CLARKSVILLE, TN – Austin Peay State University’s Eriksson College of Education recently launched Tennessee’s first Principal Registered Apprenticeship Program (PRAP), a groundbreaking initiative to train the next generation of school leaders through a federally approved “earn while you learn” model.
The program has already secured partnerships with 54 Tennessee school districts, with 120 aspiring principals enrolled in the accelerated master’s degree program this fall through the apprenticeship pathway.
“Partnering with APSU on this groundbreaking apprenticeship program is an exciting step forward,” said Tennessee’s Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds. “Together, we’re breaking down barriers for Tennessee’s future principals and strengthening the leaders our schools need to thrive.”
The PRAP marks a historic milestone for Tennessee education, applying the successful registered apprenticeship model — traditionally used in skilled trades — to school leadership preparation. Participants will work as paid apprentices in their school districts while completing a Master of Arts in Education in educational leadership studies through APSU, receiving full-tuition scholarships and mentorship from experienced principals.
“This ‘earn while you learn’ model removes the biggest barriers — tuition, time away from work, and distance from quality programs — so talented educators across urban, suburban, and rural communities can advance into leadership,” said Dr. John McConnell, interim dean of the Eriksson College of Education. “It’s a practical, affordable, and scalable approach that keeps rising leaders rooted in the schools and communities they already serve. It also aligns what districts need with how we prepare leaders.”
The program has secured $800,000 in federal funding through the Tennessee Department of Education, which serves as the official sponsor of the registered apprenticeship program. The grant provides up to $6,425 per apprentice to cover tuition and program costs in the 2025-26 academic year.
This initiative also addresses a critical need. According to national research, principal turnover rates remain higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with many districts struggling to find qualified candidates. Traditional principal preparation programs often require educators to reduce their work hours or take on significant debt — barriers that discourage talented teachers from pursuing leadership roles.
How the Program Works
APSU’s PRAP eliminates these obstacles. Participants complete a fully online master’s degree in an accelerated one-year format — 10 courses delivered in 7.5-week terms from August 2025 through July 2026.
School districts nominate candidates and enter PRAP partnership agreements with APSU. Districts provide a mentor principal from the candidate’s building and coordinate release time for job-embedded leadership work. These mentors guide apprentices through real-world challenges, while APSU faculty deliver evidence-based instruction aligned with Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards.
“The whole program is intended to be driven by the needs of the district,” said Dr. Christi Maldonado, Eriksson College of Education associate dean and assistant program coordinator. “This is a way for them to take people who are in their schools already and in their communities and have multiple layers of support to get them ready to fulfill needed leadership roles.”
While enrolled, participants receive an aspiring instructional leader license, enabling them to serve in administrative roles before graduation.