Colorado Educator Preparation Programs

Carol Kumm

Jul 23, 2024

848

Colorado Alternative Teacher Licensure Program

Single Endorsements: Elementary Education (Grades K-6); English Language Arts (Grades 7-12); Middle School Mathematics (Grades 6-8); Secondary Mathematics (Grades 7-12); Science (Grades 7-12); Social Studies (Grades 7-12)

Relay’s Colorado Alternative Teacher Licensure Program is intended for students who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to seek teacher certification in Colorado while teaching in a Colorado school.

The Colorado Alternative Teacher Licensure program is offered as a non-degree program (23 credit hours/4 terms) or through enrollment in a corresponding Master of Arts in Teaching program:

Single endorsements are offered through enrollment in a corresponding MAT program (32 credits/6 terms).
Students seeking the Elementary Education (Grades K-6) endorsement may choose to enroll in the MAT in Elementary Education for a single endorsement in Elementary Education (Grades K-6) or the MAT in Special Education, which offers the opportunity to pursue the Elementary Education endorsement and the Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21 endorsement), sequentially through the Colorado Alternative Teacher Licensure Program and the Colorado Additional Endorsement Program. Students must successfully complete all requirements for and obtain the Colorado Initial Teacher License in a general education endorsement area by the end of the fourth term in the program to be eligible to pursue the Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) additional endorsement in the second year.

Students complete aligned coursework and one (1) academic year of qualifying clinical experience as an alternatively licensed/alternative interim authorized teacher of record in a Colorado school. Students’ teaching assignments must match their endorsement area. Clinical experiences are supervised by Relay faculty and a school-based clinical mentor. Academic plans detailing specific course requirements may be accessed on the Academic Plans site. Students are provided with a detailed course schedule at orientation.

Successful program completers who meet all necessary requirements for licensure may apply to advance to the Colorado Initial Teacher License, valid for 3 years from the date of issue. A complete list of requirements for program admission, completion, and licensure can be found in the Colorado Alternative Teacher Licensure Program Transition Points Guide .

Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program

Dual Endorsement: Early Childhood Education (Ages 0-8); Elementary Education (Grades K-6); English Language Arts (Grades 7-12); Middle School Mathematics (Grades 6-8); Secondary Mathematics (Grades 7-12); Science (Grades 7-12); Social Studies (Grades 7-12); AND Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (Grades K-12)

Relay’s Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program is intended for Relay Teaching Residents who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to seek teacher certification in Colorado through a gradual on-ramp. All students earn a dual endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (Grades K-12) in addition to their general education endorsement.

The Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure program is offered as a non-degree program (23 credit hours/4 terms) or through enrollment in a corresponding Master of Arts in Teaching program:

Endorsements in early childhood, elementary, middle school, or secondary teaching are offered through enrollment in a corresponding MAT program (32 credits/6 terms).
Students located in Colorado who are seeking the Elementary Education (Grades K-6) endorsement may choose to enroll in the MAT in Elementary Education for a single endorsement in Elementary Education (Grades K-6), or the MAT in Special Education, which offers the opportunity to pursue the Elementary Education (Grades K-6) endorsement followed by the Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) endorsement through the Colorado Additional Endorsement Program. Students must successfully complete all requirements for and obtain the Colorado Initial Teacher License in a general education endorsement area by the end of the fourth term in the program to be eligible to pursue the Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) additional endorsement in the second year.

Students complete aligned coursework and 800 hours of qualifying clinical experience (400 hours of field experience and 400 hours of student teaching) in a non-lead teaching instructional role while under the supervision of Relay faculty and a school-based clinical mentor. The content area and grade level of the instructional role must closely align to the student’s endorsement area for the first year in the program. Students may not work as teachers of record until they have completed the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program. Academic plans detailing specific course requirements may be accessed on the Academic Plans site. Students are provided with a detailed course schedule at orientation.

Successful program completers who meet all necessary requirements for licensure may apply for the Colorado Initial Teacher License, valid for 3 years from the date of issue. A complete list of requirements for program admission, completion, and licensure can be found in Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program Transition Points Guide.

