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Graduate Teacher Education
Where future leaders learn from the best.
Are you considering obtaining a teaching licensure at the graduate or postbac level through CU Denver? We have two great one-year options for you to explore.
MAT + Teaching Licensure
Graduate Teacher Licensure
If you want a gradual introduction to classroom teaching alongside skilled mentor teachers, this is the right path for you. The MAT + Teaching Licensure incorporates an opportunity to earn an advanced degree with Colorado teacher credential
requirements and take courses with top faculty members and peers. The experience provides extended clinical internships at local schools where you take on increasing responsibility in the classroom.
Explore our MAT offerings below!
ASPIRE to Teach™
Alternative Licensure Program
Our ASPIRE alternative licensure program is a quick start program that allows you to start earning a salary right away as the teacher of record in a classroom. This program does not culminate in an MA, but it is lower in cost, fully online, and flexible. While you teach full time, teaching modules are completed around your schedule and our amazing ASPIRE faculty support and coach you in regular one-on-one online sessions. After completing the ASPIRE program you can complete a masters degree. Part of your ASPIRE program will transfer in.
Learn more about ASPIRE
MAT + Teaching License
A master teacher is made, not born.
If you feel a passion to teach and are driven to make a positive impact on students’ lives, this is the program that lets you launch your new career in as little as a year while delivering a level of preparation that puts you ahead. Learning from dedicated teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven through 25 years of ongoing work with partner schools make our program – and our graduates – stand out.
Why should I choose this option?
This MAT + teaching license program is a full-time program. Candidates progress as a member of a cohort that begins in either summer or fall. The teacher licensure coursework combines on-campus learning with in-school experiences.
Our residencies deliver deeper learning because we've been working with our partner schools for over 25 years.
Our graduates' level of preparedness is equivalent to that of a more experienced and confident teacher. That's because at CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development, you don't just learn from anyone, you learn from the best. Further, because of our urban location and emphasis on teaching in diverse contexts, our graduates are ready to lead – and make a difference – in any classroom.
As one of the top education schools in the country, we're proud to help people like you become teachers.
You'll be surrounded by other committed, talented students who are determined to make a positive impact in the classroom. They are drawn to our program because they want a deeper level of preparedness –one that will allow them to give their best to every student, every day.
Launch your new teaching career quickly.
Our program offers different start times and program lengths in order to accommodate your personal obligations. In fact, it's possible to complete our program in as little as one year.
Master of Arts in Teaching, World Languages, French (License)
School of Education & Human Development
Overview
Degree: MA License
Classroom Type: On campus
Prepares individuals in as little as a year to teach French in diverse middle and high school classrooms. Features a residency program perfected and proven through almost 30 years of ongoing work with partner schools. Graduates expand students' world views and language development.
Application deadlines
Summer Semester: February 15
Fall Semester: June 30
Program Details
Interest Categories: Education & Counseling
Campus: CU Denver
CU Denver’s MA in Teaching (MAT) with World Languages – French (7-12) teaching license expertly prepares students to teach French in diverse middle and high school classrooms in as little as a year. This pathway prepares foreign language teachers who will expand students' worldviews, language development, interpretation skills, and creative thinking. Learning from dedicated teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven through almost 30 years of ongoing work with partner schools makes the program – and graduates – stand out. Student’s will leave the program highly qualified and well-prepared to support and understand the potential of their students.
In this concentration students will:
- Learn to plan assessment-informed instruction for educational excellence and equity for all children from diverse racial, ethnic, language, socioeconomic and ability backgrounds.
- Develop a deep understanding of the diverse ways children learn and develop within their families and communities and in schools, and gain skills to bring a relevant and engaging curriculum to their standards-based teaching.
- Learn methods and practices of teaching modern languages.
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, World Languages French (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.
Launch a New Teaching Career Quickly
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
- UEDU 5040 - Planning for Learning 3 credits
- MLNG 5690 - Curriculum & Methods in Foreign Language 3 credits
Recommended Completion Time:18 months
Required Credits for Completion:39
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.
I love helping my students explore real-world scientific questions to develop their thinking around scientific topics. It’s all about inquiry! Whether we’re learning to embrace the advantages of wind power, participating in NASA’s Student Involvement Program or tracking recycling and energy conservation efforts at our school, I like to create hands-on, cooperative science learning environments that help my students think in new ways. - Chantel Astler, MA + Teacher Licensure and recipient of the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching