Post Baccalaureate Special Education Generalist Licensing (CAGS)

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Adult students who have already earned a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree may qualify for admission to the Post Baccalaureate Special Education Generalist Licensing. Within the context of a Christian worldview, the Post Baccalaureate Special Education Generalist Licensing Program 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, private, and international 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 experience contributes to the student’s development as a master teacher.

As schools of the 21^st century strive to increase performance of all students, they provide multiple tiers of research-based instruction to meet a variety of student needs. The special education generalist plays a critical role in providing instruction and support for students with disabilities across the tiers. Generalists are good problem solvers who ask questions, continually reflect on and adjust their practice, are committed to individualization, and believe all students can learn.

In addition to satisfactory completion of required coursework, candidates must pass the Special Education Generalist PLACE exam. Students who satisfactorily complete all requirements of the Special Education Generalist Licensing program are qualified to teach K-12 special education. 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 Post Baccalaureate Special Education Generalist Licensing Program may apply to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) . Upon acceptance, two graduate level courses included in the professional core can be applied to the MACI degree.

The Post Baccalaureate Special Education Generalist Licensing program requires completion of a minimum of 69 semester hours as follows:
General Education and Liberal Arts Prerequisites (12 credits)
Colorado Christian University (CAGS) Core (9 credits)
Professional Core (48 credits)

General Education and Liberal Arts Prerequisite Requirements (12 credit hours)

BIO 102A - Biological Diversity (3)
Or other Science may be used.
ENG 102A - English Composition (3)
HIS 204A - America since 1877 (3)
Or other Social Science may be used.
MAT 110A - Math Concepts (3)
Or other college level Math may be used. MAT 212A (Statistics) and MAT 250 (Research and Applied Statistics) cannot be used to fulfill the general education requirement.

Colorado Christian University (CAGS) Core (9 credit hours)

HUM 114A - New Testament (3)
Other equivalent Biblical Studies courses may be used.
HUM 425A - Personal and Social Ethics (3)
PHL 205A - World Views (3)

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 in a public school.)
Cumulative GPA of 3.0. Nine credit hours must be completed at CCU prior to enrolling in education courses.
Interview with Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Education, Program Director or other education staff designee.
Writing sample completed at time of interview.
All applicants must take and pass the state approved content exam in Elementary Education and submit test results to CCU prior to enrolling in any education core courses. Applicants that 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 provide official transcript of having completed a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited university. The transcript must include at least one course in each of these four areas: English Composition, college math, science and a social science.
One professional letter of recommendation.

Professional Core Requirements (48 credit hours)

Program Completion Requirements

Passing score on the state approved Special Education Generalist content exam.
Completion of a total of 69 credit hours including: general education and liberal arts prerequisites, CCU CAGS courses, and professional core requirements.
A cumulative CCU grade point average of 3.0 or higher on the University’s 4.0 scale.
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.
Completion of a License Completion Application.
Compliance with CAGS residency requirements .
Recommendation by the CAGS Division of Curriculum and Instruction Education Dean for Special Education Generalist Licensing by the Colorado Department of Education.
No outstanding financial obligations to the University.