The UFT is dedicated to helping paraprofessionals increase their earning potential by providing access to post-secondary education and career advancement opportunities. By accumulating college credits, paraprofessionals can significantly increase their pay. Whether your career path as a paraprofessional leads you to earn a bachelor’s degree or to earn a master’s degree and become a certified teacher, several UFT-backed programs provide professional and financial support. Read our FAQ to learn more about these career advancement opportunities.

What support is available for paraprofessionals who wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree?

The Career Training Program, which was created as part of the first DOE-UFT contract in 1970, pays tuition for up to six credits per semester for undergraduate study at participating colleges and universities to earn a bachelor’s degree. Program participants who are completing at least five credits in a semester are entitled to 2.5 hours a week of excused time with pay for travel from work to the college. This release time may not be used to attend courses scheduled during regular work hours.

Who is eligible to participate in the Career Training Program?

DOE-employed, full-time paraprofessionals who have not yet earned their bachelor’s degree are eligible. You must remain a full-time paraprofessional for the school year in which you apply. Paraprofessionals who are on an approved leave of absence before their first day of college classes are not eligible to participate. Substitute paraprofessionals are not eligible either.

What are the requirements for participants in the Career Training Program?

Enrolled paraprofessionals may take up to six credits per semester and must maintain a C or 2.0 grade point average. Participants must apply and update their application for a course voucher each semester.

How do I request release time?

Prior to the start of the college semester, paraprofessionals must submit a class schedule to the principal with the requested days and times for the release time. The paraprofessional must also submit official college documents as proof of enrollment in courses providing a total of at least five credits that semester.  The principal must have sufficient time to review, approve and/or request a modification to the schedule. The requested days and times must be the same each week; release time cannot be rescheduled or changed week to week. See release time guidance from the DOE »

What are the opportunities for advancement — and pay increases — within the paraprofessional title?

The salary scale for paraprofessionals is based predominantly on the number of college credits that the paraprofessional has accumulated. According to the salary schedule that takes effect on Jan. 18, 2025, a Teacher Aide — a paraprofessional with a high school diploma and no college credits — earns $30,510. Paraprofessionals advance to a higher pay level (up to P5) when they earn six, 15, 30 or 45 credits. When they have two years of experience and have earned 60 credits, or one year of experience and 90 credits, they can advance to P6 and earn $42,344. Paraprofessionals with two years of experience and 90 credits advance to P9A and earn $45,791. The salary scale tops out at Educational Associate B — a paraprofessional with a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of service — who earns $48,534. [See the table on this page.]

Through a yearly central posting, paraprofessionals can also apply to become lead teacher assistants (the contractual title is Lead Educational Associate), which gives them a broader instructional role in the classroom and an additional $5,000 annually. Lead teacher assistants may cover an absent teacher up to 10 days over the course of a school year. To become a lead teacher assistant, a paraprofessional must have a bachelor’s degree and a state Teacher Assistant certificate (at any level).

What support is available for paraprofessionals who wish to become teachers?

The DOE will reimburse full-time paraprofessionals up to 12 credits toward the completion of a graduate education program. To qualify for this tuition reimbursement, the paraprofessional must have at least one year of job experience, be admitted and fully matriculated into a state-approved and accredited graduate education program leading to teacher certification, and have already completed 12 credits toward the graduate education program. Their coursework must have a passing grade of B or better.

City University of New York’s LEAP to Teacher program provides free services for paraprofessionals who are pursuing higher education at one of eight CUNY campuses. These services include assistance with application and registration, free college preparatory courses, tutoring, workshops on personal statements, free teacher certification exam prep, and assistance with preparing cover letters and essays.

Additional programs, such as the NYC Teaching Fellows, are also available. See the DOE’s Pathways for Paraprofessionals website for additional information.

Is support available to help paraprofessionals complete teacher certification exams?

The DOE offers a one-time reimbursement up to $400 for the state teacher certificate application and New York State certification exams. Applicants must be on payroll as a full-time paraprofessional at the time of filing and remain appointed as a full-time paraprofessional for the remainder of the school year in which they applied.

How can full-time paraprofessionals complete student teaching requirements needed for state certification?

The DOE offers a paid 40-day student teacher leave of absence program for full-time paraprofessionals with at least a 2.5 grade point average as long as they have worked at least one full school year as a paraprofessional.

To be eligible for a student teacher leave of absence, paraprofessionals must fall into one of these three categories:

• A paraprofessional with a degree in education (undergraduate or graduate) but who was not recommended for certification based on the lack of student teaching.
• A paraprofessional enrolled in a master’s degree program leading to initial certification and who needs student teaching to complete their program.
• A paraprofessional enrolled in an undergraduate program leading to initial certification and who needs student teaching to complete their program.

Education = More Pay

The paraprofessional salary schedule is based largely on the number of college credits the paraprofessional has earned.