Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Secondary Education Licensure


Professional Secondary Education Licensure:


The Secondary Licensure Program prepares candidates to teach content-area courses in grades 7-12. Through the sequence of courses and field experiences, the candidate satisfies all of Colorado’s performance-based standards for licensure in Secondary Education. Degree seeking Secondary Education Licensure candidates must choose from one of the following approved majors in order to complete a licensure program in Secondary Education.

Majors with Secondary Education Licensure

English
Mathematics
Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Science)
Social Studies (African and African American Studies, Chicano Studies, Economics, History, or Political Science)

The requirements of each major (with the appropriate concentration) are designed to ensure that the program meets Colorado Licensure Standards and prepares candidates to pass the corresponding licensure content examination and to teach to the Colorado Model Content Standards in their discipline. All secondary licensure candidates must consult two advisors, one in secondary education and one in their major/content area.

Candidates seeking teacher licensure must gain admission to the Teacher Education Program. The application form for the program must be completed by attending an Application Meeting scheduled through the Teacher Application Center (WC 136). Formal admission must be obtained BEFORE Methods coursework or Level II Education coursework can be taken and provisional admission must be obtained before any field experience placement will be made. Refer to the Provisional and Formal Admission section of this Catalog for more information about the necessary process.

General Studies Requirements:


Content area knowledge for secondary education is provided by the student’s major, the additional required content courses, and by the specific general studies requirements listed below. In most cases the courses listed below may be applied toward MSU Denver’s General Studies requirements. The footnotes contain information about the exceptions.

A student’s major program may have some specific General Studies requirements/restrictions that must also be met to complete the baccalaureate degree. Students should consult with an advisor in their major about specific General Studies requirements.

General Studies Required Courses:


General Studies Total: 27-33


Note:


*Natural science, economics, and mathematics secondary licensure candidates must consult an advisor in Secondary Education for the General Studies Quantitative Literacy requirements.

**Included in their General Studies courses, students must select one that satisfies the Global Diversity requirement.

Secondary Education Licensure Sequence:


Content area knowledge for secondary education is provided by the student’s major, the additional required content courses, and by the specific general studies requirements listed below. In most cases the courses listed below may be applied toward MSU Denver’s General Studies requirements. The footnotes contain information about the exceptions.

A student’s major program may have some specific General Studies requirements/restrictions that must also be met to complete the baccalaureate degree. Students should consult with an advisor in their major about specific General Studies requirements.

Licensure Total: 34-35 (not including content area Methods courses)


Notes:


All secondary licensure candidates must also take methods of teaching and field experience in the content area, in addition to these licensure requirements.

Majors with Secondary Education Licensure:


Candidates who wish to obtain Colorado Licensure in Secondary Education must earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in an approved content major. Candidates must choose a major from the following selections in order to fulfill licensure requirements for MSU Denver and the State of Colorado. Secondary licensure candidates must consult an advisor in their selected major as well as one in Secondary Education.

Post-baccalaureate candidates may need to fulfill some general studies requirements and complete additional content area courses. See the Post-Baccalaureate information at the end of the Secondary Licensure section.

English Major with Secondary Licensure:


The secondary education concentration in English, offered in conjunction with the licensure program, prepares degree seeking, future secondary teachers of English to understand and teach the diverse subject matter required for licensure. This program equips students with a wide variety of language principles and skills; practical experience in developing and teaching the processes of writing; sound knowledge of approaches to literature and literary genres; periods and authors (including a special focus on young adult literature); and an understanding of communication and media as used in English studies. In addition to meeting specified state and departmental requirements, this program offers students the opportunity to develop further specialization in writing, language, or literature to complement the major. The major provides student with a background in the Colorado K-12 Model Content Standards for English and prepares them to pass the required content exam for licensure.

English Major with Secondary Licensure


Composition Core Total: 6

Language Linguistics Core Total: 6

Literature Core Total: 15

Teaching Core Total: 9

English Electives:

Three upper-division English courses, at least two of which must be literature courses, selected in consultation with and approved by a designated English advisor.

English Electives Total: 9

Totals:


Major Total
45
General Studies Total
33
Licensure Total
34-35
General Electives
7-8
Grand Total 120

 

Mathematics Major with Secondary Licensure:


The Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences offers a major in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in Mathematics Education. The goals of this program are to provide degree-seeking candidates with: (1) broad-based and coherent preparation in the various disciplines that constitute the mathematical sciences and; (2) the pedagogical knowledge of mathematics needed to begin a career as a middle or high school mathematics teacher. This concentration also prepares candidates for continued study of the mathematical sciences at the graduate level. Candidates are required to meet with one or more of the faculty advisors in the area of mathematics education as well as a teacher licensure advisor as they plan their academic program. The mathematics major with Mathematics education concentration requires completion of the courses listed below, and satisfaction of the minimum grade and currency requirements stated below. Any of the courses required for the major that were taken more than ten years ago will need to be repeated unless currency of knowledge in the concepts of the course can be demonstrated.

