Special Education Generalist Endorsement

The Colorado Department of Education defines an endorsement as 24 earned credit hours in a content area from a regionally accredited institution. Licensed teachers who want to add a special education generalist endorsement to their teaching license may complete 21 of the credit hours in graduate level special education courses through the Special Education Generalist Endorsement program. Courses provide the necessary content for teachers to add a special education endorsement to their Colorado teaching license.

Teachers who have been hired as Special Education instructors may apply to CCU as Special Education Endorsement candidates. Once teachers have been accepted into the program, they have the option to apply for a Special Education Temporary Authorization (SETA) from the Colorado Department of Education.

Upon completion of 21 credit hours of special education courses, in addition to the 3 credit prerequisite, teachers may apply to the Colorado Department of Education for an added endorsement as a Special Education Generalist.

Colorado licensed teachers who want to add a special education endorsement while earning a master’s degree should review the program requirements for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) program.

Teacher candidates who do not hold a teaching license and have been hired as a Special Education Instructor should apply to the Alternative Licensing Program: Special Education Generalist program.

Admission requirements for the Special Education Endorsement follow the requirements for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI). This program is eligible for financial aid.

Prerequisite Professional Core Requirements (3 Credit Hours)

All applicants are required to have an introductory background in special education. This background may be obtained through undergraduate or graduate coursework as demonstrated by the student’s transcript or taken at CCU.

Introduction to Special Education - An introduction to the profession of special education focusing on the foundations of special education and current trends/issues.

Special Education Endorsement Requirements (21 Credit Hours)

Program Completion Requirements

Completion of a total of 21 credit hours in the required core.
A letter grade of C or better in each graduate education course and a cumulative CCU grade point average of 3.0 or higher on the University’s 4.0 scale.
Compliance with CAGS residency requirements .
No outstanding financial obligations to the University.

Master’s Degree

Upon successful completion of the Special Education Generalist Endorsement, candidates may elect to apply 21 graduate education credits towards a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) degree by submitting a Change of Program form.

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