Alternative License (CAGS)

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Colorado Christian University offers an Alternative Teacher License program as authorized by the Colorado Department of Education. 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 . The combination of classroom teaching and graduate coursework may lead to an institutional recommendation for an initial teaching license, the standard entry-level license for Colorado Educators.

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 pass CBI and FBI criminal history background checks.
Candidates must pass the Colorado State Board of Education approved elementary content exam (Praxis-5901) to teach at the elementary level. Candidates for K-12 or secondary (7-12) endorsements must take and pass the state-approved content exam in the area(s) designated or by transcript verification indicating completion of 24 semester hours of college-level coursework meeting the minimum requirements as outlined in the content evaluation worksheets.
Candidates must obtain a teaching position in a Colorado private or public school.
Click here for CDE’s Alternative licensing application requirements.

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 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 grade of 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.