English Composition 1
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →GeorgiaTeachers
GACE Paraprofessional or college hours?
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Choosing between the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment and college hours depends on your plans. Both meet GaPSC Rule 505-2-.18 for a Georgia paraprofessional license. The test, with a high school diploma or GED, is the quicker route. The 60 semester hours take longer but also count toward a degree, which matters if you want to teach later.
Both routes meet the same rule
GaPSC Rule 505-2-.18 lists three routes and treats them equally. An associate degree, 60 semester hours above remedial level with a C or better, or a pass on the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment with a high school diploma or GED. Your district requests the license either way, and it is valid for 5 years either way.
So the question is not which route is better for the license. It is which route is better for you, given how much college you already have and where you want to be in five years.
Side by side
The table sets out the main differences.
| GACE Paraprofessional Assessment | 60 college hours | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | A pass plus a high school diploma or GED | 60 semester hours above remedial level, each C or better |
| Typical time | Weeks of study and one test date | Months, depending on credit you already have |
| Counts toward a degree | No | Yes, at the college that holds the hours |
| Leads to teaching | Not directly | Part of the way to a bachelor's |
| Fee | The test fee set by the testing supplier | Course and tuition costs |
When the test makes sense
The test is usually the faster choice if you have little or no college credit, need the license soon for a job offer, and are comfortable with reading, writing and mathematics at a high school level. GaPSC says GACE testing now runs with Evaluation Systems, Pearson; check the GACE site for the current test, fee and passing score before you book.
- You have a job offer and a start date
- You have few or no college hours
- You do not plan to teach in the next few years
When college hours make sense
College hours make sense if you already have some, or if you hope to become a teacher. Every course you take toward the 60 can also count toward an associate or bachelor's degree at the college that holds it. A test pass does not count toward any degree.
If you already have 30 or 40 hours from an earlier start at college, the gap can be one or two terms of self-paced work. Check that each course is above remedial level and has a C or better; those are the two conditions most often missed.
- You already have some college credit
- You want to teach later and will need a bachelor's
- You can study steadily over a few months
Where our courses fit on the college route
UPI Study courses such as English Composition 1 and 2, College Algebra, Introduction to Psychology, Educational Psychology and US History 1 are common first-year courses. They are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and reach a college via a college transcript. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited, so the hours count only once a GaPSC-accepted accredited college places them on its own transcript.
Before you enrol, ask your district which colleges' transcripts it sends with license requests, and ask that college in writing which courses it will review. We do not offer GACE test preparation.
A quick way to decide
Count your existing hours above remedial level with a C or better. If you have under 15 and need the license soon, look at the test. If you have more than 30, or you want to teach, finish the hours. Between the two, think about your five-year plan and how much time you can give each week. Whichever route you choose, confirm it with your district's HR office in writing before you start.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask your district's HR office in writing which route and transcript it will use for your paraprofessional license, and ask the college in writing which outside courses it will review, before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Can I do both the test and college hours?
Yes. Some aides pass the test to get licensed quickly, then keep taking college courses toward a degree. The license needs only one route, but the college hours keep counting toward a future teaching certificate.
What score do I need on the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment?
GaPSC publishes the passing scores for Georgia assessments on its Passing Scores page. Check the current figure there and on the GACE site before you book, because suppliers and score scales can change.
Do I need a C in every course?
Yes. Rule 505-2-.18 says the 60 semester hours must be completed with a grade of C or better and above the remedial level. A D or a pass in a learning-support course does not count toward the 60.
Does the license route change when it renews?
No. Once you hold the license, renewal follows GaPSC Rule 505-2-.36 and requires that you are working as a paraprofessional in a Georgia school system. Ask your district what it needs from you at renewal time.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
College Algebra
Self-paced online College Algebra course (Math 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Composition, algebra, psychology and history are all on PRO. Check with your district and college first.
Sources
- GaPSC Rule 505-2-.18 Paraprofessional License (effective July 1, 2020) (official)Three routes: associate degree or higher; two years of college coursework (60 semester hours) above remedial level with a C or better at a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution; or a pass on the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment plus a high school diploma or GED. Requested by the employing LUA under Rule 505-2-.27. Valid 5 years. Renewal under Rule 505-2-.36 while employed as a paraprofessional. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- GaPSC: Educator testing (official)GACE tests are now developed with Evaluation Systems, Pearson, replacing ETS as the testing supplier; passing scores are listed by GaPSC. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.