Elementary Initial License Certificate

Elementary Initial License Undergraduate Certificate

The Elementary Initial License Certificate program allows students to meet licensure requirements in elementary education (grades K-6). This program includes a one-year intensive combination of methods courses and fieldwork known as the Professional Year.

Upon successful completion of the Professional Year, teacher candidates are recommended for initial teacher licensure from the State of Colorado in elementary education (grades K-6).

Complete this certificate either as a post-baccalaureate student or concurrently with a degree in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.

• Integration of education courses with professional field experiences
• Over 1000 hours of supervised and mentored field experiences
• Focus on embracing diversity and social justice throughout coursework and experiences
• Preparation of teacher candidates with evidence-based pedagogy and best practices through carefully designed methods courses
• Cohort model situated in partner schools with support from mentor teachers, building liaisons, and university supervisors
• A set sequence of courses from May to May, commonly known as the Professional Year 

• A minimum of 46 credits must be completed with a cumulative CU grade point average of 2.75.
• All Professional Year courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better.
• UCCS undergraduate students seeking a bachelor's degree outside of the College of Education must fulfill their major requirements in addition to the licensure certificate requirements. Undergraduate students must map their program of study with their academic advisor prior to consulting with a faculty advisor from the College of Education.

Professional Exam Requirements

The Praxis exams measure the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge needed as an educator. Students must pass the state-approved elementary education licensure exams to be recommended for licensure.

Students must receive a passing score on the following exams no later than June 15 prior to their Professional Year (these exam requirements may also be met by taking #5901 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle): 

• #5903 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Mathematics
• #5904 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Social Studies
• #5905 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Science

Students must receive a passing score on the following exam no later than December 15 prior to the student teaching semester:

• #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary

If these requirements are not met by the deadlines, the student must withdraw or defer their Professional Year until the requirements are met.

Content Competency for Licensure

Demonstration of content competency is required for candidates to be recommended for initial licensure. Per CDE policy, candidates for an Initial Teaching license may demonstrate depth of content knowledge through Multiple Measures of Content Competency (MMCC) as established by CDE (HB22-1220). If demonstrating content competency via Multiple Measures, the candidate must provide proof of CDE approval to the College of Education (COE).  

Elementary education teacher candidates are required to take the following Praxis exam or submit for the corresponding MMCC by May 1 prior to their Professional Year.

• 5903: Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Mathematics

Candidates who have not passed this Praxis exam or secured approval for MMCC by August 1 of their Professional Year will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.

Elementary education teacher candidates are also required to take the following Praxis exam by August 1 of their Professional Year. Note: MMCC are not accepted for reading.

• 5205: Teaching Reading: Elementary

Candidates who have not passed Praxis 5205 by January 1 of their Professional Year will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions Details page.

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