education - ASD: 57 credits
- It depends on the number and type of transfer credits you bring. Complete our request information form to connect with an admission counselor to get a more detailed assessment.
- With a fall start, a completed AA degree, and taking 16 credits each term it can be possible to complete a bachelor's degree with initial licensure in two years. But, most working adults prefer to take fewer credits at a time and take longer to complete the program
If you are receiving employer reimbursement for tuition, you will need to work directly with the student accounts office and the financial aid office to understand how that will impact your student loans and payment process
Yes! The federal TEACH grant is a great way to fund your education if you plan to teach in a shortage area such as special education or ESL. See eligibility requirements and download the application on our Grants & Scholarships page.

Contact information

Online Degree Completion

651-523-2900 (phone)

651-523-3058 (fax)

1536 Hewitt Avenue, MS-A1710
Saint Paul, MN 55104
United States

ODCadmissions@hamline.edu