The 2025 North Dakota Legislative Session allocated $3 million in funding for the Para-to-Teacher Program (PTP). This program supports paraprofessionals working in North Dakota schools by providing scholarships for their tuition.
Approved Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) for the Para-to-Teacher Program
- The maximum per-credit reimbursement amount for Fall 2025 to Summer 2026 is $370.
- The maximum per-credit reimbursement amount for Fall 2026 to Spring 2027 is $380.
- Paraprofessionals selecting higher per-credit tuition fees are required to pay the difference.
- The maximum scholarship awarded is $20,000.
EPP | Per-Credit Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Certification Central | $300/credit - SpEd. Technician $417/credit - SpEd. Licensure |
| Dickinson State University | $259/credit |
| Mayville State University | $229/credit |
| Minot State University, Dept. of Special Education | $382.94/credit |
| Sitting Bull College | $125/credit |
| University of Mary | $395/credit |
| University of North Dakota | $407.97/credit |
| Valley City State University | $232.76/credit |
| Western Governors University | $4025/term *(competency-based) |
List of approved Education Preparation Providers (EPPs). Click below to see approved pathways and contact information.
Contact: Katherine Terras, CEO/Co-Founder, (701) 322-4429
| North Dakota License |
|---|
Special Education K-12
|
| Special Education Technician Certificate |
Contact: Dr. Joan Oigawa Aus - Chair, School of Education, (701) 502-4339
Contact: Mari Rassmussen - Director of Paraprofessional Grants & Adjunct Instructor, (701) 221-2572
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
| Baccalaureate Elementary Education | Elementary Education, 1-8 |
| Minor Special Education | Special Education K-12 |
| Kindergarten Concentration | Kindergarten Education |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary Business, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary English, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary Social Studies, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary History, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary Mathematics, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary Composite Science, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary Chemistry, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary Biology, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Physical Education, K-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Secondary Health, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Composite Music, K-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Instrumental Music, K-12 |
| Baccalaureate Education - Secondary | Choral Music, K-12 |
Contact: Kelli Odden, EdD - EdD-Dean and Chair, Division of Education, (701) 788-4867
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education | Elementary Education, 1-8 |
| Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education | Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 3 |
| Bachelor of Science in Special Education | Special Education, K-12 |
| Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education (Secondary) | Mathematics, 5-12 |
| Bachelor of Science in Composite Science Education (Secondary) | Composite Science, 5-12 |
| Bachelor of Science in Composite Social Science Education (Secondary) | Social Science, 5-12 |
| Bachelor of Science in English Education (Secondary) | English, 5-12 |
| Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (Secondary) | Physical Education, K-12 |
| Bachelor of Science in Health Education (Secondary) | Health Education, 5-12 |
Contact: Dr. Holly Pedersen - Special Education Department Chair, (701) 858-3846
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Special Education (BSED) | Special Education, PK-12 |
| Teachable Minor in Special Education | Special Education, PK-12, when added to another licensure field |
Contact: Chris Fried - Teacher of Education Director, (701) 854-8040
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
| Baccalaureate Elementary Education | Elementary Education, 1-8 |
| Baccalaureate Early Childhood | Birth-Grade 3 |
Contact: Dr. Kim Marman - Chair, Department of Education, (701) 355-8111
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
Baccalaureate Elementary Education, 1-8
| Elementary Education, 1-8
|
| Baccalaureate Special Education, K-12 | Special Education Strategist, K-12 |
Contact: Jennifer Bladow, Director of Teacher Education - College of Education and Human Development, (701) 213-2618
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | Preschool-Grade 3 |
| Elementary Education | 1-8 |
| Special Education Minor | Special Education |
| Accelerated Bachelors that leads to North Dakota Special Education Licensure | Special Education |
Contact: Amber Olson - Certification Officer and Program Specialist, (701) 845-7189
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
| Baccalaureate Art Education | Art, K-12 |
| Baccalaureate Business Education | Business, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Elementary Education | Elementary Education, 1-8 |
| Baccalaureate English Education | English, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Health Education | Health, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate History Education | History, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Mathematics Education | Mathematics, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Music Education | Music, K-12 |
| Baccalaureate Physical Education | Physical Education, K-12 |
| Baccalaureate Spanish Education | Spanish, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Social Science Education | Social Science, 5-12 |
| Baccalaureate Technology Education | Technology, 5-12 |
| Early Childhood Endorsement | Birth-Grade 3 |
| Kindergarten Endorsement | PK-K |
| Special Education Strategist Endorsement | K-12 |
| English Learner Endorsement | K-12 |
Contact: Ally Mayou - Senior Manager - Enrollment, (385) 428-2343
| Program Areas | North Dakota License |
|---|---|
| BS Mathematics Education (Secondary) | Secondary Mathematics, 5-12 |
| BS Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) | Biology, 5-12 |
| BS Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) | Chemistry, 5-12 |
| BS Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) | Earth Science, 5-12 |
| BS Science Education (Secondary Physics) | Physics, 5-12 |
| BA Elementary Education | Elementary Education, 1-8 |
| BA Special Education (Mild to Moderate) | Special Education, K-12 |
| BA Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) | Elementary Education, 1-8 and Special Education, K-12 |
Laurie Matzke, Chief of Program Development & Growth, (701) 328-2284
Kassie Schaff, Administration Staff Officer, (701) 328-2824
Email: dpiasstsupt@nd.gov