In order to receive a teaching license within the “Centennial State,” students will be required to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree from one of the top teaching colleges in Colorado and pass a series of certification tests. Not only does Colorado offer the opportunity to earn a teaching degree while nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains and surrounded by thrilling outdoor recreational activities, but it also provides a vibrant blend of cultures for increasing multiculturalism within the classroom. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 32% of the over 854,000 students in Colorado’s public and private school systems are Hispanic. Since there are currently only around 48,000 full-time teachers employed across the state, the following are the top teaching colleges that are addressing the growing demand for qualified educators in Colorado.
Adams State University
Department of Teacher Education
Within Colorado’s first university to be federally designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), the Department of Teacher Education at Adams State University is well-known for being the regional education provider of southern Colorado for enhancing the learning opportunities of underserved populations. At the undergraduate and graduate levels, the Department is committed to prepare knowledgeable K-12 professionals for facilitating learning for all students, especially those living in rural communities.
Undergraduate Programs
• B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood Education (non-licensure)
• B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies with Elementary Licensure and Literacy Emphasis
• B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies with K-12 Licensure and Special Education Generalist Endorsement
• B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies with Secondary Licensure (with major areas in Biology, Business, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish, or Theatre)
Graduate Programs
• M.A. in Education with Alternative Teaching License and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Endorsement (Boettcher Teacher Residency Program)
• M.A. in Education – Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
• M.A. in Education – Curriculum and Instruction
• M.A. in Education – Reading Teacher
• M.A. in Special Education (Generalist)
Accreditations
Teacher Education Accrediting Council (TEAC)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
208 Edgemont Blvd. Suite 3050
Alamosa, CO 81101
(719) 587-7776
teachered@adams.edu
https://www.adams.edu/academics/ted/
Colorado Christian University
School of Education
At the foot of the Rockies, the School of Education at Colorado Christian University offers professional degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to equip students with the essential skills needed to join the next generation of teachers in both public schools and private Christian schools. With the only Christ-centered educational model in Colorado, the School has earned a reputation for producing strong educator-leaders who are committed to exploring their role as Christians in teaching diverse children.
Undergraduate Programs
• B.A. in English – Secondary Education Licensure
• B.A. in History – Secondary Education Licensure
• B.A. in Liberal Arts – Early Childhood Education Licensure
• B.A. in Liberal Arts – Elementary Education Licensure
• B.A. in Liberal Arts – Special Education Generalist K-12
• B.M. in Music Education (with concentrations in Choral, Instrumental, or General Music)
• B.S. in General Science – Secondary Education Licensure
Graduate Programs
• Corporate Education Certificate
• Instructional Technology Certificate
• M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction (with paths in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education Generalist, or Alternative Licensing Education)
• Online Course Developer Certificate
• Online Teaching and Learning Certificate
• Post-Baccalaureate Early Childhood Education Licensure
• Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Education Licensure
• Post-Baccalaureate Special Education Licensure
Accreditations
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
8787 West Alameda Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80226
(303) 963-3147
dscheffel@ccu.edu
http://www.ccu.edu/education/programs/
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
School of Education
Within the College of Health and Human Sciences at CSU Fort Collins, the School of Education has the mission of using leadership effectively in teaching, research, and engagement in order to encourage prospective educators to become professionally competent community members. Not only is the SOE named the 92nd best graduate education school in the nation, but it is also acclaimed for having the 75th best online education degrees for graduate students in America by the U.S. News and World Report.
Undergraduate Teaching Endorsement Areas
• Early Childhood Education PreK-3
• K-12 Education (with majors in Art, Foreign Languages, Instructional Technology, or Music)
• Secondary Education 7-12 (with majors in Agricultural Education, Business Education, English, Family and Consumer Studies, Marketing Education, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Speech, or Technology Education)
Master’s Degree Programs
• M.Ed. Adult Education and Training
• M.Ed. Counseling and Career Development
• M.Ed. Education Sciences (with endorsements in Early Childhood Education or Secondary Education)
• M.Ed. Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change
• M.S. Student Affairs in Higher Education
Doctoral Degree Programs
• Ph.D. Education Sciences
• Ph.D. Higher Education Leadership
• Ph.D. Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change
• Ph.D. School Leadership (with Principal licensure)
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
209 Education Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970) 491-6317
soeinfo@colostate.edu
http://soe.chhs.colostate.edu/school/index.aspx
Metropolitan State University of Denver
School of Education
As a comprehensive bachelor’s and master’s degree-granting urban institution with a commitment for diversity, Metropolitan State University of Denver houses all of its teacher preparation programs within its School of Education. Building upon the university’s liberal arts foundation, the School is devoted to providing diverse future teachers with the opportunity to learn from highly qualified educators and experienced teacher practitioners in one of the largest education programs in Colorado.
Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Programs
• Early Childhood Education (with majors in Human Development or Speech Language and Hearing Sciences)
• Elementary Education (with majors in Biology, Chicano Studies, English, History, Human Development, Mathematics, Modern Languages, or Speech Language and Hearing Sciences)
• K-12 Education (with majors in Art Education, Modern Languages, Music Education, or Human Performance/Physical Education)
• Secondary Education (with majors in Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Environmental Science, African American Studies, Chicano Studies, Economics, History, or Political Science)
• Special Education (offered with concentrations in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Linguistically Diverse Education, or Secondary Education)
Master’s Degree Programs
• Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
890 Auraria Parkway
Campus Box 21
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 556-6228
ehinde@msudenver.edu
https://www.msudenver.edu/ted/
Regis University
School of Education and Counseling
Within the 29th best regional college in the West, the Regis School of Education and Counseling has been nationally acclaimed by the U.S. News and World Report for offering the 61st best online graduate education programs in the entire United States. As the fourth largest teacher preparation program in the state, the School works collaboratively with school districts across Colorado and Wyoming to implement a wide variety of in-service training programs that support future educators’ development of essential teaching strategies for the 21st century.
Undergraduate Degree
• B.A. Elementary Education with Initial Licensure
Graduate Degrees
• M.Ed. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• M.Ed. Early Childhood-Special Education
• M.Ed. Elementary Education
• M.Ed. Exceptional Child Generalist
• M.Ed. Instructional Technology
• M.Ed. Principal Licensure
• M.Ed. Reading Specialist
• M.Ed. Secondary Education (in the endorsement areas of Business, English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies)
• M.Ed. Special Education Generalist
• M.S. Adult Education and Training
Graduate Certificates
• Adult Education and Training
• Autism Education
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Integrating Technology in the Classroom
• Literacy Education
• School Executive Leadership
Accreditations
Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3333 Regis Boulevard
Denver, CO 80221
(303) 458-4126
joakes@regis.edu
http://www.regis.edu/CPS/Schools/School-of-Education-and-Counseling.aspx
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Division of Art Education
Established with the goal of producing exceptional educators and curriculum developers to influence the next generations of artists to come, the Division of Art Education at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is focused on developing technical artistic skills while learning how to effectively teach others to create artworks. With approval by the NASAD and the Colorado Department of Education, the program fulfills licensure requirements with a total of 800 hours spent in Denver-area art classrooms.
Teacher Preparation Programs
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Art Education – with a Specialization in Painting, Illustration, Sculpture, Photography, or Video Art
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education, Leadership, and Emerging Technologies
Accreditations
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1600 Pierce Street
Lakewood, CO 80214
(303) 753-6046
kdulaney@rmcad.edu
http://www.rmcad.edu/academics/art-education
University of Colorado – Boulder
School of Education
Standing proudly in a lively college town against the majestic backdrop of the Rockies, the School of Education at UC Boulder is highly regarded for being the 29th best graduate education school in the entire country by the U.S. News and World Report. Renowned for being one of only 32 departments nationwide to become a partner in the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate for advancing American doctoral education, the School goes beyond simply preparing outstanding teachers to drive new models of K-20 education in collaborative research.
