Tier I certification
Required for roles such as
- Assistant Principal
- Instructional Coach
- System Coordinator
Your school system must apply for the Nonrenewable Leadership Tier I (N3L) certificate.
Alternative Certification · APEL
APEL: Educational Leadership Certification in Southeast Georgia
Alternative Preparation for Educational Leadership at First District RESA: a non-degree, job-embedded route to Tier I or Tier II P-12 Educational Leadership certification in Georgia, earned in the role you already hold.
Ask about the next cohortHow the year works
Applications for the 2026–27 cohort closed on May 22, 2026. Dates for the next cohort are not posted yet.
What is APEL?
APEL — Alternative Preparation for Educational Leadership — is First District RESA's non-degree, job-embedded route to Tier I or Tier II P-12 Educational Leadership certification in Georgia. It is a one-year program for educators who already hold a leadership role in their district: monthly seminars, field-based leadership assignments, an FDRESA leadership coach and a district-assigned mentor, alongside the job.
Who it is for
Educators already working in a leadership role in their district — assistant principals, instructional coaches and system coordinators working toward Tier I, and principals and executive leaders working toward Tier II — who hold a master’s degree and need the certification that goes with the job.
How to start
Check the eligibility requirements below and ask your principal or supervisor for a nomination. Questions go to altcert@fdresa.org or (912) 253-6059.
Looking at other routes? GATAPP certifies new teachers, and endorsements add a field to a certificate you already hold.
APEL at a glance
- Program
- Alternative Preparation for Educational Leadership (APEL)
- Offered by
- First District RESA, Metter, Georgia
- Leads to
- Tier I or Tier II P-12 Educational Leadership certification
- Format
- Non-degree and job-embedded — you certify in the leadership role you hold
- Length
- One year
- Schedule
- Orientation and residency in July, then one seminar day a month from September to May, virtual or in person
- Support
- An FDRESA leadership coach and a district-assigned mentor
- Tuition
- $5,000 in a First District RESA system, $6,000 out of district (Tier I or Tier II)
- Application deadline
- Applications for the 2026–27 cohort closed on May 22, 2026. Dates for the next cohort are not posted yet.
- Contact
- altcert@fdresa.org · (912) 253-6059
Who can apply
Eligibility requirements
APEL is job-embedded: you apply from a leadership role you already hold, with your district behind you.
- Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on the highest degree
- Hold a leadership role in your district
- No ethics violations or GaPSC reprimands
- Completion of GACE Ethics for Educational Leadership (ETS #380 or Pearson #352)
- Proficient annual evaluations
Certification
Tier I and Tier II
Both tiers follow the one-year program at the same tuition, with their own seminar topics. Which one you take depends on your role.
Tier II certification
You must already hold a Tier I certificate.
Required for roles such as
- Principal
- Superintendent
- Executive Leadership
Your school system must apply for the Nonrenewable Leadership Tier II (N3L) certificate.
The year
One year, alongside the job
APEL opens with a residency in July and meets one day a month through the school year.
Before July
Application and nomination
Submit the complete packet, including a nomination from your current principal or supervisor.
July
Orientation and residency
An in-person session to kick off the program.
September – May
Monthly seminars
One day a month, by Google Meet or in person. Sample topics:
ITier I
- Administrative Leadership Styles
- Using Data & Assessment for Improvement
- Cultural Responsiveness in Schools
- Coaching and Communication Skills
- Legal/Ethical Considerations
IITier II
- Budget & Finance
- School Improvement Planning
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Staff Recruitment & Retention
- Ethics and Professional Accountability
Also part of the year
Clinical and field-based leadership assignments
Aligned with the Georgia Leader Standards and PSC requirements.
Personalized coaching and mentor feedback
Instruction from veteran educational leaders: an FDRESA leadership coach and a mentor assigned by your district.
Application
What to submit
A complete packet has seven parts, including a nomination from your current principal or supervisor.
Applications closed
Applications for the 2026–27 cohort closed on May 22, 2026. Dates for the next cohort are not posted yet. The application form is linked here when they are. To hear first, email altcert@fdresa.org.
- 1
System Assurance Form
- 2
Application & Payment Authorization
- 3
Nomination Form
From your current principal or supervisor
- 4
GaPSC certificate and Ethics completion proof
- 5
Resume, 3 references and a writing sample
- 6
College transcript
Sent to mail@gapsc.com
- 7
Most recent annual evaluation
Questions
APEL questions, answered
Anything else? Email altcert@fdresa.org and the Alternative Certification team will answer directly.
What is APEL?
APEL — Alternative Preparation for Educational Leadership — is First District RESA's non-degree, job-embedded route to Tier I or Tier II P-12 Educational Leadership certification in Georgia. It is a one-year program for educators who already hold a leadership role in their district: monthly seminars, field-based leadership assignments, an FDRESA leadership coach and a district-assigned mentor, alongside the job.
Who is eligible for APEL?
You need a master's degree or higher from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA on your highest degree, a leadership role in your district, proficient annual evaluations, no ethics violations or GaPSC reprimands, and completion of the GACE Ethics for Educational Leadership assessment (ETS #380 or Pearson #352).
What is the difference between Tier I and Tier II?
Tier I is required for roles such as assistant principal, instructional coach and system coordinator. Tier II is required for roles such as principal, superintendent and executive leadership, and you must already hold a Tier I certificate. For either tier, your school system applies for the Nonrenewable Leadership (N3L) certificate.
How long is APEL, and how is it delivered?
APEL is a one-year program. It opens with an in-person orientation and residency in July, followed by one seminar day a month from September to May, by Google Meet or in person. It also includes clinical and field-based leadership assignments aligned with the Georgia Leader Standards and PSC requirements, with coaching from an FDRESA leadership coach and feedback from a district-assigned mentor.
How much does APEL cost?
Tuition for Tier I or Tier II is $5,000 if you work in a First District RESA school system and $6,000 out of district. Check with your district about payroll deduction options.
What goes in the APEL application packet?
The System Assurance Form, the Application & Payment Authorization, a Nomination Form from your current principal or supervisor, your GaPSC certificate and proof of Ethics completion, a resume with three references and a writing sample, your college transcript (sent to mail@gapsc.com) and your most recent annual evaluation.
When is the APEL application deadline?
Applications for the 2026–27 cohort closed on May 22, 2026. Dates for the next cohort are not posted yet. Email altcert@fdresa.org to hear when applications open.
Who do I contact about APEL?
Email the Alternative Certification team at altcert@fdresa.org or call the APEL program at (912) 253-6059. First District RESA is at 149 South Register Street, Metter, GA 30439.