Subtotal: 15

Subtotal: 22

Notes:

*MTH 3130 and one of the following (MTH 4110 or MTH 4150 or MTH 4410 or MTH 4660) may substitute for MTH 3140.

Subtotal: 4

Subtotal: 9

Note:

*These two courses must be taken concurrently.

Totals:


Major Total 41
General Studies Total
30
Licensure Total
33-34
Additional Licensure Requirements
9
Electives 6-7
Grand Total * 120

*Choosing substitutions for MTH 3140 will increase total from 120 to 122-124 for the degree.

The General Studies Quantitative Literacy requirements are waived for students with a major or minor in Mathematics. See an advisor.

EDS 3130 and EDS 3150 are not counted in General Studies for this major.

Majors with Secondary Education Science Licensure:


Biology Major with Secondary Science Licensure:


Candidates who wish to obtain Colorado licensure for Secondary Science Education with a major in Biology must earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Included in the requirements for the Biology major with a concentration in Secondary Science teaching is a core curriculum designed to ensure that the Biology education program meets the Colorado Science Licensure Standards and addresses the objectives of the Science content area examination. The core curriculum adds a firm foundation in Physics, Chemistry, Earth-Space Science, Environmental Science, and Mathematics. The Colorado K-12 Model Content Science Standards are strongly emphasized in the curriculum. The core curriculum is supported by the depth of the major in Biology. Science Licensure candidates must declare their major with the appropriate concentration in Secondary Science Licensure.

Biology Total: 37

Additional Content Course Requirements for Science Licensure:


Physics Total: 10

Chemistry Total: 10

Earth Space Science Total: 7-12

Note:

*GEL 1010 (General Geology) and MTR 2400 (Introduction to Atmospheric Science) may be taken instead of GEG 1100; however, this increases total hours by 5 hours.

Mathematics Total: 4

Totals:

Major Total with Secondary Science Licensure
68-72
General Studies Total
21
Licensure Total
33-34
Grand Total
124-125


General Studies Exception in Biology Secondary Education:


Biology licensure candidates will not have to take MTH 1610 if they take both MTH 1400 and an approved statistics course. See an advisor in Secondary Education.

Chemistry Major with Secondary Science Licensure:


Degree seeking candidates who wish to obtain Colorado licensure for Secondary Science Education with a major in Chemistry must earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Included in the requirements for the Chemistry major with a concentration in Secondary Science teaching is a core curriculum designed to ensure that the Chemistry education program meets the Colorado Science Licensure Standards and addresses the objectives of the General Science content area examination. The core curriculum adds a firm foundation in Biology, Physics, Earth-Space Science, Environmental Science, and Mathematics. The Colorado Model Content Science Standards are strongly emphasized within the curriculum. The core curriculum is supported by the depth of the major in Chemistry. Science Licensure candidates must declare their major with the appropriate concentration in Secondary Science Licensure.

Required Courses:


Total Chemistry courses: 41

Additional Content Course Requirements for Science Licensure:

Mathematics:

Mathematics Total: 4

Physics Total:10

Biology Total: 8

Earth Space Science Total: 7-12

Note:

*GEL 1010-4 (General Geology) and MTR 2400-4 (Introduction to Atmospheric Science) may be taken instead of GEG 1100; however, this increases total hours by 5 hours.

Environmental Science Total: 3

Totals:


Major Total with Science Licensure 73-78
General Studies Total 18
Licensure Total 33
Grand Total 124-129

 

Environmental Science Major with Secondary Science Licensure:


Degree seeking candidates who wish to obtain Colorado licensure for Secondary Science Licensure with a major in Environmental Science must earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The interdisciplinary requirements for the Environmental Science major with a concentration in Secondary Science is designed to ensure that the Environmental Science education program meets the Colorado Science Licensure Standards and addresses the objectives of the Science content area examination. The core curriculum provides a firm foundation in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth-Space Science, and Mathematics. The Colorado Model Content Standards for Science are also strongly emphasized within the curriculum. Science Licensure candidates must declare their major with the appropriate concentration in Secondary Science Licensure.

Environmental Science: 60

Note:

*Course has prerequisites of GEG 1220 and CSS 1010

Additional Requirements for Secondary Science Licensure:


Mathematics:

 Course fulfills General Studies Quantitative Literacy requirement.

Mathematics Total: 4

Physics:

Courses fulfill General Studies Natural and Physical Sciences requirement.

Physics Total: 10

Totals:


Major Total with Secondary Education Licensure
74
General Studies Total
18
Licensure Total
33-34
Grand Total
125-126


Majors with Social Studies Licensure:


Candidates who wish to obtain Colorado Licensure for Secondary Social Studies must earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in one of the following disciplines: History, Political Science, Economics, Chicano Studies, or African American Studies. In addition to course requirements in the major, all Social Studies licensure candidates must complete a core curriculum that provides a foundation in History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, and Behavioral Science and prepares them to pass the appropriate Social Studies Content examination. The core curriculum is supported by courses in the major. Social Studies Licensure candidates must declare their major with the appropriate concentration in Secondary Social Studies Licensure.

