Alternative Licensing Program (CAGS)

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There are two Alternative Licensing programs offered through CCU: Alternative Licensing Program: Special Education Generalist (CAGS) and Regular Alternative Teacher Licensing (early childhood, elementary, and grades 7-12 all subject areas except Culturally & Linguistically Diverse).

Colorado Christian University is authorized by the Colorado Department of Education to deliver an Alternative Teacher Licensing Program. This is a one-year program designed for non-licensed teachers who are teaching in a Colorado public or private school. The candidates in the program receive supervised coaching in the classroom, as well as 15 credit hours of graduate coursework which is a part of a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) . The combination of classroom teaching and graduate coursework may lead to an institutional recommendation from the University for an initial teaching license, the standard entry-level license in Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Education requires that students pursuing teaching licensure in Colorado earn a degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete an approved educator preparation program.

Requirements for Entrance into the Alternative Licensing Program

Candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Candidates must apply and be accepted to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) .
Candidates must apply to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) for a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) to be admitted to an alternative licensing program. The CDE determines the areas in which a candidate is qualified to teach.
Candidates must pass the state approved content exam in the area(s) designated and approved by the CDE on their application review, or have 24 semester hours in the content area in which they plan to teach. In the elementary content area, candidates must take and pass the Colorado state approved elementary content exam (PRAXIS II or PLACE).
After a candidate has received the Statement of Eligibility (SOE) and secured a full-time teaching position in a public or accredited private school, the candidate may apply for the Alternative Licensing Program at CCU.

Alternative Licensing Program Professional Core (15 credit hours)

Master’s Degree

Upon successful completion of the Alternative Licensing Program, candidates may elect to apply 15 graduate education credits towards a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) degree by submitting a Change of Program form.

Program Completion Requirements

Completion of 15 credits of professional core requirements.
A cumulative CCU grade point average of 3.0 or higher on the university’s 4.0 scale.
A C or better in all professional core courses, and must consistently demonstrate professional disposition qualities, knowledge and skills in all coursework.
Compliance with CAGS residency requirements .
Completion of a License Completion Form.
Recommendation by the CAGS Division of Curriculum and Instruction Education Dean or Program Director for an Initial Teaching License by the Colorado Department of Education.
No outstanding financial obligations to the university.