Alternative Licensure Program

The alternative teacher pathway is intended to allow districts to hire candidates who already hold at least an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education but have not completed an educator preparation program that includes student teaching. To participate in an alternative licensure program, you will need to demonstrate that you have specific content knowledge in the state-approved area you wish to teach.

The ALP at UCCS is authorized to provide licensure programs in the following areas:  English Language Arts (7-12), Mathematics (6-8 and 7-12), Science (7-12), Social Studies (7-12), and World Language (K-12). Be sure that you can demonstrate content competence in one of the following ways:

• Hold a degree in the endorsement area from a regionally-accredited institution; OR
• Have 24 semester hours in the endorsement area, as outlined within CDE's content evaluation worksheets; OR
• Earn a passing score on the state-approved exam for the endorsement area (usually the Praxis).

If you choose to affiliate with the ALP at UCCS, complete the application online at //www.uccs.edu/admissions/applynow. The ALP is a subplan under the M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction.

Pro Tip:  Prior to applying, create an account with TEACH Colorado. They provide up to $100 fee reimbursement toward application and testing expenses.

Application Process:

Deadline: We admit candidates year-round. The best advice is to apply at least 30 days prior to the start of any semester.  Financial Aid Priority filing date is March 1

• Schedule an admissions and information interview with a faculty member in the Department of Teaching & Learning early in the process. The goal of the appointment is to answer any questions you may have, clarify the procedures for admission, and determine your level of interest in and preparation for the program. Call the Student Resource Office at 719-255-4996 or email them at education@uccs.edu to set up appointments/interviews.
• Complete the online Graduate application found at Apply Now.  Within the application you will need to:
  • Pay the $60.00 application fee.
  • Upload your "Career Goals Statement." This is a 2-3 page essay in which you discuss your motivation for becoming a teacher and outline the assets you can bring to the profession. We are particularly interested in your level of self-awareness, your academic potential, your personal growth experiences and a sense of what you hope to accomplish in your career.
  • Upload your curriculum vitae or professional résumé (please include relevant paid work and volunteer experience where applicable).
  • Complete the tuition classification form.
  • List the name, title/organization, and email of three people who will serve as references for you. The people you identify will be emailed a recommendation form/instructions. *Choose your references carefully. Ideally, one reference should be a former instructor, one should be a current supervisor, and one should be a professional colleague. People who have been in positions to supervise and/or evaluate your human relations skills are often effective references. Do not ask friends or family members who might be biased. Your reference should be able to attest to your ability to successfully complete a graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction and your ability to establish effective interpersonal relationships with others.
• In addition to the above materials that will be submitted with your online application, proof of your background check or proof of licensure can be attached directly to your graduate application when you apply, or you can email the document to gradinfo@uccs.edu. Instructions for completing your background check are:  
  • Go to the website: https://www.cbirecordscheck.com/Index.aspx
    • Click on Individuals
    • $6.85 is the cost to receive the results
    • Print a copy of the background check and turn it in with your admissions materials. (Current CO school or agency employees who completed a background check for employment may provide a copy of their CO license or a copy of the results of the background check for employment.)
• Have one official transcript of all higher education course work ever completed to date (undergraduate and/or graduate GPA must be included on transcripts), sent from the institution you attended directly to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Office of Admissions (electronically or by postal services).
  Postal Services: 
  UCCS Office of Admissions 
  1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
  Colorado Springs CO 80918-3733
  Electronically:
  gradapp@uccs.edu

The ALP at UCCS consists of ten courses.  You may take the first six, known as the ALP Core, before you obtain a teaching position, and we strongly recommend that you do.  Once you find a teaching position, you must complete all ten courses before your Alternative License expires, which is typically in August after your first year of teaching. These ten ALP courses are one pathway to the M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction.  Once you finish the licensure program, you will need only two more courses to complete your M.A. 

It is your responsibility to obtain a teaching position in your endorsement area. When you do, your employer will issue you a contract and a Statement of Assurance (SoA) which must also be signed by the College of Education's licensure official. Through your Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) account, submit these documents to the Colorado Department of Education, and they will issue you an Alternative Teacher license, which is good for 24 months.

Your final step to licensure is to complete an approved alternative licensure program. If you have affiliated with the ALP at UCCS, you must complete all ten courses before your Alternative Teacher License expires.

Coursework for the ALP at UCCS

It is each student's responsibility to make sure that all program requirements and licensure procedures are completed appropriately.  All ALP candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive no grade lower than a B- in any course. Because the ALP Year requires full-time teaching, candidates may not request or receive Incompletes in the ALP Year courses.

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