Alert: The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025.
The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025. The Health Center is operating in a modified capacity. Call 303-615-9999 for appointment information during operating hours. Reminder, the Health Center is closed for the winter break Dec. 24 - Jan. 1.
Learn More
Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education Generalist (License)
School of Education & Human Development
Overview
Degree: MA License
Classroom Type: On campus
Prepares individuals to instruct students of varying abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, using an assets-based approach. Graduates are equipped to identify and champion the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities.
Application​ deadlines
Fall Semester
Priority: April 1
Final: June 30
Program Details
Interest Categories: Education & Counseling Social & Behavioral Sciences
Campus: CU Denver
Accreditation: Colorado Department of Education (CDE), The Council for Exceptional Children
University of Colorado Denver’s MA in Teaching (MAT) with Special Education Generalist (5 - 21) teaching license prepares graduates to instruct students of differing abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. This program may be completed in as little as two years. Students of this program feel passionate about identifying and championing the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities. CU Denver has the program to help students meet this critical need. Students prepare individuals to instruct students of varying abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, using an assets-based approach. Graduates are equipped to identify and champion the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities.
Students learn from dedicated school-based teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven across almost 30 years. This program’s focus on inclusive classrooms and an assets-based approach will prepare gradates to support student’s success.
The program’s goal is to help students have a transformative impact on learning, creativity, and achievement, while also supporting graduates as innovators in school and professional networks. The program recognizes the urgent need for outstanding special education teachers in districts across the country. In addition, this program all about preparing the finest!
Students in this concentration will:
- Learn to be the special education professional that schools seek and children deserve.
- Feel equipped with the most impactful and effective skills for leading inclusive classrooms and collaborating with professionals in the field and the community.
- Prepare to become effective advocates for children and families who are seeking quality education for students.
- Learn with a strengths-based approach to teaching that will prepare them to understand the strengths of every child in every family.
- Promote educational excellence and equity for all children from diverse racial, ethnic, language, socio-economic and ability backgrounds.
Choose CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development
As one of the top education schools in the country, the program is proud to help students become teachers. At CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development, students are surrounded by other committed, talented students who are determined to make a positive impact in the classroom. They are drawn to the program because they want a deeper level of preparedness –one that will support their development as culturally competent individuals and teachers, light a fire for social justice, and allow them to give their best to every student, every day. The School of Education & Human Development is consistently ranked as a top graduate school and “best online” experience by U.S. News & World Report. The program matches students’ passion for teaching with an education that is rooted in diversity, technology, proven approaches, and real-world practice. That’s why the program’s graduates are prepared to make immediate and life-long impacts on people, communities, and the world.
Why the Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education Generalist (License) program at CU Denver?
Proven and Perfected Residency Program
The program’s graduates tout a level of preparedness equivalent to that of a more experienced and confident teacher. At CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development, students don't just learn from anyone, they learn from the best. Because of the emphasis on teaching in diverse contexts, graduates are ready to lead – and make a difference – in any classroom with any population of students
Join One of the Top Education Schools in the Country
Students are be surrounded by other committed, talented students who are determined to make a positive impact in the classroom. They are drawn to the program because they want a deeper level of preparedness –one that will allow them to give their best to every student, every day with a focus on social justice for all.
Launch Your New Teaching Career Quickly
The program offers different start times and program lengths to accommodate students’ obligations. It's possible to complete the program in as little as one year.
Earn up to $40,000 in Stipends and Grants
School of Education & Human Development staff will work with students to qualify and access existing state and federal dollars to help pay for the three-semester MAT program. The program’s advisors help students determine if full funding is possible. Learn from dedicated school-based teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven across almost 30 years. This program’s focus on inclusive classrooms and an assets-based approach will prepare graduates to support student’s success.
Sample Courses
- EDFN 5010 - Social Foundations & Cultural Diversity in Urban Ed 3 credits
- SPED 5780 - Literacy Interventions in Special Education 3 credits
- SPED 5151 - Slashing Stigmas: Promoting Positive Behavior 3 credits
Recommended Completion Time:2 years
Required Credits for Completion:51
Admission Requirements
Important steps to take before beginning the application process
Due to the rigorous nature of teacher preparation as guided by state and national accreditation standards, pre-planning steps are necessary before applying to the Teaching program. Please note that these steps must be taken and more time may be needed in order to meet specific deadlines. Phone or in person appointments with the department advisor are highly recommended in order to determine the best time for applicants to apply.
- Complete a transcript evaluation for content knowledge from your bachelor and/or masters. We must ensure that all candidates have appropriate and sufficient content knowledge related to the content they are planning to teach aligned with their identified teacher licensure area.
- Complete any outstanding prerequisite content courses that are needed per the transcript evaluation. You can still be taking courses in the term that you apply - courses must be finished by the time you start the program.
- Pass the Praxis Subject Assessment: To start your student teaching experience and obtain your license, you must pass a state-mandated content knowledge exam. We no longer require you to submit test results with your graduate application. Admitted students will receive additional instructions regarding these exams upon admission.
Contact us to learn more about the application process at 303-315-6300 or education@ucdenver.edu.
Application requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Candidates with a cumulative GPA below a 3.0 will be considered for provisional admission based on the overall strength of other required admission criteria.
- 3 recommendation letters: Please provide your recommenders with the following guidelines to use when writing their letter:
- As you write the recommendation letter for this applicant, please address the candidate’s knowledge and skills as they relate to collaboration with others, self-initiative, time management/organization, professionalism/maturity, and their overall potential to be an effective teacher working in diverse schools and communities.
- Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume/CV
- Short Constructed Response Essays
- Attend an admissions interview. All individuals who submitted a complete application will receive an email with the interview invitation that contains all details approximately one week before the scheduled interview. During this group interview, prospective students participate in highly interactive group discussions and activities to further assess each applicant's readiness as well as aid in internship placement
- International Applicants only: Proof of English Language Proficiency (International applicants should review the following information regarding English language proficiency.)
Application Support
Our friends at TEACH Colorado have free tools and resources to make applying to our program—and becoming a classroom teacher—easier! Create an account today and immediately access:
- An interactive application checklist to keep you on track.
- $100 fee reimbursement towards application and testing expenses.
- 1-on-1 expert advice for any question along the way.
- How-to guides for eligibility, applications, testing and finances.
- A chance to win a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition.
For more information, please contact:
School of Education & Human Development
Office of Recruitment and Outreach
education@ucdenver.edu
303.315.6300
Additional Information
We welcome applications from motivated individuals who have bachelor's degrees and a strong passion for education.