Elementary Initial License Undergraduate Certificate

Elementary Initial License

Undergraduate Certificate

Course Delivery

On Campus, Online, Hybrid

Total Credits

46 - 49 Credits

About the Program

El Pomar Clock Tower on UCCS Campus
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.


Focus of Study

  • 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 

Program Requirements

  • 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.

Program Coursework

  Courses

Foundation Courses
13-15 Credit Hours

  • EDUC 1000: Introduction to Inclusive Education or SPED 5001: Foundations of Special Education 
  • EDUC 2000: Intro to Educational Psychology or CURR 5005: Educational Psychology 
  • EDUC 2700: Schools, Society, and Diversity or CURR 5004: Schools, Society, and Diversity 
  • EDUC 3800: ESL for Educators or CURR 5750: ESL for Educators (Recommended)
  • EDUC 3900: Early School Diversity Practicum 
  • EDUC 3992: Introduction to Professional Year - Elementary (Must be taken the semester prior to the Professional Year)

Professional Year Courses
33 Credit Hours

  • EDUC 4100: Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Classroom Management
  • IECE 4010: Literacy Development, Instruction and Interventions, K-3
  • IELM 4015: Teaching Reading and Writing, Grades 2-6
  • IELM 4025: Teaching Elementary Mathematics
  • IELM 4035: Teaching Elementary Science
  • IELM 4045: Teaching Elementary Social Studies
  • IELM 4900: Field Placement III - Elementary or IELM 4905: Residency Field Placement III - Elementary
  • IELM 4950: Student Teaching - Elementary or IELM 4955: Residency Student Teaching - Elementary


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


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.


Admission Details

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

Additional Resources: