Registered Teacher Apprentice Program

The program is designed to significantly reduce the cost of earning a teaching degree.
Candidates will complete the program with no out-of-pocket tuition costs or fees.

Yes. Participants remain WCPS employees throughout the program. Candidates will be required to work as paraprofessionals while completing coursework. During the final stage, candidates transition into a registered teacher apprentice position and complete student teaching as part of their paid employment. 

The pathway is designed to take up to three years, depending on the amount of coursework you need. Candidates who already have college credits may finish sooner.

Structure:

• 1.5 years at Hagerstown Community College
• 1.5 years at Frostburg State University
• Final clinical experience integrated into the apprenticeship

Most candidates take 2–3 courses per semester, but candidates could take up to 5 courses.  
The program is designed to be manageable while working full-time.

No. One of the biggest advantages of the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship model is that student teaching is embedded into your employment. Instead of taking a leave of absence from your job for unpaid student teaching, you complete your clinical experience as a paid teacher apprentice.

Several certification pathways are available, including:

• Elementary Education
• Special Education
• Secondary English
• Secondary Mathematics
• Secondary Science

The exact pathway depends on your interests, coursework, and workforce needs.
 

Existing college credits may help you complete the program more quickly. Hagerstown Community College and Frostburg State University will review transcripts to determine transfer eligibility. Many WCPS employees already have coursework that can apply toward the degree.  This may reduce:

• The number of courses you need
• The overall time to completion
• Your tuition costs

Selection is competitive and designed to identify candidates who are ready to succeed in the program and committed to teaching in WCPS.

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

• Work performance
• Commitment to teaching
• Readiness for college coursework
• Interest in serving WCPS studentså

When you complete the program, you will have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree
• Maryland Teacher Licensure
• Teaching experience through the apprenticeship

Graduates are required to teach for WCPS for five consecutive years upon successful completion of the program, helping to strengthen the local teacher workforce.

Candidates who do not complete the program or fulfill the 5 year post-completion service commitment may be required to repay tuition and associated program costs, in accordance with program agreements. There may be a hardship exception, but candidates should be sure this program is for them.