Resources

Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership-Fully Online
To help teachers make a difference in their districts and communities, our innovative online Teacher Leadership program offers graduate certificates that can lead to a CU Boulder master’s degree. Our coursework threads reflective practices, content mastery and skill development throughout so that students can practice leadership skills as they engage with the curriculum. This program is offered entirely online and is organized around self-paced (i.e. course work completed at separate times) as well as real-time formats (i.e. meeting virtually at the same time).

Graduate Certificates

• Teacher and Social and Emotional Learning
• Teaching Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Students
• Leading for Change in Science Assessment Practice
• Cultivating Compassion and Dignity in Ourselves and Our Schools
• Inclusive and Special Education
• Designing for Learning: Inquiry-Based Pedagogy for K-12 Educators
• Teachers Leading Change

Program Information: https://www.colorado.edu/academics/grad-teacher-leadership
Tuition and Scholarships: https://live-ucb-program-teacherleadership.pantheonsite.io/tuition

Teacher Licensure
The School of Education is dedicated to preparing teachers to advance educational equity and social justice. Teacher candidates explore instructional methods specific to their content areas, examine the social foundations of education, and learn specific strategies to meet all students’ needs in today’s classrooms. We offer programs for undergraduate teacher candidates interested in elementary education in grades K-6 or multiple secondary education tracks for grades 7-12, post-BA candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and want to focus on teacher licensure, and students interested in earning a Master's degree plus teacher licensure. Online and in-person learning opportunities

More Information: https://www.colorado.edu/education/academics/teacher-licensure

Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education

UCCS offers two fully online options for licensure in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Both options are compatible with the UCCS Inclusive Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship program.

• Inclusive Early Childhood Education (IECE), BA. This undergraduate option is an excellent opportunity for aspiring educators who wish to specialize in inclusive early childhood education. Graduates qualify for Colorado teacher credentials in ECE and ECSE, as well as the Colorado Child Care Center Director Qualification. Students can choose to complete all four years of the degree program at UCCS or transfer credits from a community college for the first two years of program requirements. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/inclusive-early-childhood-ed-ba
• Inclusive Early Childhood Education, Graduate Certificate. This graduate program qualifies students to earn a CDE teaching license in ECE and ECSE. If a person already has a Colorado teaching license, they may earn the ECE and ECSE added endorsements with this same certificate. The coursework in this certificate may be applied toward a Master’s degree in Special Education. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/inclusive-early-childhood-education-grad-cert

Elementary Education
UCCS offers two fully online options for licensure in Elementary Education. Both options are compatible with para-to-teacher apprenticeship programs.

• Inclusive Elementary Education (IELM), BA. This undergraduate option is an excellent opportunity for aspiring elementary teachers to engage in cross-disciplinary coursework required to secure an initial Colorado teaching license endorsed for K-6 elementary education, special education, and culturally and linguistically diverse education. Students can choose to complete all four years of the degree program at UCCS or transfer credits from a community college for up to the first two years of program requirements. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/inclusive-elementary-ed-ba
• Elementary Initial License Undergraduate Certificate. This undergraduate program qualifies students to earn a CDE teaching license in elementary education if they have already earned a bachelor’s degree. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/elementary-license-undergrad-cert

Paraprofessionals
UCCS is focusing on an apprenticeship model for the training of paraprofessionals interested in obtaining their teaching license. Any school district interested in learning more should contact Dr. Katie Anderson-Pence, Associate Dean College of Education.  Email: kander19@uccs.edu or call (719) 255-4043

Special Education
UCCS offers two fully online pathways for individuals to become licensed special education teachers with a Special Education, Generalist endorsement. The Special Education programs at UCCS prioritize innovative and inclusive education with high expectations for all students in general education. The programs emphasize universal design principles to ensure academic accessibility, focusing on recognizing student strengths and understanding diverse learning styles.

• Special Education: Initial License Graduate Certificate. This graduate program qualifies students to earn a CDE teaching license in Special Education. The coursework in this certificate may be applied toward a Master’s degree in Special Education. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/special-education-initial-license-grad-cert
• Special Education: Added Endorsement Graduate Certificate. This graduate program is for individuals who already have a Colorado teaching license, but who what to obtain an added endorsement in Special Education. The coursework in this certificate may be applied toward a Master’s degree in Special Education. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/special-education-added-endorsement-grad-cert

Secondary Education
Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) Graduate Certificate. UCCS offers online preparation of secondary educators through their Alternative Licensure Program (ALP). UCCS is a "designated agency" approved by the Colorado State Board of Education to provide a one-year program for candidates seeking licensure in one of the following areas: Secondary English Language Arts, Secondary Mathematics, Secondary Science, Secondary Social Studies, World Languages (K-12), or Computer Science. Individuals must already have earned a bachelor’s degree to enroll in this program. This is a fully online program, and its coursework may be applied toward a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/alp

Graduate Endorsement Programs
UCCS offers online graduate programs for in-service teachers who wish to add endorsements in the following areas to their teaching license. Coursework from these certificates may be applied toward a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (math, gifted education) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

