Teacher Apprentice Program, TAP - Teaching Opportunity for 2025-2026 School Year & Upcoming Information Sessions.
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is seeking individuals with an accredited associate's or bachelor's degree who are considering a career change to become elementary teachers through our Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP). With TAP, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education from Wichita State University, an accredited alternative certification program. Upon completion, you will be eligible to teach in our district in accordance with the Kansas State Department of Education guidelines for alternative certification teaching programs.
While there are a limited number of scholarships available to cover tuition fees for the TAP program, the program is open to KCKPS employees who meet the criteria and are willing to pay their tuition fees if accepted by Wichita State University and through an interview process to meet the KCKPS Elementary Teacher role requirements. If you fulfill both the Wichita State and KCKPS Teacher employment criteria, you may be eligible to become a Teacher of Record with a bachelor's degree, complete one (1) semester or associate's degree, complete two (2) semesters of WSU coursework and Limited TAP licensure requirements to become a Teacher of Record.
We will review completed applications, with all required documents, from Tuesday, October 15, 2024, through Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please complete this application and register to attend one of the virtual information sessions listed below.
Virtual Information Sessions:
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 5 PM - 6 PM
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 5 PM - 6 PM
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 5 PM - 6 PM
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 5 PM - 6 PM
Registration Link for Information Sessions:
https://forms.gle/DqGa3fxoGcPosaBA9
Deadline for Receiving Applications – Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Mandatory Documents (applications will not be considered until all documents are received)
- Resume - covers your full and part-time employment.
- Letter of Support/Recommendation- Attach a letter of support from a current or previous school district administrator or supervisor.
- Unofficial transcripts - from all colleges/universities you attended, including community colleges, will be considered with the initial application.
- Complete the Consent to Release Information - This form gives WSU permission to release your transcript analysis results with the alternative certification programs advisor with KCKPS. Form: https://forms.gle/wCv9sDVjjmJG2Xwz8
- Documents: Attach your resume, transcripts, and a letter of support from a school district administrator or supervisor.
To learn more, watch this video: https://www.wichita.edu/academics/applied_studies/TAP/Teacher_Apprentice_Program.php
Entry Requirements: Fall classes: August 4, 2025, through December 11, 2025.
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college
- Minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA
- Serve as a paraprofessional, long-term substitute, ESL aide, or instructional aide with instructional responsibilities in a classroom
- Offered a position as a classroom teacher within the parameters of a Limited Teacher Apprentice License
Program Requirements:
- 65 credit hours are needed for program completion
- Two-year program completed in an online format
- With a bachelor's degree, complete one (1) semester or associate's degree, and complete two (2) semesters of WSU coursework to become a Teacher of Record
- Apply for an LTAP license through the Kansas State Department of Education
Tuition, Scholarships, and Fees
- $40.00 application fee
- Tuition rate of $249.63 per credit hour (approximately $16,000)
- No online course or student activity fees
- Tuition scholarships are available each semester through WSU and USD #500
- Book fees vary each semester
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