Marian University is proud to announce the launch of its new Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Program, beginning in Fall 2025. Designed to address Indiana’s growing teacher shortage, the program helps schools develop a sustainable pipeline of future educators by supporting current non-licensed K–6 school employees on their path to becoming licensed teachers.
Offered through Fred S. Klipsch Educators College, the fully online program leads to a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. It is tailored for adults already working in school settings as instructional aides, paraprofessionals, or support staff. The flexible format allows participants to continue working in their schools while completing coursework and applying their real-world experience toward clinical observation requirements.
“Many schools already have passionate, capable individuals in classrooms who just need the right pathway to become licensed educators,” said Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Ph.D., Vice President and Dean of the Klipsch Educators College. “This program gives school leaders a practical way to build a sustainable teacher pipeline from within.”
The apprenticeship model leverages students’ day-to-day classroom experience as a key part of their training. By integrating clinical observation hours into participants’ current roles, the program offers a cost-effective and time-efficient path to licensure, without requiring time away from work.
For students with an associate degree or equivalent credit hours, the program can be completed in approximately two years, meeting all requirements for both a Marian University degree and Indiana state teacher licensure in elementary education.
Students will benefit from the nationally recognized expertise of the Klipsch Educators College faculty, as well as the college’s longstanding commitment to preparing transformational, mission-driven educators.
To apply, visit marian.edu/applynow. For more information about the program, contact Program Director Jacob Tandy, Ph.D., at jtandy@marian.edu.