One of the most common ways to become a teacher is through a "traditional" teaching program.

In a traditional teaching program, you’ll take college courses and complete an unpaid student-teaching experience as part of earning your degree and teaching license. Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to lead your own classroom. Traditional programs are available at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

A teaching apprenticeship offers a more hands-on approach. As an apprentice, you’ll learn while working in a classroom, receive one-on-one mentorship and earn a paycheck as you work toward your degree and teaching license. Apprenticeships can also help lower the cost of becoming a teacher.

The table below breaks down the key differences between these two pathways.

Teacher apprenticeships offer tons of benefits! You will: 

✅  Get real classroom experience and earn college credits while you work.

✅  Earn while you learn, so you’re financially stable. 

✅  Follow a clear, step-by-step training plan.

✅  Build relationships with students and a school community. 

✅  Smoothly transition into your own classroom. 

It depends on how much college you’ve already done. If you’re starting with no college credits, you can expect your apprenticeship to take about 4 years, the time it would take to finish your degree.

If you have at least an associate degree, you can complete your apprenticeship in 1–2 years. 

Not necessarily. 

School systems, educational organizations and teaching programs choose which subjects to offer based on local needs, so availability varies. The goal is to train credentialed teachers for future teaching positions. 

Check with your local apprenticeship programs to find out which subject areas they offer! 

Teacher apprenticeship programs partner with a college or university where you’ll complete your degree coursework, while also earning some college credits on the job. To see a list of approved providers, visit the Maryland State Department of Education website. 

To participate, you’ll need to be accepted into the college or university teaching program and get hired by a school system as an apprentice. Don’t worry—you’ll have plenty of support and guidance along the way. 

Yes! When you complete your apprenticeship program, you will have earned: 

• Your bachelor’s degree.
• Your initial Maryland teaching license.