Teacher Licensure Programs
• Elementary Education (K-6)
• Music Education (K-12)
• Secondary English/Language Arts (7-12)
• Secondary Mathematics (7-12)
• Secondary Science (7-12)
• Secondary Social Studies (7-12)
• Secondary World Languages (7-12) – French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish
Master’s Degree Programs
• M.A. in Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Education
• M.A. in Cultural and Linguistic Diversity/Special Education
• M.A. in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity
• M.A. in Educational Foundations, Policy, and Practice
• M.A. in Educational Psychology and Learning Sciences
• M.A. in Humanities Education
• M.A. in Literacy Education
• M.A. in Math and Science Education
• M.A. in Secondary Education (with licensure in English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies)
Doctoral Degree Programs
• Ph.D. in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity
• Ph.D. in Educational Foundations, Policy, and Practice
• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Learning Sciences
• Ph.D. in Literacy Studies
• Ph.D. in Math and Science Education
• Ph.D. in Research and Evaluation Methodology
• Ph.D. in Research on Teaching and Teacher Education
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1134 Colorado 93
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 492-6937
edadvise@colorado.edu
http://www.colorado.edu/education/
University of Colorado – Denver
School of Education and Human Development
Currently ranked as the 98th best education school with the 29th best online graduate education programs in America by the U.S. News and World Report, the School of Education and Human Development at UC Denver has an illustrious history that spans four decades in advancing careers in teaching, counseling, administration, and research. In fact, the School has also been recognized as one of only five teacher education programs across the nation that provides year-long student placements in partnering school districts for enhanced teaching experience.
Undergraduate Programs
• B.A. in Teaching, Learning and Development (with tracks offered in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Human Development and Family Relations, or Special Education)
• Secondary Education Licensure Program (for majors in English, French, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, or Spanish)
Master’s Degree Programs
• M.A. in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies with Principal License
• M.A. in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (ESL)
• M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction
• M.A. in Early Childhood Education
• M.A. in Educational Psychology
• M.A. in Information and Learning Technologies (with concentrations in eLearning Design and Implementation, Instructional Design and Adult Learning, School Library and Instructional Leadership, or K-12 Teaching)
• M.A. in School Counseling
• M.A. in Special Education
• M.S.Ed. in Mathematics Education
Doctoral Degree Programs
• Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity (with concentrations in Executive Leadership, Early Childhood Education/Special Education, Mathematics Education, Professional Learning and Technology, Science Education, or Urban Ecologies)
• Ph.D. in Educational Studies and Research
• Psy.D. in School Psychology
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1380 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 352-3862
dorothy.garrison-wade@ucdenver.edu
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/SchoolOfEducation/Academics/Pages/Academic-Programs.aspx
University of Northern Colorado
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Recently awarded the “Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education” by the American Association for State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado prepares among the largest number of educators in the United States. With a faculty-student ratio of 1:21 to create meaningful connections in the path towards success as a teacher, educational leader, or behavioral scientist, the CEBS is currently named as the 126th best graduate education school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report.
Undergraduate Programs
• Early Childhood Education Licensure (PreK-3)
• Interdisciplinary Studies Elementary Teaching (K-6)
• K-12 Professional Teacher Education – Art, Music, Physical Education, or Special Education
• Secondary Professional Teacher Education (7-12)
Master’s Degree Programs
• M.A. Deaf/Hard of Hearing Specialist
• M.A. Early Childhood Special Education
• M.A. Educational Leadership
• M.A. Educational Technology
• M.A. Gifted and Talented Education
• M.A. Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership
• M.A. School Library Education
• M.A. Special Education
• M.A. Reading
• M.A. Visual Impairment Specialist
• M.A.T. Curriculum Studies
• M.A.T. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (ESL)
• M.A.T. English Education
• M.A.T. Teaching American Sign Language
Doctoral Degree Programs
• Ed.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
• Ed.D. Educational Studies (Online)
• Ph.D. Educational Technology
• Ph.D. Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
501 20th Street
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-2817
lynette.kerrigan@unco.edu
http://www.unco.edu/cebs/academicprograms.html
Pursuing a teaching degree can be a smart move for undergraduate or graduate students who are interested in encouraging children to dream big, giving unconditional love, inspiring generations of change, and igniting the spark of learning. If you are native Coloradan or are planning to study in the “Rocky Mountain Empire,” then make sure you contact some of these top teaching colleges in Colorado to find the perfect program match that fits your chosen pathway towards positively impacting the future of our world.
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