Colorado Christian University offers an Alternative Teacher License in Special Education 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 28 credit hours of graduate coursework which is a part of the program degree. 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 the Colorado State Board of Education approved elementary content exam (Praxis-5901)

  • Candidates must obtain a special education teaching position in a Colorado private or public school

  • Click here for CDE’s Alternative licensing application requirements

Master’s Degree

Upon successful completion of the Alternative Licensing Program: Special Education Generalist, candidates may elect to apply 28 credit hours towards a program degree by submitting a Change of Program form.