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.

For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

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 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).  

Students must meet take the following required Praxis exams or submit for Multiple Measures no later than May 1 prior to their Professional Year. Students must receive a passing score on the exams or be approved for Multiple Measures no later than August 1 prior to their Professional Year.

• #5903 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Mathematics
• #5904 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Social Studies
• #5905 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Science
  (#5903, #5904, #5905 may also be met with #5901 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle)

Students must take the following required Praxis exam no later than August 1 prior to their Professional Year. Students must receive a passing score on the exam no later than January 1 prior to student teaching.

• #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary

If these requirements are not met by the deadlines, the student must meet with the Program Coordinator and Director of Teacher Education to determine pathway options.

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

Additional Resources:

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• Cost of Tuition Estimator
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