Master of Education Apprenticeship Program

Become a Teacher. Earn While You Learn.

Roberts Wesleyan University is proud to offer a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, launching Fall 2025.

This innovative experience allows future educators to earn a master's degree and gain valuable, paid classroom experience at the same time.

At Roberts, you’ll grow as a teacher and as a person of faith and purpose. You’ll be prepared to serve and lead in classrooms that need you most.

Ready to follow your calling? Start by applying to our M.Ed. program. Become accepted, and we'll coordinate a personalized and paid classroom experience.

Apply

Lower Cost, More Access

Roberts' tuition rate is one of the lowest in the area.

You’ll be paid for your work in a classroom. 

Plus, many apprentices qualify for help with tuition through their workplace and grants.

Apply What You Learn

We connect what you’re learning in class with what you’re doing at school.

Learn from experienced colleagues in the field, including a seasoned mentor.

Graduate Career-Ready

You’ll earn your master’s degree and your Initial Certification in teaching.

The program will also prepare you for Professional Certification, meeting New York State requirements.

Real Experience That Sticks

You’ll log at least 1,200 hours of guided classroom work, far beyond the traditional model.

No additional fieldwork or student teaching is required outside of the program.

What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program?

A Registered Apprenticeship is a paid opportunity to work in a school full-time while also taking courses. This is an innovative and uncommon way to finance your degree while following your calling.

At the end, you’ll earn your M.Ed. and qualify for New York State Initial Teacher Certification.

This is not a traditional student teaching experience. Apprentices:

  • Attend graduate courses at Roberts Wesleyan University
  • Are paid employees of a school district or BOCES
  • Work in the classroom 5 days a week for 1 year
  • Plan and teach lessons, managing classrooms under the guidance of a certified, experienced mentor teacher

Apprentices are eligible for additional tuition assistance through districts, grants, and Roberts' Corporate Partnership program (25% off tuition for eligible employees). Additional state grants may cover tuition, books, fees, or certification exam costs.

Program Requirements

To join the program, you must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree
  • Be accepted into Roberts’ M.Ed. program
  • Be matched with a school district offering RAP placements

Placement into the program is subject to district availability. If space is not available, students can complete traditional student teaching or job-embedded experiences.

Apply for Free

To join the Registered Apprenticeship Program, apply to our M.Ed. program. Once accepted, we'll coordinate a personalized and paid classroom experience.

Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

A RAP is a paid, full-time apprenticeship where you learn to teach by working alongside a certified teacher while earning your master's degree.

Student teaching is unpaid and often only lasts a semester.

A RAP lasts 1 year and is paid.

No. We'll coordinate a paid classroom experience once you are accepted into the program.

Yes. You’ll be a paid employee of a school district or BOCES while completing your coursework and classroom hours.

Yes! Many apprentices qualify for grants, state aid, or other funding to lower or cover the cost. 

Plus, Roberts offers a Corporate Partner 25% tuition discount to eligible employees.

No. RAPs are full-time, in-person teaching roles. You must be in the classroom daily while taking your courses through Roberts.

You need a bachelor’s degree, to be accepted into our M.Ed. program, and placement with a participating school district.

Yes. After completing the program, you’ll earn your M.Ed. and be eligible for New York State Initial Teacher Certification.

No. Placements depend on school district needs and available positions.

Start by applying to the Roberts M.Ed. program.

Once accepted, we’ll help you explore RAP placements and connect with participating districts.