In Iowa, potential teachers can enroll in the RAPIL program or the Teacher Internship Program through Morningside University in Sioux City.

The goal of both programs is the same, however: getting teachers into the profession at a time when staff shortages are a statewide problem.

RAPIL (Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure) was established in 2009. It’s a three-way partnership between the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. Its goal is to provide a pathway for professionals from other disciplines to transition into a secondary classroom.

Jackie Hawley completed the program in 2019 and is an eighth-grade science teacher at Fort Dodge Middle School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in dairy science pre-veterinary medicine as her undergraduate degree in 1996.

“I didn’t get into graduate school so I needed to come up with a Plan B,” she said. “I started in research, but was miserable doing that so I started volunteering at the school and then I worked as a paraeducator and then I went into the RAPIL program. If you have a passion or calling to work with kids and didn’t have an opportunity to do it in your 20s, this is a great way to go back to school and be a supportive influence on kids.”

Over the 14 years of the program, 170 teachers have been licensed in 28 different endorsement areas. More than 90 school districts have hired teachers from the RAPIL program, according to information on the RAPIL website.

“It’s a much-needed program to support schools in staffing secondary classrooms with content experts who want to teach,” said Fort Dodge Interim School Superintendent Denise Schares, who has taught in the RAPIL program for 13 years. “As we experience staff shortages, programs such as RAPIL and the Morningside program are key resources of candidates.”

According to information from the Regents website, the RAPIL program combines coursework, field experience and a year-long internship. The program takes two years to complete.

Prospective students need to have already earned a bachelor’s degree or higher while earning a 2.75 GPA.

They also need at least three years of post-baccalaureate work experience and have 75 percent of endorsement coursework requirements in at least one endorsement area.

Students in the RAPIL program earn 23 credit hours the first year and six credit hours the second. The second year is two semesters of an internship.

“It’s really intense and it would be difficult to do without a support system. The staff I work with are very supportive,” said Hawley. “Having that internship year was huge because in my first year I got my teaching salary instead of paying to student teach. It’s intense and stressful, but very much worth it when you are on the other side.”

The application deadline for the program is May 1. The projected total cost for the program is $13,840. That does not include travel to face-to-face classes, instructional materials, and other extra costs associated with attaining a teaching license.

Students do not earn a degree, but are recommended for an initial teaching license after completing the program.

RAPIL classes meet one day a week via Zoom from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and one Saturday per month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday classes are face-to-face and meet on one of the Regent campuses in Iowa City, Cedar Falls, or Ames.

Year two coursework is also delivered in a hybrid format with evening classes via Zoom and a few face-to-face classes on Saturdays.

Morningside’s program is similar to the RAPIL program, but it offers students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in their area of specialization. It’s also a two-year program.

Students earn an endorsement in their area, such as biology, English or family and consumer science. They also finish with a master of arts in teaching for secondary education.

Katie Moser went through the Morningside program and is now teaching biology classes at Fort Dodge Senior High School.

“I chose this program instead of RAPIL because through Morningside I will earn a master’s degree in secondary education. The RAPIL program does not award a degree, only a recommendation for the Iowa initial teaching license,” Moser said. “Earning a master’s degree was important to me for my specific future goals, but it may not make sense for everyone. This was the biggest reason I chose Morningside.”

Like the RAPIL program, prospective students need a bachelor’s degree from an endorsable area, a 2.75 GPA and three years post-bachelor work experience.

Students also get into the classroom after one year and are doing field experience their second, in their own classroom.

“It is a two-year program (6 terms), but gets you into the classroom after year one,” said Moser. “I really liked the program. It is a significant time commitment, but I managed to balance it with a full-time job, a dual coaching household, and parenting three boys … so I think anyone can do it.”

Like RAPIL, the Morningside program is considered a hybrid program. Students are required to spend some time on campus. During the fall term, students spend one Saturday per month on campus. During the second summer term, students spend four full days on campus in July.

“I think the biggest success factors for this program are communication (with professors, cooperating teachers, administrators) and prior experience working in a school, especially with a variety of learners,” Moser said. “The program is designed for working adults, but you should be prepared to spend time on assignments multiple days a week. It’s not easy, but if you’re organized and self-disciplined you’ll have a greater chance at succeeding.”