Bachelor of Arts
Educational Studies – Educational Paraprofessional
with M.Ed. & Special Education Licensure Pathway
Take Educational Studies – Educational Paraprofessional to the Next Level with a Special Education Licensure
Tiffin University and Lourdes University have come together to design an academic pathway that allows students to pursue an educator licensure while earning their bachelor’s and master‘s degrees in just five years.
The pathway begins at TU, where students will complete their bachelor’s in education studies – educational paraprofessional in four years. During their third year, students will apply to Lourdes Graduate program. Upon acceptance, students will begin taking graduate-level courses in the evening on Tiffin’s campus during their fourth year, while completing their last year of undergraduate classes.
After graduating with their bachelor’s degree, students will continue taking master’s classes the summer following their fourth year through Lourdes on TU’s campus. The fifth and final year of the program wraps up with a spring semester filled with student teaching.
Graduates of this program will earn their Bachelors of Arts in Educational Studies – Educational Paraprofessional, and their Masters of Education in Special Education. This program also allows students to earn their special education licensure. Students are prepared after just five years to enter the teaching world, a career path currently experiencing a shortage, at a higher salary by earning their masters degree. This dual program creates well-rounded, professional educators ready to mold our future generations.
Career Focused
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies – Educational Paraprofessional with the M.Ed. and Special Education licensure pathway are prepared to immediately enter the workforce after graduation to begin their educational career. Through the 3+2 pathway developed by TU and Lourdes University, students grow in the necessary skills to acquire their special education teaching licensure, while also preparing them to become professional and compassionate educators.
The educational paraprofessional track prepares students for paraprofessional responsibilities, including providing staff support in an educational or childcare environment. Following this educational studies pathway allows students to learn how to best work with children individually or in small groups by providing basic instruction on reading, writing, math and other education related activities.
Completing this program allows students to enter the workforce earlier than a typical bachelors to masters pathway. By earning a master’s, students can anticipate a higher rank starting salary in almost any teaching position due to the higher-level skill development. With a state-wide educator shortage, graduates can anticipate a plethora of job opportunities, especially in special education.
Careers
- Special Education Teacher
- Intervention Specialist
- Special Education Director
- Educational Advocate
- Student Services Director
- Disability Services
Program Highlights
- Begin graduate classes in your fourth year
- Continue class just one night a week in year five
- Two degrees in just five years
- Licensure for mild-moderate special education K-12
Why Choose TU & Lourdes 3+2 Pathway?
In just five years, students will earn two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies – Educational Paraprofessional and a Master of Education in Special Education. TU’s educational studies – educational paraprofessional program equips students to work in education administration, but does not provide them with the opportunity to earn their licensure. The 3+2 program also allows students to become licensed educators in Ohio.
The skills explored through the educational studies paraprofessional pathway are invaluable when working towards an M.Ed. in Special Education and eventually working as a special education teacher or intervention specialist.
There is a shortage of educators that the State of Ohio has been working to address since 2022 with the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund. This program seeks to increase the number and availability of intervention specialists within local school districts and throughout Northwest Ohio.
This 3+2 pathway saves students time when earning two degrees, which traditionally takes a minimum of six years for a typical bachelors to masters pathway. Earning a master’s degree puts graduates at a higher pay rank than those with just a bachelors.
Application Process
TU Undergraduate Process
- Apply to Tiffin University using our undergraduate application
- As a TU student, declare your major in educational studies – educational paraprofessional
Lourdes Graduate Process
- Spring of your junior year at TU, you will apply to Lourdes graduate program
- The summer after your undergraduate graduation, you will continue taking Lourdes masters classes through TU to complete your fifth year
3+2 Breakdown
- Year 1: Declare your major as educational studies – educational paraprofessional at TU
- Year 2 & Fall of Year 3: Take your educational studies – educational paraprofessional classes at TU
- Spring of Year 3: Apply to Lourdes University’s M.Ed. program
- Year 4: Upon your acceptance, begin taking evening graduate courses through Lourdes while completing your remaining undergraduate requirements
- End of Year 4: Graduate with your bachelor’s from TU!
- Summer After Year 4: Continue taking Lourdes graduate classes
- Spring of Year 5: Complete student teaching and graduate with your master’s from Lourdes!
Degree Completion, Format, & Lourdes Program Curriculum
- Timeline: 5 years (11 semesters total)
- On-Ramps: Fall or Spring entry at TU; Spring starts may delay graduation time due to course offerings
- Off-Ramps: Students not accepted into Lourdes M.Ed. program may complete their bachelor’s in educational studies – educational paraprofessional at TU in four years and look to pursue their M.Ed. in the future
- Format: Seated (in-person at Tiffin University, some classes through Lourdes are held online)
Lourdes Program Curriculum:
- Foundations of Education of Individuals with Exceptionalities
- Collaboration between Schools, families, and Community Support
- Positive Behavioral Interventions for Individuals with Exceptionalities
- Instructional Interventions for Individuals with Exceptionalities
- Reading Diagnoses and Assessment
- Special Education Law and Policy
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Reading Comprehension Skills, Strategies and the Writing Process in Inclusive Classrooms
- The Role of Phonics and the Foundations of Reading and Writing
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of 153 credits across five years (TU and Lourdes combined)
- Satisfactory academic progress and a minimum 3.0 GPA, with no more than 2 Cs in the master’s coursework.
- Successful completion of required student teaching hours (15 weeks)
- Passing the Ohio educator licensure exam
FAQs for the 3+2 Med Program
Why would a student pursue the 3+2 opposed to the traditional four-year educational studies – educational paraprofessional program at TU?
- For licensure
- To have a wide range of grades you are certified in (K-12)
- Because you start your career with a Masters, at a higher salary point, and can start work toward a terminal degree early if desired
What happens if I don’t get into the M.Ed. program at Lourdes?
You still have a bachelor’s degree and can explore other master’s programs.
Do I get two diplomas?
Yes, one from Tiffin University at the end of year 4 and another from Lourdes at the end of year 5.
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