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Leah Bittner

“The SMSU RN to BSN Program does not have you take a set amount of credits each semester. This flexible scheduling was perfect for me as it allowed me to vary the amount of credits I took each semester. I would have struggled without that flexibility as I am a non-traditional student who is also a wife, mother of four, and worked full time while completing my degree. This program is designed to fit into your life, whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student.”

Leah Bittner, '22 Alum
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paraprofessional residency program

RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

Residency Programs

Are you currently working in a K-12 setting and aspire to be a teacher?  Now you can do both through SMSU’s Education Residency Programs!

 

Apply Now

 

Program Overview

The Residency programs prepare paraprofessionals to earn the credentials to become successful educators in a rewarding career in Special Education, Teaching Multilingual Learners and Elementary Education. All courses are online. The programs enable continual mentorship between supervising teachers and teacher candidates.

Candidates for the program will already hold an AA degree and have completed the MnTC. The candidates can continue working as paraprofessionals while earning the Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS) K-12, Teaching English as a Second Language K-12, or Elementary Education degree.

Program Benefits

The program enables continual mentorship between supervising teachers and teacher candidates. Field experience placements will be set to accommodate the candidate's workplace and geographic location.

Graduates gain employment in school districts, learning centers, or area service cooperatives. Graduates with the Academic Behavioral Strategist, TESL and Elementary Education teaching license are open to many opportunities for employment across the state.

Why Choose Our Residency Program

“Deciding to join the para to sped program at SMSU was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I switched careers after COVID and began working as a special education paraprofessional, but after a year, I knew I wanted more. I went on the hunt for a program that was all online and allowed me to still work my job that I love. I never dreamed that it would be so easy to go back to school again! The professors at SMSU are amazing, extremely knowledgeable, and always willing to lend an ear to help. Being in an online program can be tricky, but these professors go above and beyond and are willing to jump on Zoom to help as needed. I never thought I’d be able to complete my student teaching while also doing my job as a para, but this program has made that possible.” - Jena Duncan – 2026 grad.

 

Residency Programs

Special Education (SPED) Pathway

The Sped: Para-to-SPED program prepares paraprofessionals to earn the credentials to become successful educators in a rewarding career. Candidates for the program will already hold an AA degree and have completed the MnTC. The candidates can continue working as paraprofessionals while earning the Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS) K-12 degree. All courses are online. The program enables continual mentorship between supervising teachers and teacher candidates. Field experience placements will be set to accommodate the candidate's workplace and geographic location. The field experience placements will cover three grade bands: K-4, 5-8, 9-12 and with students in each of the five disability areas served by the SPED: ABS licensure: ASD, DD, EBD, LD, and OHD. The coursework encompasses two years while working as a paraprofessional, taking 2-3 courses per semester. The culmination of the program is a one-year mentorship student teaching experience.

Learn More - Special Education

Elementary Education (ELE) Pathway

The Elementary Education Residency program prepares paraprofessionals to earn the credentials to become successful educators in a rewarding career. Candidates for the program will already hold an AA degree and have completed the MnTC. The candidates can continue working as paraprofessionals while earning the Elementary Education K-6 Teaching degree. All courses are online.

The program enables continual mentorship between supervising teachers and teacher candidates. Field experience placements will be set to accommodate the candidate's workplace and geographic location. The field experience placements will mainly be in an Elementary setting. The coursework encompasses two years while working as a paraprofessional, taking 2-3 courses per semester. The culmination of the program is a one-year mentorship student teaching experience.

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Pathway

The TESL Residency program prepares paraprofessionals to earn the credentials to become successful educators in a rewarding career. Candidates for the program will already hold an AA degree and have completed the MnTC. The candidates can continue working as paraprofessionals while earning the TESL K-12 Teaching degree. All courses are online.

The program enables continual mentorship between supervising teachers and teacher candidates. Field experience placements will be set to accommodate the candidate's workplace and geographic location. The field experience placements will cover three grade bands: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 in an English Learner Classroom. The coursework encompasses two years while working as a paraprofessional, taking 2-3 courses per semester. The culmination of the program is a one-year mentorship student teaching experience.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for the program will already hold an AA degree and have completed the MnTC. SMSU also offers the AA/MnTC pathway to fulfill this requirement.

Residency programs have a rolling admission application, but a prescribed course plan that requires a fall start.

Students should apply for the School of Education Teacher Prep Program by the end of their first year of courses. 

Resources

Cost & Financial Aid

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but you may earn your AA or complete your MnTC goal areas through SMSU. Once you have completed those goal areas, you will be able to apply for the Para-to-Sped program.  
Yes, the residency programs were designed to allow you to continue working as a paraprofessional and complete the program requirements within your school district. You will have placements in general education and special education, as well as teaching multilingual learners' classes across the grade bands of the elementary, special education, or TESL degree.  
The residency programs have a year-long student teaching mentorship. You will continue to work as a paraprofessional for half days and student-teach for the rest of the day. This mentorship opportunity is unique to the program and provides you with a unique opportunity to learn from a seasoned professional.  
The courses are planned for you to complete the program over a three-year sequence, including the year-long student teaching mentorship.  
A general guideline is to expect 2-3 hours of study time per week for each credit hour. This means a 3-credit course would typically require 6-9 hours of study time per week. 
Yes, all of your courses are online. You will be assigned an advisor who will help you answer any questions while you are in the program, help you register for classes, and support you in your journey to become a teacher.  
Yes, your principal and an additional building administrator will be informed of the program and will sign a form to that effect. They will agree to allow you to be in the program while working as a paraprofessional. You will be allowed to complete your requirements as agreed to in the signed form from the administrators. 
You will begin the program in the fall along with other paraprofessionals. The same group of people will be with you in all of your courses. You will have the opportunity to meet via Zoom, work in groups, and establish a support group as you continue throughout the program. Previous graduates of the program have continued their relationships with their program peers. In professional fields, this is referred to as networking, building a support group to answer questions you may have about the field, share experiences and joys. It is truly a benefit to the program. Establishing relationships in an online program can be difficult. The cohort model allows a bridge to eliminate this issue. 
 

Program Contact Information

Special Education

Dr. LeAnne Syring
Professor & Coordinator of Special Education Programming
507-537-6449
LeAnne.Syring1@smsu.edu 

TESL

Dr. Renee Ullom
Assistant Professor
507-537-7246
Renee.Ullom@smsu.edu 

Elementary Education

Dr. Christine Quisley
Assistant Professor
507-537-6212 
Christine.quisley@smsu.edu  

 

Information Session Dates

  • May 20, 9:30 a.m. CST 

Meeting URL:  

https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/96310052183?from=addon  

Meeting ID:  

963 1005 2183 

Passcode: 

898003 

Last Modified: 5/21/25 9:02 AM | Website Feedback