Secondary Teacher Licensure Programs

Initial Application Process

Individuals who wish to pursue a secondary teaching license in English Language Arts, Social Studies, or World Languages 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.edu to 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 "Secondary Initial Licensure Certificate (Grades 7-12)."

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
  1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
  Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Teacher Education Core Coursework

The following requirements may be met by completion of transcripted coursework.

English Language Arts Content Core Coursework (21 credits)

• Literature (9 credits)
  American Literature, British Literature, World Literature, Young Adult Literature, Gender/Ethnic Literature, Traditional Literature, Poetry, etc.
• Written and Digital Communication (9 credits)
  Linguistics, Composition, Grammar, Syntax, Theatre, Film, Multimedia, etc.
• Oral Communication (3 credits)
  Public Speaking, Debate, Interpersonal Communication, etc.

Social Studies Content Core Coursework (21 credits)

• US History (3 credits)
• World History (3 credits)
• Cultural Geography (3 credits)
  Socio-cultural, Religions, etc.
• Physical Geography (3 credits)
  Environmental Systems, Regional Climate, Vegetation, Landforms, etc.
• Political Science (3 credits)
  US Government, Comparative Governments, Local Government, etc.
• Economics (3 credits)
  Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Global Economics, etc.
• Behavioral/Social Sciences (3 credits)
  Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, etc.

World Languages Content Core Coursework (24 credits)

• World Language (12 credits)
  Phonology, Conversation, Listening, Linguistics, Grammar, Composition, etc.
• Literature (6 credits)
  In the World Language
• Culture (6 credits)
  Of World Language, Region, Customs and Lifestyle of Native Speakers

Education Core Coursework (all content areas; 15 credits)

All education core classes must be completed with a grade of B- or better. If taken at the 5000-level, post-baccalaureate students may apply up to 9 credits of these courses toward a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction at UCCS.

• EDUC 2000 or CURR 5005: Intro to Educational Psychology (3 credits)
• EDUC 2700 or CURR 5004: Schools, Society, and Diversity (3 credits)
• EDUC 3800 or CURR 5700: ESL for Educators (3 credits)
• EDUC 3900: Early Diverse School Experience (3 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 TED 3010.
• SPED 3001 or SPED 5001: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)

In the State of Colorado, at the undergraduate level, one must complete a content major along with fulfilling secondary teacher licensure requirements. UCCS students may choose to major in Biochemistry*, Biology*, Chemistry*, Engineering Education*, English, History, Mathematics*, Physics*, or Spanish as a content major.

*Mathematics and Sciences majors should coordinate with UCCSTeach to obtain licensure.

All teacher education core classes must be completed with a grade of B- or better.

• EDUC 2000 or CURR 5005: Intro to Educational Psychology (3 credits)
• EDUC 2700 or CURR 5004: Schools, Society, and Diversity (3 credits)
• EDUC 3800 or CURR 5700: ESL for Educators (3 credits)
  (Note: this course not required for undergrads, but highly recommended)
• EDUC 3900: Early Diverse School Experience (3 credits*)
  *each credit hour requires 30 volunteer hours in a local school
• SPED 3001 or SPED 5001: Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)

Requirements 

The Professional Year is the capstone experience for UCCS teacher candidates.  To be eligible, students must complete all prerequisite education courses with a B- or better, maintain a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.75, and achieve a passing score on their content-area Praxis test.   

To qualify for a Professional Year placement, secondary candidates must demonstrate their preparedness through EDUC 3994. This course involves: 

• Statement of Professional Goals  

• Professional Resume  

• Dispositional Self-Assessment  

• Mentor Teacher / University Supervisor Dispositional Assessment[s]  

• Professional Year Interview  

• Documentation of conference with COE Advisor  

• Praxis Score Report  

• DEI Statement  

• Letter of Introduction

For questions regarding the Professional Year process, please contact the Dr. Daniel G. DeCelles at ddecelle@uccs.edu or the COE Student Resource Office: 719-255-4996 or education@uccs.edu

Additional Requirements

As of October 1, 2016, a passing score on the appropriate Praxis content exam is an admission requirement for the Professional Year. Applicants must have received a passing score by July 15 of the Professional Year. If this requirement is not met by the deadline, the student must withdraw or defer their admission until it is met.

• Secondary English Language Arts: #5038
• Secondary Social Studies: #5081
• World Language (French): #5174
• World Language (German): #5183
• World Language (Latin): #5601
• World Language (Mandarin Chinese): #5665
• World Language (Spanish): #5195

Summer

• EDUC 4600 Secondary Classroom Management (3 credits)
• EDUC 4720 Teaching Reading and Writing in Content Areas (3 credits)

Fall

• EDUC 4740 Differentiating Instruction for Secondary Teachers (3 credits)
• EDUC 4790 Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Evaluation (3 credits)
• EDUC 4810 Secondary English Methods (3 credits) OR
  EDUC 4840 Secondary Social Studies Methods (3 credits) OR
  EDUC 4850 Secondary World Language Methods (3 credits)
• EDUC 4900 School Experience – Secondary (3 credits)

Spring

• EDUC 4950 Student Teaching (12 credits)