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Fully funded, flexible bachelor's degree program aims to address teacher shortages, expand career opportunities in Montgomery County Public Schools

Towson University, in partnership with �������� (USG) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), today announced the launch of a new pathway for paraeducators in Montgomery County, a fully funded bachelor’s degree program designed to help current MCPS paraeducators become fully licensed to teach children from birth through grade three.

“This pathway reflects our commitment to designing programs that meet aspiring educators where they are—professionally, academically and personally,” says Laurie Mullen, dean of Towson University’s College of Education. “Montgomery County’s paraeducators already serve children and families every day. With this program, they will gain the licensure and preparation they need to step into teaching roles that are so desperately needed across the state.”

A flexible and career-sustaining route for paraeducators, this program helps them earn their bachelor’s degree and advance into lead teacher roles—without stepping away from their current employment. The program is fully funded by MCPS and USG. The new pathway builds on a partnership launched in 2024 in which TU, MCPS and USG created a dual-certification bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education for MCPS paraeducators.

“�������� brings multiple Maryland public universities together on one campus so working adults can finish their degrees close to home. By fully funding this new pathway with MCPS, we’re removing a major barrier for paraeducators who want to become early childhood teachers while staying in their current jobs and schools,” says Dr. Anne Khademian, executive director of USG. “This is a powerful way to grow Montgomery County’s teacher pipeline and meet our county’s need for well-prepared educators.”

Offered exclusively ��������’s Rockville campus, the program features a hybrid model with mostly online evening courses, year-round scheduling across fall and spring semesters and three- to-five-week winter and summer minimesters that allow students to progress quickly but manageably. Participants will also receive credit for prior learning based on their professional experience and will complete in-school internships at their MCPS worksites.

“MCPS is deeply committed to growing our own educators,” says Brittany Ramey, instructional specialist for higher education partnerships at Montgomery County Public Schools. “Paraeducators know our students, our schools and our community. This pathway allows them to earn a bachelor’s degree in a timely, flexible and fully funded manner—while continuing to work and support their families. It’s a win for our students, their families and the county.”

The new pathway directly supports MCPS’s efforts to address staffing shortages, strengthen early childhood classrooms and build a sustainable pipeline of educators who live in and want to continue serving the Montgomery County community. Children and families will benefit from having highly qualified, fully licensed teachers who are already embedded in their schools.

Admissions & Timeline

TU is encouraging interested MCPS paraeducators to reach out immediately, as the program is targeting a start date of this coming spring semester. All interested MCPS paraeducators should contact Amy (Kit) DiCenso, USG ECE Program Coordinator, at adicenso@towson.edu to learn more about their eligibility and information sessions.