Alternative Licensure Programs (ALP)

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Teacher in Residence Program (TiR)

One alternative pathway to elementary and secondary licensure at Metro State is the Colorado Department of Education approved, two-year Teacher in Residence (TiR) program. After being hired by a participating metro Denver school district, TiR candidates must enroll in the TiR program. The program requires an intensive orientation before school starts, weekly classes for two semesters, submission of a portfolio/teacher work sample and extensive ongoing coaching and mentoring throughout the first two years of teaching.

TiR candidates earn 30 semester credit hours by participating in intensive coursework through weekly instruction designed to build the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively teach and successfully manage a classroom along with classroom mentoring and coaching by master teachers and TiR faculty. By the end of the second year, having completed all program requirements, the candidate will be recommended by the participating school district for an initial teacher’s license. College credit received for participation in TiR is not interchangeable with the existing traditional licensure program curriculum and credit.

To participate in the TiR program, all candidates must:

Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education and 30 semester hours in the appropriate content area preparation as evaluated by the hiring district;
Pass the appropriate Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Educators (PLACE) or PRAXIS II content exam prior to admission to the TiR program;

To participate in the TiR program, the hiring district must:

Complete a transcript review to verify content qualifications
Submit a TiR Authorization Application to Colorado Department of Education, which includes a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check.

The TiR program is operated out of the Metro South Extended Campus offices at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Suite 100. Call 303-721-1313 for more information about the program or visit the website, www.mscd.edu/~tir.

Year 1:

Required Courses:

TIR 4491 - Teacher in Residence: Educational Theory and Methods

Total: 30

Year 2:

By the conclusion of the second year, the participating school district will recommend to the Colorado State Department of Education that the TiR teacher licensure candidate be granted an initial license to teach if the Colorado Performance Based Standards have been satisfactorily demonstrated at the proficient level during the second year. Continual demonstration of proficiency of the standards will be accomplished through each district’s induction program, work with a building mentor, support from a coach, completion of a portfolio/teacher work sample and successful evaluation from the building principal.

Colorado Accelerated Special Education Licensure (CASEL)

The Colorado Accelerated Special Education Licensure (CASEL) Program is a Teacher in Residence (TiR) program that provides an alternative pathway to K-12 licensure as a special education generalist. Courses required for this program are the same as those required for the post-baccalaureate licensure program for special education generalist.

To enroll in the CASEL program, candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, meet the Colorado Department of Education requirements for undergraduate coursework in general studies for elementary education licensure, pass the Elementary Education content test (PLACE 01 or PRAXIS 10014) and secure a special education teaching position with one of the participating metro-area school districts. The program requires a two-week orientation before school begins, weekly classes for 4 semesters, and a 4-week practicum during the summer between years one and two.

Alternative Licensure Program (ALP)

Metro State offers a third alternative pathway to elementary and secondary licensure. This Colorado Department of Education approved, one-year Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) has been created to assist candidates with at least 3 years of contractual instructional experience. This program is based on the Colorado Performance-Based Standards for teachers, but requirements are tailor-made for each candidate through the development of an Individualized Training Plan crafted by an analysis of each candidate’s admission portfolio and participation in the initial training module. As the designated agency, Metro State will serve candidates hired by participating districts to teach in one of their schools accordingly; the ALP candidate must enroll in the AL Program at Metro State. The AL 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 15 credit hours by attending Metro State seminar courses. Additionally, each candidate is responsible for completing the individualized training plan (ITP) in one year. By the end of the year, having completed all program requirements, the candidate will be recommended for an initial license by Metro State. 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 Metro State’s recommendation for licensure.

To participate in the one year Alternative Licensure Program, all candidates must:

Hold a current Statement of Eligibility (SOE) issued by the Colorado Department of Education.
Verify three years of contractual instructional teaching experience in their content area.
Have a contract with one of the participating metro Denver school districts in the content area of the SOE.

The AL Program is operated out of Metro South Extended Campus offices at 5660 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Suite 100. Please call 303 721-1313 for further information about the program or visit the website: www.mscd.edu/~tir.