Educator Registered Apprenticeship

In December 2024, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) became an approved Registered Apprenticeship sponsor through the U.S. Department of Labor. Under this sponsorship, DEED’s Registered Educator Apprenticeship Program provides participating Alaska school districts with a “learn-while-you-earn" pathway for developing educators and leaders. Apprentices engage in structured academic coursework alongside on-the-job learning (OJL) in K–12 settings. Teacher apprentices build classroom experience with mentor teachers, while principal apprentices develop leadership skills through guided, job-embedded practice with experienced administrators. Coursework is completed through approved Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs), leading to Alaska teacher licensure or a Type B Administrative Certificate upon program completion.

The program is supported by the State Apprenticeship Expansion Fund 2 Grant through June 30, 2027, with planning underway for long-term sustainability beyond the current grant period.

Key Benefits

EARN AND LEARN

MENTORSHIP

CERTIFICATION

Teacher Registered Apprenticeship

Principal Registered Apprenticeship

Pathway
Classroom-based teaching pathway
Mentored by a teacher

Pathway
School leadership pathway
Mentored by a principal/administrator
Total university courses per year dependent on pathway

Eligibility
17+ years old
High school diploma or equivalent
Employed by an Alaskan school district under DEED’s Sponsorship
Meets employer & EPP requirements

Eligibility
3 years certificated teaching experience (2 years if completed by end)
Employed by an Alaskan school district under DEED’s sponsorship
Meets employer & EPP requirements

Program Length
Up to 4 years
5,000–6,000 OJL hours
(up to 4000 OJL hours credit for prior classroom experience)
3–4 university courses per year
Hybrid competency + time model

Program Length
1–2 years
2,000 OJL hours
(up to 1000 OJL hours credit for prior experience)
Hybrid competency + time model

Key Components
Paid, job-embedded learning
Structured mentorship
EPP coursework
Competency-based progression

Outcome upon Successful Completion
Alaska Teacher Licensure

Outcome upon Successful Completion
Alaska Type B Administrative Certificate

Available Teacher Pathways
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Special Education
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Pathway
(up to 4000 OJL hours credit for prior classroom experience)
3–4 university courses per year
Hybrid competency + time model

Current Alaska School Districts Participating

Kodiak Island Borough School District
Lower Yukon School District
Yukon Koyukuk School District
Kake City School District
Lower Kuskokwim School District
Pelican School District
Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District
Yupiit School District
Juneau School District
Anchorage School District
Saint Mary’s School District
Lake and Penn School District

Approved Education Preparation Providers

University of Alaska, Anchorage
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
University of Alaska, Southeast
Alaska Pacific University
Chadron State College