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On-Line
Associate of Applied Science in Education
Highly qualified, rural school paraeducators have an
opportunity to earn an on-line Associate of Applied Science Degree in
Education. Students will retain employment with their school district
and can complete course work from their home computer.
The project pays for up
to 60
credit hours per student for 20 participants who will begin course work
in January 2006. One year of course work will be paid for 10 additional
students who will begin course work in January 2007. The grant provides
on-going advisory services to enhance student success from initial
enrollment to graduation.
Institutional
Capacity
Montana State
University-Billings College of Education is an NCATE accredited
institution. Faculty and project personnel have extensive experience in
developing the skills of future teachers. We will combine individualized
advisory assistance and distance learning course work for two
Associate's Degree cohorts. The AA degree process will provide
opportunities for participating schools to retain instructional support
positions and provide opportunity for career advancement.
I. Who is eligible
to Apply
Highly
qualified paraeducators employed by an
eligible rural
Montana School District.
II. Participant
Services
A. AA degree
participants will receive tuition assistance for required courses
pursuant to the on-line cohort
plan of study.
B. Highly qualified
paraeducators who wish to acquire an Associate's Degree will be
provided the opportunity to convert experiential learning into
transcript credit.
C. An eCollege
tutorial and training is provided for participants who have not
previously taken on-line college courses.
D. The project
coordinator and faculty advisor will provide on-going academic
support services and assist with the AA degree program process.
III. AA Degree
Requirements, Participation Standards and Long Range Benefits
A. To earn an
Associate of Arts in Education, cohort participants will
successfully complete a plan of study of up to 60 credit hours, maintain compliance with
MSU-Billings general catalog requirements.
B. Participants
are required to maintain an overall GPA of 2.65 or greater.
Participants must maintain an active record of on-line course
attendance.
C.
Participants are obligated to retain employment with a rural school
to retain project assistance.
D. Participants
successfully earn an AA degree and may be placed on a career ladder
priority list for potential appropriation programs leading to a
Bachelor's Degree in education and teacher certification.
IV. Application deadlines
for both Cohorts I and II closed and the project has filled all
fellowship seats. The project may accept applications continuously
through August 31, 2007. Additional students may be accepted, contingent
upon available project funds.
V. Competitive Selection
Process
Applicants should provide
all required documents to maximize competitive consideration for project
participation. A selection team will evaluate each application package
and assign a point value to each document. Each application will receive
a rank order placement. The top applicants will be selected to fill
vacant cohort seats. New participants will receive credits toward and
Associates degree with project assistance.
VI. How to Apply
A. To begin, please
complete the submission form below as an initial notice of interest.
B. Complete the
application package by mailing or forwarding via email the
following documents to Norma Wadsworth at the address or email at
the bottom of this page.
1. Verification
of highly qualified employment status from school administrator.
2. A letter of
interest.
3. A letter of
recommendation from your district superintendent or school
principal.
4. A letter of
recommendation from your supervising teacher.
5. Two essay
assignments:
a. Describe
your employment history and long range career goals.
b. Describe your computer and overall study
skills.
6. Applicants
who have attended college should submit copies of their college
transcripts. Applicants who have not attended college should
submit copies of their high school transcripts.
The project
coordinator will contact all applicants on or before December
16th
regarding application results.
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