What does the law mean by two years of higher education for paraprofessionals?
“Two years of study” means the equivalent of two years of full-time study, as defined by the institution of higher education (IHE). For some IHEs that may mean 12 credit hours per semester (requiring a total of 48 credit hours), while in others it may mean 15 credit hours a semester (requiring a total of 60 credit hours). In New Jersey the Higher Education Assistance Authority defines a full-time course load as 12 credits. Therefore, two years of higher education would equate to a total of 48 credits, exclusive of any credits earned in remedial or developmental courses. Credits do not have to be earned over a period of two consecutive years.
