One alternative pathway to general education elementary and secondary licensure at MSU Denver is the Colorado Department of Education-approved, Alternative Licensure Program (ALP). After being hired by a metro Denver public school district, charter school, or accredited private school, candidates must enroll in the Alternative Licensure Program. The program requires a summer seminar before school starts, weekly classes for two semesters, submission of a portfolio/teacher work sample and extensive ongoing coaching and mentoring throughout the first year of teaching with the opportunity to have a second year of coaching if the Teacher Quality Standards are not met by the student in the first year of the program.
The Alternative Licensure Program is designed to be completed in one school year, during which each candidate will work as both a full-time teacher and full-time student.
The candidate earns 30 credit hours by successfully completing the MSU Denver Alternative Licensure Program courses. By the end of the year, having completed all program requirements, the candidate will be recommended for an initial license by MSU Denver. College credit received for participating in the ALP is not interchangeable with the existing traditional licensure program curriculum and credit. Candidates must successfully complete the entire year to receive any college credit for the program and MSU Denver’s recommendation for licensure.
To participate in the Alternative Licensure Program, all candidates must:
Have an Alternative License from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
AND
Have a full-time teaching job in the same content as the Alternative License in a front range school district or charter school.
To receive an Alternative License, the candidate must:
Submit the alternative license application to the CDE and include transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university, showing a Baccalaureate degree.
Pass a Colorado Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check.
AND
Elementary teachers must pass the Praxis 5903 Elementary Mathematics Education content exam.
ECE teachers must pass the Praxis 5024 Education of Young Children OR the Praxis 5903 Elementary Mathematics Education content exam.
Secondary teachers must either pass the Praxis content test OR have the 24 semester hours of required content specific coursework shown on the transcript(s).
OR
Apply for an Alternative Interim Authorization with the Colorado Department of Education which will allow the student one year to pass the Praxis exam to move to an initial license once completing the program.
Please call or visit the Alternative Licensure Program website for further information about the program.
