Alternative Licensure Programs
Program Options: Alternative Licensure or Alternative Licensure Special Education Generalist
Alternative Teacher Licensure programs at Colorado Christian University are designed for people who hold a teaching position in a Colorado school and wish to become licensed teachers. The program allows candidates with a bachelor's degree to become teachers in Colorado without completing a traditional education program. Candidates learn the key elements of effective instruction, create lessons based on Colorado state academic standards, and learn about progress monitoring to support student achievement.
Every candidate is assigned a CCU field coach and school mentor who provides supervised coaching in the classroom and supports them throughout the program. The combination of classroom teaching and graduate coursework may lead to an institutional recommendation for an initial teaching license, the standard entry-level license for Colorado Educators.
The Colorado Department of Education requires that students pursuing teaching licensure in Colorado earn a degree from an accredited college or university and complete an approved educator preparation program.
Graduates of the Alternative Licensure program can earn a teaching license in two semesters (nine months). Upon completion of the program, they will have earned 15 credit hours of graduate coursework that is part of the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, and may continue on to complete their entire master's degree with only 21 remaining credits.
Graduates of the Alternative Licensure Special Education Generalist can earn a teaching license in three semesters (12 months). Upon completion, they will have earned 28 credit hours of graduate coursework in the Master of Education in Special Education, and may continue on to complete their entire master's degree with only 15 remaining credits.
- Courses are typically completed in five-week blocks
- Graduates meet the requirements for certification by the Association of Christian Schools International
- Students can transfer up to 3 graduate-level credit hours from an accredited college or university
- Colorado Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Master's Degrees and Programs: Curriculum and Instruction, M.A., Special Education, M.Ed.
Admission to CCU's Alternative Licensure Programs
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and goals, and strength of professional disposition qualities. Each applicant is carefully evaluated for his or her ability to contribute to the program. A strong desire to complete graduate-level work in a Christ-centered, biblically based community is important.
Application Deadlines
You can enter the Alternative Licensure program once per academic year. You should complete the admission process as early as possible so you will have adequate time to work with an advisor and qualify for financial aid.
Application for Alternative License
- Candidates must have a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited university.
- Complete a Colorado Department of Education background check
- Apply and be hired for an Alternative Licensure teaching position in Colorado.
- Complete Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requirements for demonstrating competency in the subject area; this information can be found on the CDE website
- Complete your admission application to Colorado Christian University. (See below.)
- Apply to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) for your alternative license.
CCU Admission Requirements
- Complete the graduate admission application online.
- Submit your résumé or Curriculum Vitae through the online application process.
- Submit an official transcript that reflects a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 will be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester. CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.
- Complete an admission interview with Alternative Licensure program personnel.
To submit application-related materials that were not already submitted through the online application, email items to: AdmissionsSupport@securemail.ccu.edu
or mail items to:
Colorado Christian University
Attn: Registration Services/CAGS Transcripts
8787 W. Alameda Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80228
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Colorado Christian University offers several academic programs which lead to professional licensure in the state of Colorado and, in some programs, prepare students for a national exam. All students should be aware that states vary in their educational and professional requirements depending on the profession. Some states require specific educational requirements, clinical requirements, accreditation requirements, or exam requirements. See professional licensure disclosures for details.
State Exclusions for Online Students
Colorado Christian University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to be in compliance with state laws regarding where we can offer distance and/or online education. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University offers courses to online students in all states with some exceptions for specific academic programs.