General Elementary Teacher Licensure Programs

Initial Application Process

Individuals who wish to pursue an elementary teaching license and who have already earned a Bachelor degree in a field other than education, may apply for this program. Prior to applying to the post-baccalaureate program, prospective students should meet with a College of Education Faculty Mentor to determine level of interest in and preparation for the program. In this meeting, the faculty mentor will also answer questions about the program and clarify the procedures for admission. Call 719-255-4996 or email education@uccs.eduto schedule an appointment.

To apply for the elementary initial licensure certificate, go here, then scroll down to the link for "Undergrad non-degree seeking". On the first page of the application, select "Education and Licensure Programs" under program. Then on the second page, under "Education and Licensure Programs Plan", select "Elementary Initial Licensure Certificate (Grades K-6)."

The following materials must be submitted as part of the online initial application:

• Goal statement (i.e., your reasons for wanting to pursue a teaching license)
• Bursar’s Office receipt of payment for $50.00 application fee
• Official transcripts of all academic work completed to date (any academic work completed at UCCS does not require submission of a transcript); sent from the institution you attended directly (electronically or by postal service) to:
  UCCS-Office of Admissions and Records
  1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
  Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Looking for Application Support?

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Teacher Education Core Coursework

Content Core Coursework (28 credits)

The following requirements may be met by completion of transcripted coursework or with a passing score on the Praxis #5901 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle and #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary exams.

• US History (3 credits)
• US Government (3 credits)
• Economics (3 credits)
• World Geography (3 credits)
• English Composition (3 credits)
• Science (4 credits, 1 lab)
• Public Speaking (3 credits)
• Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (6 credits; requires grade of B- or better)

Education Core Coursework (15 credits)

If taken at the 5000-level, post-baccalaureate students may apply up to 9 credits of these courses toward a Masters degree in Curriculum & Instruction at UCCS.

• EDUC 2000 or CURR 5005: Educational Psychology (3 credits)
• EDUC 2700 or CURR 5004: Schools, Society, & Diversity (3 credits)
• EDUC 3800 or CURR 5700: ESL for Educators (3 credits)
• SPED 3001 or SPED 5001: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
• EDUC 3900: Early Diverse School Experience (2 credits*)
  *each credit hour requires 30 volunteer hours in a local school; applicants with extensive experience teaching and working in a school setting may petition to waive a maximum of 1 credit of EDUC 3900.
• EDUC 3992: Introduction to Professional Year - Elementary (1 credit)

In the State of Colorado, at the undergraduate level, one may complete a content major along with fulfilling elementary licensure requirements. If not pursuing the Bachelors degree in Inclusive Elementary Education, UCCS students may choose to major in Biology, English, Geography, History or Spanish as a content major.

• EDUC 2000: Educational Psychology (3 credits)
• EDUC 2700: Schools, Society, & Diversity (3 credits)
• EDUC 3800: ESL for Educators (3 credits)
  (Note: this course not required for undergrads, but highly recommended)
• EDUC 3900: Early Diverse School Experience (2 credits*)
  *each credit hour requires 30 volunteer hours in a local school
• EDUC 3992: Introduction to Professional Year (1 credit)
• MATH 3010: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I (3 credits)
• MATH 3020: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II (3 credits)
• SPED 3001: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)

Placement Criteria

To be approved for Professional Year placement, applicants should have:

• Met with a College of Education Faculty Advisor (all applicants) and an Academic Advisor in Main Hall (undergrads only)
• Completed or have a plan for completing all Teacher Education Core Coursework prior to the Professional Year
• Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
• Successfully completed a background check per College of Education requirements

Request Process

Submit all materials online no later than February 1 prior to beginning the Professional Year summer coursework.

The following materials must be submitted as part of the online Request for Professional Year Placement:

• Career Goals statement based on provided writing prompts
• Resume with a focus on work with children or youth
• Three professional letters of recommendation

Upon submission of all materials, you will be scheduled to interview with the Department of Teaching & Learning faculty as the final step in the Professional Year application process.

For questions regarding this process, please contact the COE Student Resource Office: 719-255-4996 or education@uccs.edu

Professional Exam Requirement

Passing scores on the state-required Praxis exams for an elementary teaching license are an admission requirement for the elementary Professional Year (#5901 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle and #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary). Students may opt to take the each sub-section of the three-subject bundle separately (#5903, #5904, #5905, respectively). Students must have passed at least TWO of the four subjects (Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science) by July 15 of their Professional Year in order to continue to the Fall semester. Students must have passed all FOUR sub-sections by December 31 in order to continue to the Spring semester of the Professional Year. If this requirement is not met by the deadline, the student must withdraw or defer their Professional Year until it is met.

Students may opt to take the each sub-section separately (#5002, #5003, #5004, #5005, respectively). Students must have passed at least TWO of the four #5001 sub-sections (Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science) by July 15 of their Professional Year in order to continue to the Fall semester. Students must have passed all FOUR sub-sections by December 31 in order to continue to the Spring semester of the Professional Year. If this requirement is not met by the deadline, the student must withdraw or defer their Professional Year until it is met.

Summer

• IECE 4010 Literacy Development, Instruction, & Interventions, K-3  (3 credits)
• EDUC 4100 Elementary Curriculum Instruction & Classroom Management (3 credits)

Fall

• IELM 4015 Teaching Reading & Writing Grades 2–6 (3 credits)
• IELM 4025 Teaching Elementary Mathematics (3 credits)
• IELM 4035 Teaching Elementary Science (3 credits)
• IELM 4045 Teaching Elementary Social Studies (3 credits)
• IELM 4900 Field Placement III - Elementary (3 credits)

Spring

• IELM 4950 Student Teaching (12 credits)