The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Hub

麻豆精品

The first years of a child鈥檚 life shape everything that follows. High-quality early childhood education is a game-changer鈥攕etting children up for success in school and beyond. At 麻豆精品, we believe that dedicated, well-trained educators are the key to making that impact. Our Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Program empowers early educators to advance their careers while continuing to transform young lives every day.

About the Apprenticeship Program

Created to support early childhood educators in Pennsylvania who want to advance their careers while continuing to work, this program is designed to remove barriers and build capacity within the early education system while fostering professional growth.

Participants must work at least 25 hours per week at a licensed childcare center and can pursue one of two degree paths:

Bachelors in early development & Learning (EDLE)
Pre-K-4 Teacher Certification

Flexible, Work-Friendly Learning

We understand the demands of working professionals. That鈥檚 why Carlow offers a hybrid learning model:

Certification-seeking students attend evening, in-person classes at our Oakland, Cranberry, or Westmoreland campuses, combined with online coursework.
Non-certification students can complete their EDLE degree fully online.
Apprenticeship students earn up to 21 credits through an 鈥渙n-the-job鈥� format, applying course content directly to their work in early learning settings.

Personalized Support

Students in the apprenticeship program receive individualized mentorship from experienced early childhood educators who provide guidance and encouragement. Additionally, students have access to:

Professional development workshops and training opportunities
A departmental lending library for course materials

Financial Assistance

Carlow is committed to making this program affordable. Most students graduate with little to no cost for their degree, thanks to a combination of financial aid and scholarships, including:

PASSHE PDO (Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization)
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program

Our Apprenticeship Program Team collaborates closely with Carlow鈥檚 Financial Aid Office to assist students in securing state and federal grants, including PELL and PHEAA.

Join a Supportive Community

Carlow鈥檚 apprenticeship program empowers educators to thrive in their careers while staying true to their passion for shaping young learners. Hear from our students:

鈥淚 think that all of my courses so far and all of my teachers have put an emphasis on culturally inclusive classrooms and how to be able to do that effectively and without bias.鈥�

鈥淏ecause it was affordable, and it worked well with my schedule as a full-time employee and a full-time single mom.鈥�

鈥淛ust being able to have a mentor to talk to if you ever have any problems. She’s extremely helpful, giving me what I need, the books, the funding, which is amazing, and she has helped me a lot. All members of the Apprenticeship Program have helped me.鈥�

For More Information

Contact Susan Polojac, M.Ed., Apprenticeship Program Director at slpolojac@carlow.edu

Susan L. Polojac MEd Director, Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Program for Early Childhood Education

In Memory of Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh (1971-2022)

Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh dedicated her career to early childhood education, shaping the future of teaching through mentorship, research, and advocacy. A professor at 麻豆精品 for 12 years, she pioneered Pennsylvania鈥檚 first four-year apprenticeship program, ensuring accessible pathways to higher education for early educators. Her legacy continues through the dedicated work of her colleagues and the passionate educators she inspired.