2021-2022 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Initial License Certificate


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The Elementary Initial License Certificate is a program that allows students to earn a certificate from the College of Education and to meet licensure requirements in elementary education. This program includes a one-year intensive combination of methods courses and fieldwork known as the Professional Year. Upon successful completion of the Professional Year, teacher candidates are recommended for teacher licensure from the State of Colorado in elementary education (grades K-6). Undergraduate students seeking a baccalaureate degree from LAS select an approved major and fulfill the requirements for both the BA and licensure. Candidates who have already earned a baccalaureate degree apply for the Licensure Only (post-baccalaureate) option. 

This certificate program leads to an initial teaching license in the State of Colorado. Post-baccalaureate students have the option to take three of the four foundation classes at the graduate level and apply them to an MA in Curriculum & Instruction within a five-year period.

Undergraduates, however, cannot use those credits toward both their BA degree and their MA degree.

There are two separate strands of licensure for both undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students. The course requirements for the two strands differ and are listed on our website.

**Please note: Undergraduates must map their program of study with their academic advisor/LAS advisor prior to consulting with a faculty advisor from the College of Education.

Central Features of Elementary Initial License Certificate

  • Integration of education courses with professional field experiences
  • Over 1000 hours of supervised and mentored field experiences
  • Focus on embracing diversity and social justice throughout coursework and experiences
  • Preparation of teacher candidates with evidence-based pedagogy and best practices through carefully designed methods courses
  • Cohort model situated in partner schools with support from mentor teachers, building liaisons, and university supervisors
  • Set sequence of courses from May to May, commonly known as the Professional Year 

Faculty

  • Katie Anderson-Pence, Ph.D., Program Coordinator of Elementary Education, Assistant Professor
  • Timothy Callahan, M.A., Senior Instructor
  • Grant Clayton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
  • Leslie Grant, Ph.D. Associate Professor
  • Mary Hanson, M.A., Instructor
  • Christi Kasa, Ph.D., Associate Professor
  • Ji Hyun Oh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
  • Kylie Swanson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Foundation Courses


Undergraduate students require 12 credit hours with an additional 3 credits (recommended but not required EDUC 3800)

Post-Baccalaureate students are required to take 15 credit hours (includes EDUC 3800)

Post Baccalaureate Disciplinary Foundation Courses - 28 credits


3 credits are required in US History
3 credits are required in Cultural or Physical Geography
3 credits are required in Political Science
3 credits are required in Economics
4 credits are required in Natural Science
3 credits are required in English Composition
3 credits are required in Public Speaking

Spring Semester (Professional Year)


8 hours per day for 16 weeks, 3 weeks solo; 640 hours total

Traditional Placement Track:

Residency Placement Track:

Additional Information on Licensure


Upon completion of the program, students can apply for an initial teaching license in Elementary Education (grades K-6) from the Colorado Department of Education.

Exam Requirements

In order to receive an initial license or added endorsement students will need to complete the following exam(s):

  • PRAXIS II Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects #5001. Students should plan to take these exams no later than the fall semester before student teaching.
  • A minimum of 2 out of 4 subtests (reading, math, social studies, science) must be passed by July 15 just prior to Professional Year courses.
    All 4 subtests must be passed prior to beginning the final semester of student teaching (IELM 4950 or IELM 4955) or by December 15 - Teacher Candidates will NOT be allowed to student teach unless they have passed this exam.

When registering to take the Praxis exam(s), students need to send their scores to UCCS (4874) and the Colorado Department of Education (7040).

For more information, students should visit: www.ets.org/praxis

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