Are you ready to move Nevada Forward?
The UNLV College of Education’s Paraprofessional Pathways Project provides a fast-track, high-quality pathway for paraprofessionals and school support professionals to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education and complete qualifications for teacher licensure in a single academic year. We even have funding through the Nevada Educator Preparation Institute & Collaborative (NV-EPIC) to support the cost of your program. The UNLV College of Education, along with various community partners, is also building a network of support committed to your success.
The Paraprofessional Pathways Project (PPP) was initiated in 2020 by UNLV College of Education Dean Danica G. Hays and UNLV President Keith Whitfield. Since its inception, both Clark County School District and the Nevada Department of Education have committed funding to help expand the reach of this pathway to licensure.
Is the UNLV PPP program right for you? If you answer YES to ALL of these questions, you may be a good fit.
Already have a bachelor’s degree? No worries! We have another program to help you achieve your goals. Click here for more information on our A-ARL Program.
What makes PPP different?
Cohort model
The program values relationship building and nurturing a community of learners. Why? Because the best way to move Nevada forward is to prepare diverse individuals with other diverse individuals who bring rich and unique experiences to the table. Our goal: developing a community of educators serving our communities.
ACCELERATED CURRICULUM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF WORKING PROFESSIONALS
PPP moves fast! But the program provides a high-quality experience tailored to the needs of working professionals that doesn’t sacrifice quality, time with your family, or take you away from your other responsibilities. Program courses are offered in a variety of online and in-person formats tailored to meet student needs by program area and students complete a bachelor’s degree in a single academic year.
Professional Development & Microcredentialing
Not everything will be learned in the classroom—UNLV’s or your school’s. The program offers world class professional development to give you new perspectives and ideas about how teachers move Nevada forward. NV-EPIC compliments PPP by offering free microcredential courses in partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD) designed to provide you with the tools and resources you need to be effective in a constantly evolving educational landscape.
Continued Mentoring & Support
Developed in partnership between the Clark County Education Association (CCEA), the Public Education Foundation (PEF), CCSD, UNLV, and other partners, PPP and NV-EPIC will support you with mentoring and induction for your first three years as a classroom teacher after the program ends. Why? Because your success as a teacher moves all Nevadans forward.
Funding Available
Costs never seem to stop rising. Gas prices, grocery prices, and even the price of your morning cup of coffee are skyrocketing. NV-EPIC works with a variety of partners to identify specific funding sources available to each student to ensure that program costs are 100% covered for each student.
PPP Program in the News
Nevada Public Radio | KNPR
New UNLV program helps fast track CCSD support staff toward teachership
From teacher shortages to lack of resources, the Clark County School District’s struggles are nothing new.
Which is why the “Paraprofessional Pathways Project” at UNLV is working on getting CCSD more teachers fast…
KVVU Las Vegas • Fox 5 News
UNLV program helps fast track dozens of support staff into teaching positions at CCSD
New funding opened a program at UNLV last year to attempt to make a dent in the teaching shortage at the Clark County School District. The first cohort graduated from the Professional Pathways Project this summer and are now teachers at the school district. Maria Romero was among the 36 graduates of the program and is now a first grade teacher at Harris Elementary School…
Las vegas review-journal
UNLV program helps paraprofessionals become teachers
Maria Romero has always wanted to be a teacher, but after her son was diagnosed with autism, her focus was on meeting his needs. Years later, she’s now realizing her career dream thanks to a UNLV program that helps those already working in schools earn a bachelor’s degree and become a licensed teacher…
KLAS Las Vegas • 8 News Now
UNLV program helps paraprofessionals become teachers
Staffing issues continue to plague the Clark County School District but there is a program at UNLV that is attempting to help fill the gap. UNLV’s Paraprofessional Pathways Project is helping new educators transition to a full-time teaching career…
Telemundo Las Vegas
UNLV gradúa Maestros en solo un año
Ante la falta de maestros en las escuelas del estado, la Universidad de Nevada ha creado un programa de licenciatura para los ayudantes de instrucción y personal de apoyo.
KTNV Las Vegas • 13 Action News
UNLV offers fast-track teaching program to assist with teacher shortages
In an effort to combat the current teacher shortage in the valley, UNLV has created a program to get more teachers into schools throughout Clark County.
“I have never had a life-changing experience like this one because this really opens the opportunities for people like me,” said Maria Romero, program coordinator for Nevada Graduates…
Cohort 3.0 Applications Are Now Closed
Thank you for your interest in UNLV’s NV-EPIC-supported PPP program. This program has been supported by funding from a Nevada Department of Education grant which will end mid-2024.
If you are interested in pursuing the Paraprofessional Pathway Project (PPP) as your route to attaining your educational goals, please fill out the form below.
I’ve Applied to PPP Cohort 3.0… Now What?
We know you’re anxious to get started in the program, but Cohort 3.0 won’t officially start until Orientation in April 2023. Here is what to expect from the NV-EPIC application timeline.
1
Admissions Review
completed by December 2, 2022
After you submit your application to UNLV, Counselors in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will review your application and documentation to see if you meet qualifications for acceptance to UNLV.
2
ESSC Review
completed by December 9, 2022
Once you have gained admission to UNLV, qualified applicants will be forwarded to the College of Education’s Education Student Services Center (ESSC) for a deeper transcript review to identify any General Education courses students need to complete before being considered to join the PPP Program.
3
NV-EPIC Review
completed by December 16, 2022
After the ESSC has reviewed applicant transcripts, their team will forward student academic plans to the NV-EPIC team. The NV-EPIC team will then review applicants submissions, including ranking videos, reviewing course requirements, and other documentation.
4
Conditional Acceptances
completed by December 19 2022
After completing the final review, the NV-EPIC team will send the following:
1) Conditional Acceptance Letters to students who have no General Education requirements to complete, we look forward to welcoming you Summer 2023 Bridge, the last step in the admissions process.
or
2) Conditional Acceptance Letters with Provisions to students who have General Education requirements to complete. These must be completed by May 2023 (see Step 5).
or
3) PPP Denial Letters for those who will not move forward in the process. Because you have already gained admission to UNLV, you may choose to pursue a traditional program at your own cost.
5*
GE Wrap-Up Semester
Spring 2023 Semester
For those who have conditional acceptances with provisions, you will have Spring 2023 to complete any remaining General Education courses (GEs). Costs for remaining GEs are NOT covered by the program. Only students with conditional acceptance and no remaining GEs by May 2023 will be advanced to the Summer 2023 Bridge in June.
Any students who have remaining GEs as of May 2023 will no longer be considered for the PPP program.
Questions? We’re here to help!
Send us a message via the contact form at the bottom of this page.