(See an advisor for General Studies Social Science exemptions.)

African American Studies Major with Secondary Social Studies Licensure:


The African American Studies major will provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of African heritage in this country through examination of African links; the contributions of African American people in the growth and development of the United States; African American community, culture, lifestyles, political activity, religious development, community service and resource assistance; as well as the prognosis and potential for social change.

Required Courses:


Additional Course Requirements for Secondary Social Studies:


Additional Licensure Requirement for Secondary Social Sciences:


Totals:


Total for Major with Secondary Licensure Requirements
63
General Studies Total
24
Licensure Total
34-35
Grand Total
121-122


Chicano Studies Major with Secondary Social Studies Licensure


The Chicana/o Studies Department offers this concentration which prepares students to become social studies teachers in secondary schools. The requirements include core courses in Chicano Studies, a sequence in history and additional courses in social studies. Students seeking teacher licensure should stay in regular contact with the advisor and the education advisor to assure the proper course progression.

Chicano Studies Required Courses Total: 30

Additional Course Requirements for Secondary Social Studies:


Additional Licensure Requirement for Secondary Social Sciences:


Totals:


Major Requirements with Secondary Licensure
66
General Studies Total
24
Licensure Total
33
Grand Total
123

Economics Major with Secondary Social Studies Licensure:


In addition to the required Social Science core the Economics major includes advanced courses in Economics, Econometrics, and History of Economic Thought.

Economics Core Total: 21-22

Electives:


Electives Total required: 12

Additional Course Requirements for Secondary Social Studies:


Additional Licensure Requirement for Secondary Social Sciences:


Totals:


Major total with Secondary Licensure
66-67
General Studies Total
25
Licensure Total (Includes HIS 4010)
34-35
Grand Total
125-126

History Major with Secondary Social Studies Licensure:




Students majoring in History must select either a General Concentration or a Secondary Education Concentration. The General Concentration requires the completion of a minor in a discipline other than History. The Secondary Education Concentration is for students seeking licensure to teach secondary school social studies. In lieu of a minor, these students must take specific social science courses and Secondary Education courses that are listed under Secondary Education in this Catalog.

Course Requirements for All History Majors

Both major concentrations require a minimum of 42 semester hours in history courses, including 15 semester hours of core courses. All students should check with a departmental advisor to make a proper selection of courses. A grade of “D-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students majoring in history must have at least a 2.0 average in their history courses to graduate. Students seeking teaching licensure should consult the Secondary Education section of the catalog for grade and GPA requirements.

General Studies Requirements for History Majors

History majors must take three extra credits in either Arts and Humanities, Natural and Physical Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences I or II instead of three credits in the General Studies Historical category. The selected General Studies course may not have the HIS prefix or be crosslisted with a course with the HIS prefix.

Secondary Education Concentration


Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in History with recommendation for Secondary Social Studies Licensure should select the Secondary Education Concentration within the History Major. Students in this program are required to complete the following requirements. Teacher licensure candidates are also required to take other specific courses listed under Teacher Education in this Catalog.

Elective Courses


In addition to the required courses, students must take 27 semester hours in history selected in consultation with a history advisor.  At least 18 of the 27 semester hours must be upper-division (3000- or 4000-level) courses.  Included in those hours must be at least three semester hours in American History (HIS 3400-3699), three semester hours in European History (HIS 3100-3399), and three semester hours in World History (HIS 3700-3799).  The minimum total number of semester hours in the History Major is 42. The department strongly encourages all majors in the Secondary Education Concentration to take HIS 3000-Historical Writing and Thinking and HIS 3720-Themes in World History.

Subtotal: 27 credits

Additional Course Requirements for Secondary Social Studies Licensure


Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in History with recommendation for Secondary Social Studies Licensure must complete the following coursework in anthropology, economics, geography, and political science in addition to the major requirements.

Summary of Requirements


History Major with Secondary Education Concentration 66 credits
General Studies Requirements 33 credits*
Licensure Requirements 34-35 credits
History Major with Licensure Total 124-125 credits

*Students may apply 9 credits from the licensure coursework to satisfy general studies requirements in the social and behavioral sciences.

 

Political Science Major with Secondary Social Studies Licensure:


Degree seeking students who wish to obtain Colorado Licensure for Secondary Social Studies with a major in Political Science must earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. In addition to course requirements in the major, all Social Studies licensure candidates must complete a core curriculum that provides a foundation in History, Geography, Economics, and Behavioral Science and addresses the objectives of the content area examination. The core curriculum is supported by courses in the major. The Political Science major will take courses in political theory, political analysis, and coursework in American or international/comparative political systems.

Political Science Core Total: 15

Political Science Electives:


(at least 18 hours upper division)

Political Science Electives Total: 21

Political Science Courses Total: 36

Additional Course Requirements for Political Science major with Secondary Social Studies Licensure:


Additional Licensure Requirement for Secondary Social Sciences:


Totals:


Major with Secondary License Total
66
General Studies Total
24
Licensure Total
34-35
Grand Total
124-125