First District RESAFirst District RESA
APEL Program FY2026–2027

Alternative Preparation for Educational Leadership

The APEL program at First District RESA offers a non-degree, job-embedded certification pathway for educators seeking Tier I or Tier II P-12 Educational Leadership certification in Georgia.

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One-Year Program
Tier I or Tier II
Job-Embedded
Leadership Experience
Mentorship
District-Assigned Mentor
FDRESA Coach
Leadership Support
Monthly Seminars
Virtual or In-Person
Field-Based
Clinical Experiences

Eligibility Requirements

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

Tier I and Tier II Certification Paths

I

Tier I Certification

Required for roles such as:

  • Assistant Principal
  • Instructional Coach
  • System Coordinator

System must apply for Nonrenewable Leadership Tier I (N3L) certificate

II

Tier II Certification

Required for roles such as:

  • Principal
  • Superintendent
  • Executive Leadership

Must already hold a Tier I certificate. System must apply for Nonrenewable Leadership Tier II (N3L) certificate

Tuition Costs

$5,000
Tier I & Tier II
(FDRESA System)
$6,000
Tier I & Tier II
(Out-of-District)

Please check with your district about payroll deduction options

APEL Components

Orientation & Residency in July

In-person session to kick off the program

Monthly Seminars (September–May)

1 day per month via virtual Google Meet sessions or in person

Clinical and Field-Based Leadership Assignments

Aligned with Georgia Leader Standards and PSC requirements

Personalized Coaching & Mentor Feedback

Instruction from veteran educational leaders

Sample Seminar Topics

I
Tier I Seminar Topics

  • Administrative Leadership Styles
  • Using Data & Assessment for Improvement
  • Cultural Responsiveness in Schools
  • Coaching and Communication Skills
  • Legal/Ethical Considerations

II
Tier II Seminar Topics

  • Budget & Finance
  • School Improvement Planning
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Staff Recruitment & Retention
  • Ethics and Professional Accountability

How to Apply

Application packets must include:

System Assurance Form
Application & Payment Authorization
Nomination Form (from current principal or supervisor)
GAPSC Certificate & Ethics Completion Proof
Resume, 3 References, & Writing Sample
College Transcript (sent to mail@gapsc.com)
Most recent Annual Evaluation

All required documents must be submitted by

May 22, 2026

Apply Here

Contact Us

First District RESA – APEL Program

Website

www.fdresa.org

Email

dhiggins@fdresa.org

Phone

912-253-6059

Ready to Lead?

The APEL program combines rigorous coursework with real-world leadership experience to prepare you for Tier I and Tier II educational leadership roles in Georgia.

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