Join the ranks of Rollins Pathways to Teaching graduates who are now leading classrooms of their own.
Pathways to Teaching
A low-cost or no-cost path to a bachelor’s degree in elementary education for OCPS paraprofessionals.
Your dream of finishing your education, leading a classroom of your own, and earning more income is closer than you think. Thanks to the Rollins Pathways to Teaching program—a partnership between Rollins College and Orange County Public Schools—OCPS employees can complete a bachelor of arts in elementary education and become a certified teacher while continuing to work as a paraprofessional. The 2½-year program is available to OCPS employees at no cost or low cost after scholarships and financial aid.
A Proven Path
95%
graduation rate
100%
job placement rate
$2,500
annual Rollins scholarship for OCPS employees
Scholarship & OCPS Employee Benefits
• A $2,500 annual scholarship from Rollins
• Textbooks and laptop provided
• Substitute provided during required teaching internship for applicants employed at a Title I school or stipend provided by Rollins College for non-Title I candidates
• Job prospects within OCPS as a Pathways to Teaching graduate
• Support for paying for and passing FTCE exams
The Support to Succeed
At Rollins, you’ll be surrounded by an entire community of support—from even before you apply to after graduation.
• Individualized attention from expert faculty
• Admission, academic, and financial aid counselors
• Free tutoring and writing support throughout the program
• Free career planning support after graduation
The Pathway To Your Own Classroom
The 2½-year program enables you to continue working during the day and take classes in the evening at Rollins, where you’ll benefit from the Department of Education’s proven curriculum and a combined 225 years of experience among expert faculty. This innovative partnership between Rollins and OCPS is the solution to achieving the next step in your career and becoming a leader in your classroom.
Purpose Built For Paras Like You
The Pathways to Teaching program offers OCPS paraprofessionals like you a custom-made track tailored to fit your schedule and your needs.
Designed to Fit Your Life
Continue your work at OCPS during the day thanks to evening classes that blend the best of in-person and online learning.
A Top-Ranked Education
You’ll benefit from Rollins’ signature personalized learning environment, rigorous coursework, and expert faculty who prioritize your professional growth and model the skills you need to make an impact in the classroom.
Community Commitment
Rollins’ unique small cohort model places you within a diverse community of paraprofessionals devoted to furthering their education and taking their work as educators to the next level.
Essential Experience
Continue to earn income during the required internship component of the course, which provides a semester of hands-on teaching experience.
“I didn’t want to earn my education degree from just any college. I wanted substance, personal attention, and value, and I knew I’d get that at Rollins, where the faculty are so strong and there’s such a sense of community. The program exceeded my expectations and then some.”
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Admission Requirements
- Hold an associate’s degree or have completed 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
- Must be employed as an OCPS paraprofessional or program assistant at a Title I school to receive program benefits
- A 2.8 GPA in previous undergraduate coursework guarantees admission but is not required.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Register for an information session to learn more about the program, meet with admission counselors, and get a head-start on your application.
Streamlined Admission
No application fee. No standardized tests required. No more excuses.