About the Program
The Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) at UCCS is a “designated agency” approved by the Colorado State Board of Education to provide a one-year program for candidates seeking licensure in one of the following areas:
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Languages
- Computer Science
Focus of Study
The alternative teacher pathway is intended to allow districts to hire candidates who already hold at least an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education but have not completed an educator preparation program that includes student teaching.
To participate in the ALP, you will need to demonstrate that you have specific content knowledge in the state-approved area you wish to teach.
The ALP at UCCS is authorized to provide licensure programs in the following areas: English Language Arts (7-12), Mathematics (6-8 and 7-12), Science (7-12), Social Studies (7-12), and World Language (K-12), Computer Science (K-12). Be sure that you can demonstrate content competence in one of the following ways:
- Hold a degree in the endorsement area from a regionally-accredited institution; or
- Have 24 semester hours in the endorsement area, as outlined within CDE’s content evaluation worksheets;or
- Earn a passing score on the state-approved exam for the endorsement area (usually the Praxis).
Program Requirements
It is each student’s responsibility to make sure that all program requirements and licensure procedures are completed appropriately.
- All ALP candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive no grade lower than a B- in any course.
- Because the ALP Year requires full-time teaching, candidates may not request or receive Incompletes in the ALP Year courses.
Obtaining Your Alternative Teacher License
- Take the first six courses within the program (known as the ALP Core) before applying for a teaching position.
- Find a teaching position in your endorsement area (subject/grade level you want to teach).
- Your employer will provide a contract and a Statement of Assurance (SoA) - both of which must be signed by the College of Education before submitting to the Colorado Department of Education.
- Submit documents to the Colorado Department of Education through the Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) portal to receive your Alternative Teacher License.
- To complete the ALP, complete all ten courses before your Alternative Teacher License expires, which usually happens the August after your first year of teaching.
Program Coursework
The ALP consists of ten courses. Those seeking a Master of Arts (MA) in Curriculum & Instruction need to complete only two more courses within three semesters of completing the ALP.
| Required Courses |
| Core Courses* |
Complete all of the following courses:
|
| Summer Courses* |
Complete all of the following courses:
|
| Fall Courses** |
Complete one of the following courses:
Complete all of the following courses:
|
| Spring Courses** |
Complete all of the following courses:
|
| Additional Coursework for Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction |
To complete a Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction - Complete the following courses within three semesters of completing the ALP:
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*Students may take courses before obtaining a teaching position and are strongly encouraged to do so.
**Students may not take these courses until they have a full-time teaching position.
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