Bachelor of Arts: Liberal Arts with Elementary Education Licensing (CAGS)

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Within the context of a Christian worldview, the BA Liberal Arts with Elementary Education Licensing degree provides a challenging, theory-based and application-oriented approach to education. Students acquire knowledge, develop skills and demonstrate competencies necessary to teach effectively in public and private schools. Courses and field experiences develop educators who are dedicated to addressing diverse learner needs with excellence through servant-leadership in their field and in society.

The emphasis on becoming a master teacher enhances the student’s teaching abilities through the study of curriculum development, program assessment, psychological foundations of teaching methods, group dynamics, and critical thinking skills. These principles are then put into practical application with the student gaining hands-on experience in the classroom. This combination of conceptual knowledge applied in real-world classroom experiences contributes to the student’s development as a master teacher.

Students who satisfactorily complete all requirements of the Elementary Education Licensing program are qualified to teach in kindergarten through sixth grade in Colorado. Upon successful program completion, graduates meet requirements for certification by the Association of Christian Schools International and may also apply to the Colorado Department of Education for a teaching license.

Students in the bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with Elementary Education Licensing program may apply to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) . Upon acceptance, two graduate level courses included in the BA professional core can be applied to the MACI degree.

Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with Elementary Education Licensing (120 credits):
General Education (22 credits)
Liberal Arts Major Core (26 credits)
Elementary Education Professional Core (48 credits)
Electives (24 credits)

General Education Core Requirements (22 credit hours)

Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)

INT 211A - Adult Studies Seminar I (3)

Communications - (9 credit hours)

Must include 6 credits of written and 3 credits of oral communication.

Behavioral, Social Science - (3 credit hours)

PSY 101A - General Psychology (3)
Or Psychology equivalent.

Mathematics - (3 credit hours)

MAT 110A - Math Concepts (3)
Or higher level Math. MAT 212A (Statistics) and MAT 250A (Research and Applied Statistics) cannot be used to fulfill the general education requirement.

Natural/Physical Science - (4 credits w/lab)

BIO 102A - Biological Diversity (3)
Or other Science equivalent.
BIO 112A - Biological Diversity Lab (1)
Or other Science lab equivalent.

Liberal Arts Major Core Requirements (26 credit hours)

PHL 205A - World Views (3)
This course must be taken at CCU.
ART 112A - Art Appreciation (3) OR
HUM 101A - Creative Arts (3)
Or Creative Arts/Fine Arts/Music Appreciation equivalent.
HUM 229A - C.S. Lewis in Film & Literature (3) OR
HUM 216A - Classic Christmas Films & Literature (3)
Or Literature equivalent.
INT 212A - Adult Studies Seminar II (3) (required)
HIS 111A - Old Testament (3) OR
HUM 114A - New Testament (3)
Other equivalent Biblical Studies course may be used
CIS 201A - Introduction to Computer Applications (3)
Or Computer Application equivalent. Only courses completed within the past 5 years will be accepted for Liberal Arts major core requirement.
HIS 201A - World Civilization I (3)
Or Social Science equivalent.
HIS 204A - America since 1877 (3)
Or American History/Government equivalent. If American Government is chosen, then another social science course with HIS prefix must be completed.
Choose Natural/Physical Science elective equivalent to two (2) credit hours.

Elective Requirements (24 credit hours)

Complete 24 elective credit hours.

Requirements for Entrance into the Professional Core:

Completed background check by submitting fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for acceptance by the Colorado department of Education. (Required for program admission in order to be placed in a field experience.)
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for courses completed at CCU. A minimum of 9 credit hours must be completed at CCU prior to admission into the education programs.
Interview with Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Education, Program Director or other education staff designee.
Writing sample to be completed at time of interview.
All applicants must take and pass the state approved content exam for elementary education and submit test results to CCU prior to enrolling in any education core courses. Applicants who do not pass the test may be admitted by the Program Director under conditional admission, retake the test and submit a passing score by the end of the first semester.
Applicants must complete all general education, liberal arts, and elective requirements prior to enrolling in any education courses. Applicants may be admitted by the Program Director for conditional admission with a maximum of 9 credits outstanding in any of the above areas.
One professional letter of recommendation.

Professional Core Requirements (48 credit hours)

All program admission requirements must be met before enrolling into education core.

Graduation Requirements

The faculty recommends students in the BA in Liberal Arts with Elementary Education Licensing to the Board of Trustees as candidates for graduation when they have completed the following requirements.

Completion of a total of 120 credits, including all general education, liberal arts, electives, and professional core requirements.
Passing score on the state approved content exam.
A letter grade of D or higher in all non-education CCU coursework, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in all CCU coursework.
Teacher candidates must earn a C- or better in all education cohort core courses, and must consistently demonstrate professional disposition qualities, knowledge and skills in all core courses and field studies. In Student Teaching the teacher candidates must earn a grade of C or better, be assessed as proficient in Teacher Quality Standards, which includes the Teacher Work Sample and Teaching Evidence Log. Teacher candidates who do not maintain these standards may be dismissed from the program and/ or not be recommended for teacher licensure.
Recommendation by the CAGS Division of Curriculum and Instruction Education Dean for Elementary Education Licensing by the Colorado Department of Education.
Compliance with CAGS residency requirements .
Formal and timely application for graduation by the date specified by the University Registrar.
No outstanding financial obligations to the University.