06/02/2026
As shared in the PaTTAN Essential Bulletin for Educators:
GUIDE Program: First Cohort of Apprentices Now Certified
The DePaul School for Hearing and Speech celebrated the graduation of their first cohort of Registered Apprentices in our GUIDE program! Five candidates have completed their Master's Degree in Special Education: PK-12 Hearing Impaired Certification through a consortium of universities.
La Roche University Professor Dr. Natalie Rugg coordinated the program, which included courses from Robert Morris University, Minot (ND) State University and Utah State University, to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for teacher certification and the PA Labor and Industry requirements of a Registered Apprenticeship.
This novel approach to teacher certification taps into strengths and available resources in a new and sustainable manner. These graduates have achieved the credentials to teach children who are deaf or in need of hearing support educational services in any educational setting in Pennsylvania, not just at DePaul School.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES!