NYC Paraprofessional Program FAQ

Q: What courses are available for paraprofessionals?

A: Course selection will include classes offered from the Educational Studies department (EDST), Human Services department (HUSV), and Human Development department (HUDV) to name a few.

A: Course credits are four (4) and two (2) credits classes.

Q: What are the different types of courses I can take?

A: As a member of our School of Undergraduate Studies, you can take any type of course that is open to all our undergraduate students, including location-based study groups, online courses, residencies, and college-wide independent studies.

Q: Why is it important to matriculate?

A: Matriculating provides you with a mentor to support and advise you as you work your way toward earning your degree. It is often the case that Paraprofessionals earn enough credits to have received a degree. However, the only way to receive a degree from Empire State College is as a matriculated student.

Q: What courses and degrees am I allowed to take?

A: Paraprofessional students can take the full range of courses and degrees available to all of our undergraduate students.

Q: What is degree planning, and why is it important?

A: Empire State College begins with the premise that your degree program should serve your goals and aspirations, ensuring that every course you take is relevant to you and your future. The degree program planning process allows you a unique opportunity to take control of your academic experience as you map out a plan to enhance your life and shape your future.

To achieve this, you will work closely with an academic mentor in the degree program planning process to identify the best degree program possible for your needs. From what and how you study, the objective is to ensure you engage in a meaningful and relevant academic experience. There are many possibilities depending on your individual goals, but here is a sample degree plan for an Associate degree in Educational Studies.

For more examples of sample degree plans, please visit the Educational Studies Degree Planning Resources.

Q: I have an approved degree plan. Will the LABR courses that I have already taken count?

A: Yes. Courses on your approved degree plan that you have taken through the Harry Van Arsdale Center for Labor Studies (HVACLS) will continue to count towards your degree.

If you do not have an approved degree plan yet then you will still receive credit for the courses you completed at Harry Van Arsdale, but whether those credits can be applied towards the degree you are seeking will depend on your degree program plan. Please consult your mentor as soon as possible to develop a degree program plan.

Q: How do I search the college Catalog and Term Guide to see what courses are available for registration, and where these courses are offered?

A: The college has two main listings of courses. The course Catalog lists the courses that the college makes available. Many of these courses are offered as study groups and online courses, while some are offered only as independent studies.

A: Term Guide lists the courses scheduled to be offered in a particular term (e.g., Fall 2021), and includes information about the mode of study, location, meeting times, and so on.

Students can find both the course catalog and a number of term guides by signing into MyESC. There, you will find course information, a registration quick guide, and more helpful information to get you registered.

When looking at the term guide, you can search for specific class locations, classes carrying CTLE status, different subjects, and several other options.

Q: Will courses still be offered at the borough locations?

A: All downstate study groups will be virtual for Fall 2021, but we expect to return to face-to-face study groups for many paraprofessional courses in the various boroughs for Spring 2022. Paraprofessionals will still have access to online courses for Fall 2021. College locations in Brooklyn and Staten Island will be accessible for Spring 2022. Other locations are expected to be accessible by Summer 2022.

Q: Where can I find resources to help me plan my degree?

A: For matriculated students, your mentor will be your main point of contact for degree-planning assistance.

MyESC has additional degree-planning resources: See the "Degree Planning (Undergraduate)" icon link on MyESC Student Home.

 

Q: If the courses on my approved degree plan are no longer offered through HVACLS, can I substitute other courses?

A: In many cases, you will be able to substitute courses on an approved degree plan. However, you must work with your assigned mentor to formally amend your degree plan to reflect the new course titles. Each case will be slightly different, so close collaboration with your mentor will be important.