Georgia Students in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program

Students located in Georgia may enroll in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program as a non-degree candidate, or through a corresponding MAT program and complete clinical experience requirements in Georgia. Students located in Georgia may pursue any general education endorsement through completion of the first four terms of the MAT in Special Education but are not eligible to pursue the Colorado Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) additional endorsement.

After completing the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program and meeting Georgia state-specific requirements, students located in Georgia may apply for certification in Georgia as an out-of-state program completer.

Georgia State-Specific Requirements

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission requires candidates to obtain a Pre-Service Certificate in order to complete student teaching hours in a Georgia school. Candidates are required to complete a successful Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) criminal record check as well as the Georgia Educator Ethics-Program Entry Assessment in order to qualify for a Pre-Service Teaching Certificate. Candidates will need to complete student teaching in a placement that matches the content and grade-level band of the Georgia teaching field.

Georgia requires one or more content exams for teacher licensure. A content exam assesses a student's knowledge of the subject they will be teaching. Relay students must pass their state-mandated content area exams in order to be a program completer in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program. At the time of licensure, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission will verify passing scores on the required exam. More information on test names, codes, and scores is viewable at GACE.

Additional information can be found in the Out-of-State Teacher Licensure Guide for Georgia.

Rhode Island Students in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program

Students located in Rhode Island may enroll in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program as a non-degree student, or through the corresponding MAT program and complete clinical experience requirements in Rhode Island. Students located in Rhode Island may pursue any general education endorsement through completion of the first four terms of the MAT in Special Education but are not eligible to pursue the Colorado Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) additional endorsement.

Students located in Rhode Island may take additional steps to apply for licensure in Rhode Island as an out-of-state program completer. More information can be found in the Out-of-State Teacher Licensure Guide for Rhode Island.

Washington, DC, Students in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program

Students located in Washington, DC, may enroll in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program through the corresponding MAT program and complete clinical experience requirements in Washington, DC. Students located in Washington, DC, may pursue any general education endorsement through completion of the first four terms of the MAT in Special Education but are not eligible to pursue the Colorado Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) additional endorsement.

Students located in Washington, DC, may take additional steps to apply for licensure in Washington, DC, as an out-of-state licensed teacher or as an out-of-state program completer.

Washington, DC, Specific Requirements

The District of Columbia requires one or more content exams, a basic skills exam, and a professional knowledge exam for teacher licensure. Relay students must pass their state-mandated content area exams in order to be a program completer in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program. The basic skills and professional knowledge exams must be passed for licensure.

At the time of licensure, verification of a passing score on all required exams will need to be shown. For more information on test names, codes, and scores, please view the Educator Credentialing Exams guide.

More information about obtaining a Standard Teacher Credential in Washington, DC, can be found at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

Connecticut, Elementary Resident Students in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program

Students located in Connecticut may enroll in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program as a non-degree candidate pursuing licensure in Elementary Education (K-6), or through a corresponding MAT program in Elementary Education and complete clinical experience requirements in Connecticut.

After completing the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program, students located in Connecticut may apply for certification in Connecticut as an out-of-state program completer.

Connecticut Specific Requirements

Connecticut requires one or more content exams for teacher licensure. Relay students must pass their state-mandated content area exams in order to be a program completer in the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program.

At the time of licensure, verification of a passing score on all required exams will need to be shown. For more information on test names, codes, and scores, please view What Assessments are Required for CT Educators.

Colorado Additional Endorsement Program

Additional Endorsement: Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21)

The Colorado Additional Endorsement Program is intended for educators who hold at least a bachelor’s degree and a valid Colorado Initial Teacher License and wish to seek the Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21) additional endorsement.

The Colorado Additional Endorsement Program is offered through the Advanced Certificate in Special Education (21 credits/3 terms). Academic plans detailing specific course requirements may be accessed on the Academic Plans site. Students are provided with a detailed course schedule at orientation.

Successful program completers who meet all necessary requirements for the endorsement may apply to add the Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-12) endorsement to their current license. A complete list of requirements for program admission, completion, and licensure can be found in the Colorado Additional Endorsement Program Transition Points Guide.