Special Education Teacher Assistant (A.A.)

The Associate of Arts degree in Special Education Teacher Assistant (A.A.) prepares students to assist special education teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade. They assist teachers in providing personal care, behavior, and learning support to students with diverse needs. To integrate the knowledge and skills acquired in the Program, all students will complete two internships in schools throughout their studies, one in a primary school and one in a secondary school.

The San Germán Campus is authorized to offer this program.

Competencies graduate's profile 

The Program is designed to develop the skills that allow the student to:

Knowledge

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. definitions and characteristics of the various impediments;

2. special needs of students;

3. educational intervention in the area of behavior, reading, writing and mathematics;

4. appropriate technological assistance for the intervention and better functioning of students with disabilities;

5. adaptation of teaching skills for students with disabilities;

6. basic sign language to help students with hearing impairments;

7. concepts of nutrition and first aid necessary for the care of students with disabilities;

8. concepts for the physical care of students with disabilities.

Abilities:

1. Use different educational adaptations for the better functioning of students with disabilities.

2. Master the most appropriate techniques for managing the behavior of students with disabilities.

3. Possess health management skills for students with disabilities.

4. Provide appropriate technological assistance.

Attitudes:

1. Value the professional role with responsibility and commitment.

2. Recognize the value of family, educational, legal and health services offered to students with disabilities.

3. Assess the ethical and legal principles involved in intervention with students with disabilities.

4. Demonstrate responsibility and commitment to personal and professional development and teamwork.

Academic Progress Requirements

The academic progress requirements for the proposed Associate of Arts degree in Special Education Teacher Assistant are:

1. Comply with all academic progress standards established in the General Catalog.

2. Pass all concentration courses with a minimum grade of B.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting all graduation requirements set forth in the General Catalog, the applicant for this Associate of Arts degree in Special Education Teacher Assistant through the two-year program must:

1. Be a regular student.

2. Have completed all the courses required in the Study Program, as established in the General Catalog.

3. Obtain an academic index of 3.00 or higher in the courses required for your degree.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER ASSISTANT

General education requirements	24 credits
Major requirements	37 credits
Total	61 credits

General Education requirements - 24 credits

GESP	Spanish - Select 6 credits from the GESP category	6
GEEN	English - Select 6 credits from the GEEN category	6
GEP-GECF 1010	Introduction to the Christian Faith	3
GEP-GEHS 2010	Historical Process of Contemporary Puerto Rico	3
GEP-GEIC 1010	Information and Computing Technologies	3
GEP-GEMA 1000	Quantitative Reasoning	3

Major requirements - 37 credits

EDUC 2020	Health, Nutrition and First-Aid	3
EDUC 2023	Principles of care of students with special educational needs	3
EDUC 2024	Crisis intervention in the classroom for children and adolescents	3
EDUC 2031	Developmental Psychology	3
EDUC 2053	Nature and Needs of Students with Autism	3
EDUC 2870	The Exceptional Student Population	4
EDUC 2880	Clinical experience I as teacher assistant at elementary level	2
EDUC 2885	Clinical experience II as teacher assistant at secondary level	2
EDUC 3290	Management of Student Behavior in the Classroom	3
EDUC 3420	Curricular Content, Diagnosis and Treatment of Learning Problems in Mathematics	3
EDUC 3440	Curricular Content, Diagnosis and Treatment of Literacy Problems	3
EDUC 3470	Technological Assistance, Curriculum and Materials for Teaching Exceptional Students	3
EDUC 3515	Basic Fundamentals of Sign Language	3