Announcements
Please continue to monitor this web page for updated resources for the 2025-26 school year.
School Year 2026-27 Application Now Live
The 2025-26 OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching application is now accepting applications until Feb. 15 at 11:59 p.m.! Paraprofessionals and high-impact tutors seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree should apply using this link.
Unsure if you are eligible to apply? Please consult our eligibility checklist below.
Available Degrees and Eligible Subject Area Concentrations for Each Pathway
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Bachelor’s Degree Pathway |
Master of Arts in Teaching Pathway |
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*Apprentices in the Bachelor’s Degree pathway seeking a degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education will be required to participate in coursework leading to dual certification in Special Education.
**Apprentices applying for the Master’s of Arts in Teaching Pathway, pursuing a degree in Secondary ELA or Secondary Math, must hold a Bachelor’s degree in that subject area.
Eligibility
The Apprenticeship in Teaching Program offers two distinct pathways to a degree and eligibility for an OSSE standard teaching credential.
| Pathway | Eligibility | Program Length |
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Bachelor’s Pathway Apprentices on this pathway will continue working full-time at the schools in which they are currently employed while completing coursework leading to a bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation, apprentices will be eligible for an OSSE standard teaching credential in Special Education, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Education. |
Candidates must be currently employed as a paraprofessional or providing high-impact tutoring at a DCPS or DC public charter school. An eligible candidate may have some higher education experience but does not yet have all the credits required for a bachelor’s degree. Candidates who serve as high-impact tutors at the time of application must be employed as a paraprofessional at a DCPS or DC public charter school by July 1, 2026. |
2-4 years* |
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Master of Arts in Teaching Pathway Apprentices on this pathway will continue working full-time at the schools in which they are currently employed while completing coursework leading to a master’s degree. Upon graduation, apprentices will be eligible for an OSSE standard teaching credential in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary English, and Secondary Math. |
Candidates must be currently employed as a paraprofessional or providing high-impact tutoring at a DCPS or DC public charter school. An eligible candidate has a bachelor’s degree but does not yet have the necessary requirements for an OSSE standard teaching credential. Applicants must also hold a 3.0 GPA or higher from their bachelor’s degree. However, if applicants have less than a 3.0 GPA, they may take and pass the PRAXIS Core to be considered for entry at UDC. In addition, individuals applying to study Secondary English or Secondary Math need to hold a Bachelor’s degree in that subject area. Candidates who serve as high-impact tutors at the time of application must be employed as a paraprofessional at a DCPS or DC public charter school by July 1, 2026. |
10 months |
*The length of the Bachelor’s Pathway is dependent on the amount of transferrable higher education credits candidates have when entering the program.
Upcoming Application Workshop for Prospective Applicants
This virtual workshop will take place on Jan. 14, 2026 from 3:30-4:30 p.m., and will provide an overview of the 2026 application and approaches to consider for completing your application. To attend, register here.
Upcoming Information Session for School Leaders
This virtual information session will take place on Jan. 21, 2026 from 3:30-4:30 p.m., and will provide school leaders with information about the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Apprenticeship in Teaching program structure, expectations for apprentices and schools, and an overview of the role of school leaders in the application process. To attend, register here.
Bachelor’s Pathway Resources
Bachelor’s Degree Pathway Information Session
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, OSSE hosted a virtual information session on the paraprofessional and high-impact tutoring (HIT) pathways. If you are a current paraprofessional or HIT tutor who has not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, please check out the information session slides here.
For more details on the bachelor’s pathway application process, please see the resources below:
Master of Arts in Teaching Resources
Master of Arts in Teaching Pathway Information Session
On Thursday, Jan. 8, OSSE hosted a virtual information session on the Master of Arts in Teaching pathway. If you are a current paraprofessional or HIT tutor who has earned a bachelor’s degree but has not yet met the eligibility requirements to obtain an OSSE initial educator credential, please check out the information session slides here.
