FAQs

A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a U.S. Department of Labor-approved talent development strategy combining on-the-job learning, classroom instruction, and mentorship to train individuals in their field. Learn more on the ApprenticeshipUSA website.

IU’s RAPs are "degree apprenticeships," meaning that they integrate coursework from a higher education institution, leading directly to a college degree or certificate.

In the IU RAPs, apprentices can earn a bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate certifications, or a graduate degree leading to licensure in the education roles of K-12 teacher, principal or school counselor.

IU’s registered apprenticeship is distinguished by several factors, including paid work experience, college coursework, formal mentorship, and official U.S. Department of Labor approval.

This federal approval may make IU apprentices eligible for specific funding streams available only to participants in a DOL-approved program.

• A pre-apprenticeship is a quality training program designed to prepare individuals for entry into a Registered Apprenticeship or other job opportunities.
• These programs are built on the same components as a RAP and in Indiana receive state certification recognition. Read more about this on the Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship site.
• IU’s current pre-apprenticeship programs specifically serve high school juniors and seniors in NLPS Education pathway programs.
  
  

As the sponsor of the Registered Apprenticeship Program, the IU Office of School Partnerships (OSP) serves as the primary point of contact for program-related information and support.

Contact Leah Nellis at lmnellis@iu.edu or Carla Ballenger at ballengc@iu.edu for assistance, updates, or guidance related to the program.

To become an apprentice, you must be hired into a designated apprenticeship position by a school employer that partners with the IU Office of School Partnerships.

If your current school district is not a partner, we encourage you to contact your local IU campus to identify other opportunities that can help you reach your career goals.

Yes. To get started, you should submit official transcripts from any previously attended colleges to the specific IU campus you plan to attend.

Once your transcripts are processed, an academic advisor will work with you to evaluate your previous coursework and determine exactly how those credits apply toward your chosen academic plan. This ensures you receive maximum credit for your past work and can focus on the new skills required for your apprenticeship.

Your primary responsibility is to work and learn within your district. It is essential to meet with district administration at the start of your program to define your specific employee roles.

You can build an effective relationship with your mentor by actively seeking and remaining receptive to feedback. Meet with your mentor regularly to ensure you are progressing.

It is possible for apprentices to work full-time or part-time, provided they meet the minimum required on-the-job learning hours and competencies for their specific RAP. However, working part-time may result in a longer timeframe to complete the program.

• Apprentices are responsible for their own tuition and should consult their IU campus Office of Financial Aid for scholarship opportunities.
• The IU Office of School Partnerships (OSP) meets regularly with the Indiana Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship (OWBLA) and will notify apprentices and school employers of potential grant opportunities or funding.
• Completing the FAFSA is critical because many tuition assistance and grant opportunities require it to be on file, regardless of whether you believe you are eligible for or accept federal aid.

• Apprenticeships help districts recruit and develop talent in their schools and local communities, allowing individuals to work in the district alongside other school employees as they develop their skills and earn their degrees or certifications.
• IU's Office of School Partnerships completes the reporting and regulatory requirements associated with a RAP, taking that burden off school employers, and provides assistance to apprentices and school employer partners.
• As part of the IU RAP Network, school employer partners meet with and learn from other schools across Indiana that are partnering with IU to use RAPs to develop their education workforce.

The school employer selects and assigns a licensed mentor for each apprentice.

Mentors must be licensed in the area they are mentoring and are expected to be familiar with the apprentice’s specific training goals and required milestones.

As the group sponsor, the IU Office of School Partnerships will contact school employer partners at the end of each semester for updates. School employers provide data on hours worked, current wages, and a performance rating of excellent, good, fair, or needs improvement.

If an apprentice is no longer employed by the district, the apprenticeship is canceled at the time of separation. Similarly, the apprenticeship is canceled if the employee fails to make adequate progress in their college coursework.

There is no requirement for the district to hire the apprentice permanently after completion, nor is the apprentice required to stay.