Doane University and BloomBoard Partner to Expand On-the-Job Degree Pathways for Educators

Federally funded credential programs give paraprofessionals and teachers a supported pathway to a bachelor’s or master’s degree — without leaving their schools or their students

Doane University has partnered with talent development provider BloomBoard to offer on-the-job degree programs for K–12 educators — enabling paraprofessionals and classroom teachers to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees while continuing to serve in their schools and communities.

At the center of the partnership is a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education — a 123-credit, job-embedded program that allows paraprofessionals and school staff to earn a teaching degree without stepping away from the classroom. 

“School districts don’t have a talent problem—they have an access problem. There are incredible future educators already working in schools who just need a clear, supported and funded pathway forward. This partnership is about removing barriers and creating real opportunities for the people who are already committed to students and communities.” — Tim Frey, Ph.D. Dean, College of Education, Doane University

To support access to this pathway and Doane’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Doane and BloomBoard are also launching two federally funded credit-bearing programs: a Paraprofessional Training Program and an AI for Educators program, both made possible through a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) within the U.S. Department of Education.

These programs are now available to school districts nationwide. Limited seats are available for the fall term. Districts interested in enrolling educators for fall should begin planning now.

Bachelor of Arts in Special Education

For paraprofessionals and school staff ready to pursue full teacher certification, Doane University offers a 123-credit Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. Delivered through a job-embedded model, the program allows candidates to earn their degree while continuing to work in their schools.

Upon completion, graduates are eligible for full teacher licensure—helping districts fill critical special education roles with well-prepared, homegrown educators.

Paraprofessional Training Program

Designed for paraprofessionals with fewer than five years of experience, this six-credit program can be completed in a single semester. Through hands-on, job-embedded learning aligned to their daily responsibilities, participants build practical skills to deliver targeted academic support and better serve students.

For those interested in becoming teachers, the program also serves as a meaningful first step toward earning a bachelor’s degree in education.

AI for Educators: A Professional Development Program for Classroom Teachers

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes education, most teachers have had little formal training in how to use it effectively. The AI for Educators program addresses this gap through a nine-credit, job-embedded experience focused on practical and ethical applications of AI.

Participants learn how to integrate AI into lesson planning, personalize instruction, and build AI literacy among students. The program also develops teacher leaders who can serve as in-building resources, helping guide adoption and modeling best practices.

Educators can complete the program in one to two semesters, and credits may be applied toward a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Doane University or transferred to another institution.

How the Partnership Works

School districts can sponsor cohorts of employees to enroll in any of the three programs while continuing to work in their schools. BloomBoard’s platform connects districts with Doane University’s curriculum, manages program logistics, and ensures that learning is embedded directly into educators’ day-to-day responsibilities—not added on top of them.

This model enables districts to build sustainable, internal talent pipelines while supporting employee growth and long-term workforce stability.

“For our district, Grow Your Own isn’t just a strategy—it’s a necessity. These programs give our paraprofessionals and teachers a realistic path to advance their careers while staying rooted in our community. That’s a game changer for retention, recruitment, and ultimately for our students.” — Dr. Sara Dail, Assistant Superintendent at Sterling Public Schools

Learn More: Upcoming Webinar

School district administrators interested in learning more are invited to attend an upcoming webinar hosted by Doane University and BloomBoard. The session will cover program details, eligibility requirements, district sponsorship options, and pricing.

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 11:00 AM Central TimeTitle: Grow Your Own Special Education Teachers: A New On-the-Job Degree Pathway for Your DistrictRegistration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7617780133840/WN_B5m7ZOHgQW-504A9aT12AQ 

For more information about the partnership, visit: https://bloomboard.com/program/nebraska  

About Doane University

Doane University is the oldest private liberal arts institution in Nebraska. Founded in 1872 as Doane College, its original campus in Crete serves traditional residential undergraduates and is home to Tiger Athletics, which competes in the Great Plains Athletic Conference, one of the premier conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Doane is also recognized for its convenient and affordable continuing education programs, offering undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees at additional locations across Nebraska as well as fully online programs. 

About BloomBoard

BloomBoard is a talent development provider that enables K–12 school districts to grow, advance, and retain educators by making professional education a benefit of employment. The company offers turnkey programs for school districts to move educators forward at all points of their professional journey. Their platform connects districts to higher education institutions that offer certification and degree programs using a unique, on-the-job instructional model. Visit www.bloomboard.com to learn more.