GMercyU, Bucks IU, and Bucks County Community College Launch Pennsylvania’s First Undergraduate Special Education Apprenticeship Program
Addressing a critical shortage in special education teaching, Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU), the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU), and Bucks County Community College have partnered to launch Pennsylvania’s first undergraduate apprenticeship program designed specifically to train and certify PK-12 special education teachers.
The program offers a pathway for paraprofessionals employed by Bucks IU to earn their Pennsylvania Special Education Teaching Certification and a bachelor’s degree while continuing to work full-time. Participants will complete their first 60 credits through Bucks County Community College, and their remaining credits at GMercyU. Their on-the-job experience will satisfy field experience requirements, and student teaching will take place within the Bucks IU system.
Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the program is the only registered baccalaureate apprenticeship in the state with a special education focus. This initiative builds on GMercyU’s longstanding commitment to preparing highly qualified educators through accessible, workforce-aligned academic programming.
“This apprenticeship creates a sustainable pipeline for special education teachers by making certification more attainable for individuals already working in our schools,” said Deborah E. Schadler, PhD, PRSE, Coordinator of Undergraduate Education at GMercyU. “It’s a direct response to the urgent need for qualified special educators and a continuation of our mission to transform lives through education.”
Participants will receive a salary as paraprofessionals, with structured pay increases tied to academic milestones. Eligible students will receive a 10% tuition grant to attend GMercyU as Bucks IU employees and may qualify for additional federal or state financial aid. The GMercyU courses are offered fully online to accommodate the needs of working professionals.
A leader in educator preparation across the Commonwealth, GMercyU students have earned more than 850 Pennsylvania education-related certifications, including more than 500 teaching certifications since 2019.