Teacher Apprenticeship FAQ's

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who may apply to be a Sponsor for a Registered Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program (R-TDAP)?

Are there already approved Teacher Apprenticeship programs in Colorado?

Several programs in Colorado were approved prior to the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program legislation being finalized and put into law. Interested parties may find a directory of registered apprenticeship programs in Colorado here.

Can Teacher Degree Apprenticeship candidates add an endorsement to their current teacher license?

No, per 22-60.5-111.5(4)(d), C.R.S., the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Pathway was developed for candidates who do not already hold a bachelor's or higher degree seeking initial teacher licensure. Therefore, the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Pathway is not for adding endorsements to an existing license. If a candidate already holds a bachelor's or higher degree in any field, that individual may consider alternative teacher preparation.

Can a sponsor be an employer?

Yes, an employer can also serve as the sponsor for their Registered Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program (R-TDAP). 

Can non-public schools be Employers of a Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program? 

No, per statute, apprentices in a Colorado Registered Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program need to be employed by a school district, BOCES or charter school.

What components are necessary for an apprentice to finish their Registered Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program (R-TDAP)?

In order to complete their program, Teacher Apprentices must meet all of the following criteria:

1. obtain a bachelor’s degree, 

2. complete all aspects of the teacher degree apprenticeship program including the teacher of record classroom placement assignment, and

3. demonstrate content competency.

The teacher apprentice will submit evidence of completion of all elements to the CDE licensing team in order to secure an initial teaching license. Candidates who meet the bachelor’s degree requirements, but do not complete the program, including the defined practicum/experience hours for the teacher degree apprenticeship program, or do not meet content competency will not be eligible for initial licensure.

How many on the job learning hours can come from prior experiences?

In a registered apprenticeship an apprentice can receive credit for up to 50% of on-the-job learning and credit for up to 50% of related instruction they have taken previous to registering for their apprenticeship program. (Please note this decision is made for each individual apprentice and will vary.)  

The Sponsor awards the credit for previous experience to the apprentice, but would do this in partnership with the employer would be verifying proficiency in competencies (for on-the-job learning) and with related instruction partners (and CDE) to verify related instruction transferability. 

In which endorsement areas may a teacher apprentice be prepared?

All Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Programs must incorporate the completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university in a field of study relative to the initial endorsement content are that a teacher apprentice will pursue:

• For  K-12, middle school (grades 6-8) and secondary (grades 6-12) endorsements, the bachelor's degree likely would be in the same content area, such as mathematics or physical education.
• For early childhood (ages 0-8), elementary (grades K-6) and special education (ages 5 to 21), the bachelor's degree must match the content area.
  • Due to federal IDEA requirements, special education apprentices must confer their bachelor's degree prior to starting the required year-long teacher of record component of all approved Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Programs.

Questions? Contact the Educator Preparation Team.

Return to the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship webpage