• Teaching Mathematics Graduate Certificate. This program leads to the Middle School Mathematics endorsement. It provides in-service teachers with the additional depth of mathematics content and pedagogical knowledge needed to engage students in meaningful mathematics learning. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/teaching-math-grad-cert
• Gifted & Talented Education Graduate Certificate. This program leads to the Gifted Education endorsement. It provides teachers with research and evidence-based professional coursework to increase their capacity, knowledge, and skills to become teachers of gifted and talented students for grades P-12). Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/teaching-math-grad-cert
• Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement. This program prepares in-service teachers to work with students learning English as a second or additional language. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/teaching-learning/culturally-linguistically-diverse-endorsement

Principal Licensure
UCCS offers an online principal licensure program based on a foundation of research in the areas of organizational leadership, inclusive leadership, instructional leadership, professionalism, and data literacy. The program adheres to the Colorado Principal Quality Standards developed by the Colorado Department of Education and is approved by the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Program Information: https://coe.uccs.edu/academics/leadership-research-foundations/principal-licensure

Superintendent Licensure
Programs are intended to support succession from building administrators to central administration. Beginning in the summer of 2024, a fully online EdD and administrator licensure will be offered via a 3-year program. The cohort will run once per year and will consist of national and international students. Capacity is available for customizable, small, place-based cohorts with flexible delivery modalities. Program Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/academics/graduate/leadership-for-educational-organizations/detail/Administrator-License-Executive-Leadership

Principal Licensure
Prepares district leaders for future-ready schools. Equipped with a focus on diversity and social justice and the skills and knowledge to develop a vision for a successful school, graduates pursue careers as elementary, middle, or high school principals and administrators to realize change at school and community levels.

• Fully online distance learning cohort in the summer that serves educators from across Colorado.
• Content is focused on building skillsets and can be tailored to meet district or regional needs
• Option to create customizable content for cohorts of 18-22 with flexible delivery modalities

Program Information: https://www.ucdenver.edu/programs/Leadership-for-Educational-Organizations-MA

Financial Aid Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/academic-services/financial-aid

Special Education
CU Denver offers multiple MA programs that are completely online to maximize flexible learning opportunities for rural educators:

• Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education Specialist (Endorsement)
• Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education Specialist (License)
• Endorsement, Special Education Director
• Endorsement, ELEVATE Early Childhood Special Education

Program Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/partnerships/t-prep/masters-programs

ASPIRE to Teach®-Alternative Teacher Licensure
ASPIRE to Teach is the largest Designated Agency in Colorado preparing alternative licensed teachers statewide in all qualifying endorsements areas and types of PreK-12 educational settings. Over six years the program has licensed more than 1000 teachers across 49 counties in Colorado through responsive partnerships with our candidates, schools, districts, charter networks, and educational organizations. More Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/continuing-education/aspire#ac-what-is-a-cde-alternative-license-0

T-Prep
The University of Colorado Denver partners with Colorado rural community colleges to create innovative pathways to a bachelor's degree that can be competed entirely at the community college. We currently have partnerships with Lamar Community College in Lamar, Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Otero College in La Junta, and Trinidad State College in Trinidad and Alamosa.

The teacher preparation partnership brings together a top public urban research university and prestigious rural colleges to provide an affordable four-year pathway to teacher licensure. After successful completion of the four-year program, participants will graduate with a BA in Education and Human Development from CU Denver and a teaching license from the Colorado Department of Education.

The program prepares students with an education that is rooted in best practices and a strong commitment to working in rural communities. Hands-on learning opportunities are incorporated throughout, including early field trainings and a full year of teaching experience in a local classroom.

Program Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/partnerships/t-prep/undergraduate-programs

Financial Aid Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/partnerships/t-prep/undergraduate-programs/financial-aid

High School Dual Enrollment Pathways2Teaching
“Grow your own” educator programs are becoming increasingly popular to address teacher shortages. University of Colorado Denver’s nationally recognized Pathway2Teaching programs strengthen the link between students who demonstrate a passion for education and school districts wishing to grow their own teachers and strengthen and diversify their workforce. Our Dual Enrollment Pathways programs: allow students to earn up to a year of college credit toward a teaching degree; open doors for more students of color; build relationships that drive college admissions, registration, and student success; and leverage highly relevant high school and college courses and field experiences to awaken students’ desire to teach. The programs have a social justice lens and are highly responsive to students’ lived experiences. Program Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/partnerships/pathways2teaching

Paraprofessional to Teaching Advancement Pathway (P-TAP)
 P-TAP is an innovative and flexible pathway intentionally designed for working paraprofessionals across the State of Colorado to complete a bachelor’s degree with license in Early Childhood, Elementary, or Special Education. P-TAP Fellows maintain a paid paraprofessional position throughout the program and are immersed in an inclusive, supportive community to deepen their instructional expertise while completing courses online from wherever they live and work through our “boundaryless” approach. Program Information: https://education.ucdenver.edu/partnerships/p-tap