For more details on the Master of Arts in Teaching pathway application process, please see the resources below:
About the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program Cohorts
Overview
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) congratulates the 2024 and 2025 cohorts of OSSE teacher apprentices, which includes 70 paraprofessionals from across the District. Paraprofessionals in the 2024 and 2025 cohort represent 52 schools and have, on average, 5 years of school-based experience.
Schools Represented in the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program Cohorts
Apprentices complete on-the-job learning, a core component of the program, at their school site throughout the school year. Our apprentices are completing this learning at the following District public and public charter schools:
| District of Columbia Public Schools | District of Columbia Public Charter Schools |
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About our Apprentices
OSSE is excited to highlight the work of our amazing apprentices. Check out the profiles below to learn more about the incredible individuals who serve DC’s students everyday.
- Spotlight On: Ana De Souza, Harriet Tubman Elementary School
- Spotlight On: Angela Stover, Maury Elementary School
- Spotlight On: Ebony Pennant, Bancroft Elementary School
- Spotlight On: Ebony McCullough, Harriett Tubman Elementary School
- Spotlight On: Joanna Cange, Sela PCS
- Spotlight On: Michael Hammond, Bridges PCS
- Spotlight On: Shardae Farrell, Friendship PCS--Southeast Academy
- Spotlight On: Sharifa Cummins, Harmony DC PCS—School of Excellence
- Spotlight On: Tia Moore, Friendship PCS Blow Pierce
About the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program
Background
The OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program is an innovative opportunity that removes the financial barriers of becoming a teacher in the District of Columbia by providing prospective DC educators with a cost-free bachelor’s or master’s degree, flexible coursework offerings, and paid on-the-job learning. Apprentices who successfully complete the program will be eligible for an OSSE standard teaching credential.
OSSE’s Apprenticeship in Teaching program expands on the initial success of the OSSE Educator Preparation “Grow Your Own” program and was approved by the DC Apprenticeship Council on April 11, 2024. Grounded in the required characteristics of registered apprenticeships, OSSE’s Apprenticeship in Teaching program has two core components that merge to create a streamlined pathway into the classroom:
- On-the-job learning in DC public or public charter schools
- Cost-free coursework that leads to a degree and an OSSE Standard Educator Credential
During the day, apprentices will work full-time in a DC school under the guidance of a mentor teacher to learn the skills needed to become an effective, career educator. In the evenings, apprentices will complete coursework that leads to a bachelor’s or master's degree. Coursework and degrees will be cost-free to apprentices in exchange for their commitment to teach in DC schools after graduation!
Contact Information
For additional information regarding the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program please email [email protected]. Our team will work to respond to your request within two business days.
News and Highlights
OSSE Welcomes the 2025-26 Cohort of Apprentices!
On Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, OSSE welcomed its second cohort of apprentices during the 2025 OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Signing Day celebration. During this celebration, OSSE recognized the new cohort of 28 paraprofessionals and their school leaders, provided an overview of the program, hosted a panel of current apprentices and mentor teachers, and welcomed remarks from the 2025 DC Teacher of the Year Jazzmyne Townsend.
The OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program, in collaboration with the DC Department of Employment Services and the University of the District of Columbia, offers a cost-free opportunity to become a teacher in DC. OSSE is so thankful to these apprentices for their commitment to serving DC students upon completing the program.
See highlights from the event below. For additional information or questions about the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program, including the next application cycle, please check out the resources below or email [email protected].
The 2025-26 Apprenticeship Cohort Celebrates with Antoinette S. Mitchell, Ph.D., Interim State Superintendent and 2025 DC Teacher of the Year Jazzmyne Townsend.
OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program Signing Day
OSSE launched the 2024 OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program at its Signing Day on Aug. 14, 2024. During this celebration, OSSE recognized the inaugural cohort of apprentices and their school leaders, provided an overview of the program, welcomed a panel of veteran teachers, and highlighted the collaboration between OSSE, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), and the Department of Employment Services (DOES) that made this program possible. OSSE looks forward to working with apprentices and our District partners throughout the 2024-25 school year!
Veteran Teachers Share their Experiences and Guidance with Apprentices
The 2024 Apprenticeship Cohort Celebrates with Antoinette S. Mitchell, Ph.D., Interim State Superintendent