Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway
Paraprofessional to teacher
The Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (TAP) at Dakota State University helps you turn your classroom experience into a teaching degree—with minimal out-of-pocket cost and maximum flexibility.
Designed for current paraprofessionals, TAP enables you to transfer prior work experience and earned credits toward a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and/or special education. Complete your teaching certification through 100% online, eight-week courses that fit your schedule and accelerate your path to becoming a licensed teacher.
What is TAP?
Launched in Fall 2023, the Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway is a statewide initiative designed to address the teacher shortage in South Dakota. TAP helps paraprofessionals become licensed educators while continuing their work in classrooms. TAP is a collaboration between the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, South Dakota Department of Education, South Dakota Board of Regents, Regional Educational Library, Dakota State University, Northern State University, Local School Districts, and Governor Kristi Noem.
“There is no better place to recruit our future teachers than our current classrooms in South Dakota.”
David De Jong Dean College of Education & Human Performance and Director of the Teacher Apprenticeships
A flexible, affordable pathway to teacher certification
Real stories from the classroom
Meet identical twins Brooke and Bailey Katzer, whose shared passion for teaching led them to enroll in South Dakota’s TAP program. While completing their education online through Dakota State University, they’re gaining hands-on experience in classrooms in South Dakota.
Your future at DSU begins today.
For more information about the program and the application timeline, visit:
The Department of Education’s Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway
For more information and application help:
