Bachelor's to Master's | Education and Human Development

CU Denver’s BA to MA program (BAMA) in Education and Human Development is an expedient option designed to allow CU Denver students to complete both an undergraduate degree in Education and Human Development and a master’s degree in as little as five years. Pursuing an MA early in your career will allow you to deepen your expertise, advance your career goals and position you for leadership in your field. The BAMAs provide graduates with the skills to teach in a social justice framework, work with diverse learners and engage in high quality instruction and assessment. You will save money by completing graduate credits at the undergraduate tuition rate during your senior year that will double count toward your BA and your MA degree credit hours.

What you'll learn

The program starts with our high quality EDHD BA program where students pursue an elementary, early childhood or special education teaching license. It allows students to use up to 9 credits during their final year for both their BA and MA. You will save money by completing graduate credits at the undergraduate tuition rate during your senior year that will count toward your BA and your MA degree credit hours.

These MA options are available in on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats.

Prepares early childhood educators to become specialists in special education to meet the unique educational needs of young children with and without developmental disabilities. This pathway leads to becoming a classroom teacher or a specialist supporting classroom teachers.

Required Courses	Credits
ECED 5060- Working with Families and Communities	3
ECED 5010- Curriculum and Program Development in ECE	3
RSEM 5080- Research in Schools	3
ECED 5040 – Administrative Seminary	3
ECED 5850- Capstone: Early Childhood Education Inquiry	3
Total Credits of Required Courses	15

Choose 2 courses (6 credit hours) from ECE or other subject areas to reach 30 credit minimum required for the MA (please discuss your course selections with your faculty advisor):

1)	3
2)	3
Undergraduate BA Credits applied to MA ECE	9
MA Credits – BAMA students take 21 credits to complete MA	21
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR MA	30

Classes are listed in recommended order. Prerequisites: Please note that a recent Child Development course as well as an Initial Practicum are prerequisites, determined on an individual basis at admissions.

Please note: This program plan does NOT include an endorsement.

Required Courses	Credits
ECED 5060- Working with Families and Communities	3
ECED 5010- Curriculum and Program Development in ECE	3
RSEM 5080- Research in Schools	3
ECED 5850- Capstone: Early Childhood Education Inquiry	3

Choose from of the following courses to reach 30 credit minimum required for the MA
(you may also take courses from other subject areas- please discuss with your faculty advisor):

Select from this list of Courses	Credits
ECED 6100- Medical and Physiological Aspects of Developmental Disabilities	3
ECED 5040- Administrative Seminar	3
ECED 5110- Advanced Infant/Toddler Development	3
ECED 5200- Screening and Assessment of Young Children	3
ECED 5080- Language and Literacy in Young Children	3
ECED 6200- Intervention Strategies	3
ECED 5070- Social Competence and Classroom Supports	3
ECED 5650- Dual Language Learners	3
LRCT Primary Literacy	3
ECED 5311- Equity in Early Childhood Education Leadership	3
ECED 5091- Educators as Social Change Agents	3
ECED 6340 - Messing About with STEM	3
Undergraduate BA Credits applied to MA ECE	9
MA Credits – BAMA students take 21 credits to complete MA	21
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR MA	30

Prepares early childhood educators to meet the unique educational needs of young children with and without developmental disabilities. This pathway will give you an additional credential for professional success. As a special education specialist, you will be prepared to lead an inclusive classroom yourself in a teaching role, or support teachers from within the specialist role.

Nine (9) credits from the ECE EDHD BA program will be applied to this program. Classes are listed in the recommended order of completion. Please note: If you individualize your plan of study, courses may not be offered in the semester you hope to take them.

Prerequisites: Please note that a recent Child Development course as well as an Initial Practicum are prerequisites, determined on an individual basis at admissions.

ALL COURSES ARE REQUIRED

Semester Offered	Course		Credits
Fall	ECED 5010- Curriculum and Program Development in ECE*		3
Spring	ECED 5200- Screening and Assessment of Young Children*		3
Spring	ECED 5080- Language and Literacy in Young Children*		3
Summer	ECED 6100- Medical and Physiological Aspects of Developmental Disabilities*		3
Fall	ECED 6200- Intervention Strategies*		3
Spring	ECED 5070- Social Competence and Classroom Supports*		3
First Fall	ECED 5060- Working with Families and Communities		3
First Summer	ECED 5040- Administrative Seminar		3
All	RSEM 5080- Research in Schools		3
Total of 6 credit hours divided between three practicum levels (minimum 1 credit hour, maximum 3):
All	ECED 6910 Infant and Toddler Practicum
All	ECED 6912 Preschool Practicum
All	ECED 6914 Primary Practicum
	Total Practicum Credits	6
	Total Credits for MA with ECSE Endorsement	33

*Students must complete ECED 5010, 5070, 5080, 5200, 6100, and 6200 prior to enrolling in any practicum course, or have faculty permission to take their first practicum course concurrent to their final prerequisite course.

The Learning Design and Technology (LDT) MA is a unique graduate program. Students combine LDT certificates to create customize paths based on individual learning, professional interests and goals. The LDT MA program may also be completed for an added Teacher Librarian (K-12) endorsement or Instructional Technology Specialist (K-12) endorsement from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

Prepares educators to work with diverse K - 12 students to develop reading, writing, and oral language skills. Graduates gain in-depth knowledge about building on students' languages, abilities, cultures, and real-world experiences to design highly effective and relevant teaching practices.

For the MA in Literacy Education, there are 4 required core courses (12 credit hours). In addition, and in consultation with and approval from your faculty advisor, select 2 courses from the SEHD Thematic Course Categories list to personalize your learning (6 credit hours). Finally, take a research course (3 credits) for a total of 30 credit hours. The Final MA Portfolio is completed in the last semester in lieu of comprehensive exams or thesis. See Faculty Advisor for details and guidance.

This plan might interest teachers in virtually any licensure area – Elementary Education, Social Studies, Special Education, STEM, World Foreign Languages – who want to enhance their students’ learning in reading, writing, and critical thinking.

This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
Core Courses: 3 courses required; 9 credits
Core Course 1	LCRT 5720 Writing Development, Instruction & Assessment*	3
Core Course 2	LCRT 5020 Reading Development, Instruction & Assessment	3
Core Course 3	LCRT 5055 Literacy Assessment & Informed Instruction	3
Core Course 4	LCRT 5810 Oral and Written Language and Literacy	3
Total Core Credits		12
In addition to 9 credit hours from your Professional Year, in consultation with your Faculty Advisor, choose 2 Courses (6 credit hours) from the SEHD Thematic Course Categories list
Professional Year	Credits from Professional Year UG program	9
Elective 1	SEHD Thematic Course	3
Elective 2	SEHD Thematic Course	3
Total Thematic Course Credits		15
Research (required)	RSEM 5080 Research in Schools OR other RSEM course with Advisor Approval	3
COMPS	Portfolio	-
Total Credit Hours		30

*BAMA students in Secondary English licensure will have taken LCRT 5720 as LCRT 4720 in their BA program and should, therefore, take an additional Thematic Course to reach the 30 credit minimum required for the MA.

Prepares educators to work with diverse adolescents in different settings and help them develop an appreciation for literature and writing. The approach integrates many areas of knowledge that underlie effective teaching of English to serve the needs of today's diverse student population, building on students' languages, abilities, cultures, and real-world experiences.

The MA in Literacy with an English Education concentration requires 4 core courses (12 credit hours). In addition, in consultation with and approval from your Faculty Advisor, select 2 elective courses (6 credit hours) from the Department of English. You also complete a research course (3 credit hours), for a total of 30 credit hours. The Final MA Portfolio is completed during the last semester in lieu of comprehensive exams or thesis. See faculty advisor for details and guidance.

This plan might interest BAMA students licensed in Social Studies, Elementary Education, Special Education, World Foreign Language, or STEM content areas.

This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
Core Courses: 3 courses required (9 credit hours)
Core Course 1	LCRT 5200 Theory & Methods of English Education	3
Core Course 2	LCRT 5201 Adolescent Literature	3
Core Course 3	LCRT 5720 Writing Development, Instruction & Assessment	3
Core Course 4	LCRT 5730 Language and Literacy Across the Curriculum	3
Total Core Credits		12
In addition to 9 credit hours from your Professional Year, in consultation with your Faculty Advisor, choose 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the Department of English
Professional Year	Credits from Professional Year UG program	9
Elective 1	ENGL	3
Elective 2	ENGL	3
Total Thematic Course Credits		15
Research (required)	RSEM 5080 Research in Schools OR other RSEM course with Advisor Approval	3
COMPS	Final MA Portfolio	-
Total Credit Hours		30

Prepares educators to work with diverse K - 12 students to develop reading, writing, and oral language skills. This concentration and endorsement enhance literacy instruction skills and credentials and provide advanced knowledge and training to build on students' languages, abilities, cultures, and real-world experiences.

Please note: The Colorado Department of Education requires 2 years of post-license teaching experience and 24 graduate credit hours to apply for the Reading Teacher endorsement.

This plan might interest teachers interested in enhancing their students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills as well as their own leadership goals related to Literacy Education.

This MA plan includes an endorsement.

Courses	Credits	CLAS BA English + SEHD License	BA EDHD ELED, SPED, ECE	BA EDHD Secondary Licensure
LCRT 5810 Oral & Written Language & Literacy	3
LCRT 5020 Reading Development, Instruction & Assessment	3
LCRT 5055 Literacy Assessment & Informed Instruction	3
LCRT 6910 Seminar & Practicum in Literacy & Language	3
LCRT 5710 Primary Literacy for Diverse Learners, PreK-3 OR LCRT 5730 Language & Literacy Across the Curriculum	3		UG BA
LCRT 5720 Writing Development, Instruction & Assessment	3	UG BA
LCRT 5795 Current Children’s Literature OR LCRT 5201 Adolescent Literature (OR LCRT 5750, LCRT 5780, or LCRT 5790)	3	UG BA
Elective	3	UG BA	UG BA	UG BA
RSEM 5080 Research in Schools OR other RSEM course with Advisor Approval	3
LCRT 6915 Seminar & Practicum in Literacy Professional Development	3
Portfolio	-
Credits for MA + Endorsement	30	21	24	27
Credits from BA Program	varies	9	6	3
Total Credit Hours	30	30	30	30

Do you love asking questions about how things work or why things happen, specifically in educational settings? Those of us in this field come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but have the common thread of questioning status quo and striving to explore ‘what works’ in order to improve our educational system.

Our program is very practitioner-focused so you’ll learn quantitative and qualitative methods along with ways to combine these. We have a strong focus on improvement and evaluation of current practices, programs, and policies. If you are interested in this BAMA you would take these classes:

Course #	Course Title	Credits
RSEM 5100	RSEM 5100 Basic Statistics	3
RSEM 5120	RSEM 5120 Introduction to Research Methods	3
RSEM 5110	RSEM 5110 Introduction to Measurement	3
RSEM 7110	RSEM 7110 Intermediate Statistics	3
RSEM 6100	RSEM 6100 Methods of Qualitative Inquiry	3
RSEM 7210	RSEM 7210 Program Evaluation	3
Choose 1:	Practicum, Independent Study, or Thesis	3
Undergrad	Credits from your BA degree	9
	TOTAL	30

These are all online or hybrid courses that will fit around your teaching schedule. All face to face sessions meet either on a Monday-Thursday evening from 5:00-7:45 pm or on a Saturday morning.

Email Courtney.Donovan@ucdenver.edu for more information.

Positions teachers to work successfully in leadership roles in urban and diverse schools and understand the important role mathematics play in students' lives. Graduates help meet the high demand for qualified, effective mathematics teachers. Core courses are fully online. Offered in on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats.

For Math, there are 4 required courses (12 credits hours). In consultation and with approval from your faculty advisor, select 2 courses from the Thematic Course Categories to customize your learning (6 credits). (Nine (9) credits from your UG are counted toward the Thematic Course credit requirements.) For instance, you may want to customize your Thematic Course Categories selections for elementary or secondary. Finally, take a research course (3 credits) for a total of 30 credits.

*This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
Concentration Core; 12 credits required
Core Course 1	MTED 5621: A world of different numbers	3
Core Course 2	MTED 5622: Expanding Conceptions of Algebra	3
Core Course 3	MTED 5623: Geometrical Reasoning	3
Core Course 4	MTED 5301: Assessment & Equity in Mathematics Ed	3
Total Concentration Core		12
Choice of 2 courses from the Thematic Course Categories; 15 total credits required
Course 1		3
Course 2		3
	Credits applied from BA degree	9
Total Thematic Course Categories Credits		15
Research Course	RSEM To be decided by student with their Faculty Advisor	3
Capstone Course	MTED The Capstone is completed in your final core course	0
Total Credit Hours		30 minimum

Positions teachers with expertise in STEM learning and highly effective assessment and teaching practices to effectively guide today's learners. Graduates help meet the demand for qualified math-science teachers and become leading educators at the forefront of this field. Offered in on-campus, hybrid, and fully online formats.

For Math and Science, there are 4 required courses (12 credits hours), two courses from the Math core (6 credit hours) and two courses from the Science core (6 credits hours). In consultation and with approval from your faculty advisor, select 5 courses from the Thematic Course Categories to customize your learning (15 credits). Finally, take a research course (3 credits) for a total of 30 credits.

*This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
Concentration Core; 12 credits required
Core Course 1	SCED xxxx	3
Core Course 2	SCED xxxx	3
Core Course 3	MTED xxxx	3
Core Course 4	MTED xxxx	3
Total Concentration Core		12
Choice of 5 courses from the Thematic Course Categories; 15 credits required
Course 1		3
Course 2		3
Course 3		3
Course 4		3
Course 5		3
Total Thematic Course Categories Credits		15
Concentration Research Course	RSEM XXXX	3
Concentration Capstone Course	SCED or MTED ______ The Capstone is completed in your final core course	0
Total Credit Hours		30 minimum

These MA options are available in on-campus, or hybrid formats.

Develops the knowledge, leadership skills, and classroom practices that support multilingual learners and their families. Graduates help meet the increasing need for knowledge and skills to design effective practices to serve the number of children who speak and learn in multiple languages.

The MA in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) requires 3 core courses (9 credits hours). Three courses (9 credit hours) are applied from the undergraduate professional year. In consultation with your faculty advisor, select 2 electives from the Thematic Course Categories. Finally, take CLDE 6912 as your research course (3 credits) and then complete the Capstone course (3 credits) for a total of 30 credits. This plan is for students who have completed their initial teacher license as an undergraduate student in the SEHD.

This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
Core: 9 credits required
Foundations (choose 1)	CLDE 5010 Foundations of Language and Culture in Education	3
	CLDE 5160 History and Law of Bilingual and Immigrant Education
Language and Linguistics (choose 1)	CLDE 5030 Language Development of Multilingual Learners	3
	CLDE 5070 Advanced Linguistic Analysis of English
Pedagogy (choose 1)	CLDE 5820 Teaching Multilingual Learners: Advanced	3
	CLDE 5825 Methods of Content Teaching for Bilingual Learners
	CLDE 5050 Assessment and Advocacy for Multilingual Learners
Total Concentration Core		9
Choice of 2 courses from the Thematic Course Categories: 15 credits required
Course 1, 2, 3	From your undergraduate Professional Year	9
Course 4		3
Course 5		3
Total Course Inventory Credits		15
Required Final MA Courses: 6 credits (taken at the end of your program)
Research Course	CLDE 6912 Teacher Inquiry in Multilingual Classrooms	3
Capstone	CLDE 5035 Connecting Theory to Practice	3
Total Credits		30 minimum

For more information, please contact: adriana.alvarez@ucdenver.edu

For the MA in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) with the Bilingual Education Specialist (BES) endorsement, there are 3 required courses (9 credit hours). Then, there are 2 required courses for the BES endorsement from the Spanish department (1 pedagogy course and 1 Spanish sociolinguistics course, 6 credits). Three courses (9 credit hours) are applied to the MA from your undergraduate program. Finally, take CLDE 6912 as your research course (3 credits) and then complete the Capstone course (3 credits) for a total of 30 credits.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
CLDE Courses; 9 credits required
Foundations (choose 1)	CLDE 5010 Foundations of Language and Culture in Education CLDE 5160 History and Law of Bilingual and Immigrant Education	3
Language & Linguistics (choose 1)	CLDE 5030 Language Development of Multilingual Learners CLDE 5070 Advanced Linguistic Analysis of English	3
Pedagogy	CLDE 5824 Theories and Methods of Bilingual Education	3
Bilingual Specialist Courses; 6 credits required
Spanish Sociolinguistics (choose 1)	SPAN 5060: Dialectos del mundo hispanohablante SPAN 5020: Spanish sociolinguistics SPAN 5080: Spanish in the United States SPAN 5076: Spanish in Colorado	3
Spanish Pedagogy (choose 1)	SPAN 5980: The Learning and Teaching of Heritage Speakers SPAN 5099: Spanish Classroom Methods and Practice	3
BAMA Credits from UG Professional Year
BAMA coursework	BAMA students - teacher licensure MA classes apply here	9
Final MA Courses
Research Course	CLDE 6912 Teacher Inquiry in Multilingual Classrooms	3
Capstone	CLDE 5035 Connecting Theory to Practice - Capstone to be written in Spanish	3
Total Credits		30

For more information, please contact: adriana.alvarez@ucdenver.edu

Prepares educators to become advocates for multilingual learners in school districts by exploring the opportunities and challenges among Latinx students. Graduates help meet the need for leadership in Colorado and nationwide as the Latinx population grows and the achievement gap for students widens.

Recommendations for endorsements are made by the SEHD, but endorsement is granted by the State of Colorado. Individual state requirements vary and may include teaching experience and examinations in addition to a valid teaching credential. Students should consult with the Colorado Department of Education or another state in which they wish to be endorsed for the most updated endorsement requirements.

This degree plan includes the CLDE endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses: All Required	Credit Hours
BAMA Classes	From Professional Year of undergraduate BA	9
Foundations (2 courses)	Choose one: CLDE 5010 Foundations of Language and Culture in Education OR CLDE 5030 Language Development for Multilingual Learners	3
Foundations (2 courses)	CLDE 5160 History and Law of Bilingual and Immigrant Education	3
Linguistics	CLDE 5070 Advanced Linguistic Analysis of English	3
Pedagogy (2 courses)	Choose one: CLDE 5820 Teaching Multilingual Learners: Advanced OR CLDE 5925 Methods of Content Instruction for Bilingual Learners (taught bilingually)	3
Pedagogy (2 courses)	CLDE 5050 Assessment and Advocacy for Multilingual Learners	3
Research	CLDE 6912 Teacher Inquiry in Multilingual Classrooms	3
Capstone	CLDE 5035 Connecting Theory to Practice	3
	Total Credit Hours	30 minimum

For more information, please contact: adriana.alvarez@ucdenver.edu

Prepares licensed teachers to identify and champion the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities. Graduates are equipped with the most impactful and effective skills for leading inclusive classrooms and collaborating with professionals in the field and the community.

Students in the MA SPED program will choose a core area from the following:

Literacy/Specific Learning Disability: Leadership in support of the systematic literacy development of K-12 learners
Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports/ Leadership in support of the systematic social and emotional development of K-12 learners
Inclusion; or
Secondary Special Education.

In consultation and with approval from your faculty advisor, select 2 courses from the Thematic Course Categories to customize your learning (6 credits). Finally, take a research course (3 credits) and then complete SPED 5401 Advanced Seminar which fulfills the capstone requirement (3 credits) for a total of 30 credits.

This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
Choose One Core Concentration; 9 credits required
SPED Core	SPED ______	3
	SPED ______	3
	SPED ______	3
Total Concentration Core		9
Choice of 5 courses from the Thematic Course Categories; 15 credits required
Course 1	UG BA	3
Course 2	UG BA	3
Course 3	UG BA	3
Course 4		3
Course 5		3
Total Thematic Course Categories Credits		15
Research Course	RSEM 5080 Research for Teachers	3
Capstone Course	SPED 5401 Advanced Seminar in Special Education	3
Total Credit Hours		30 minimum

Area	Prefix	Course Title
Literacy/ SLD	SPED 5740	Intersections of Literacy, Culture, & Exceptionality
	SPED 5780	Literacy Interventions for Exceptional Learners
	SPED 5140	Assessment: Inquiry, Instruction, & Intervention
MTSS/ SED	SPED 5151	Slashing Stigmas: Promoting Positive Behaviors
	SPED 5140	Assessment: Inquiry, Instruction, & Intervention
	SPED 5010	Intentional Interventions for Exceptional Learners
Inclusion	SPED 5000	Universal Design for Learning
	SPED 5300	Family, Professional, and Community Collaboration
	SPED 5140	Assessment: Inquiry, Instruction, & Intervention
Secondary Special Education	SPED 5500	Transition and Secondary Methods in SPED
	LCRT 5029	Developing 21st Century Literacy Curriculum, Gr 4-12
	SPED 5010	Intentional Interventions for Exceptional Learners

Prepares motivated educators to identify and champion the strengths and assets of individuals ages 5 - 21 with differing abilities, including those with identified disabilities. Graduates are equipped with the most impactful and effective skills for leading inclusive classrooms and collaborating with professionals in the field and the community.

The MA in Special Education Generalist with endorsement is designed for currently licensed teachers seeking career advancement and the expertise needed to work effectively with students with special needs and from diverse backgrounds. The program is fully accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and adheres to the professional standards put forth by the Council for Exceptional Children. Recommendations for endorsements are made by the Special Education Program, but endorsement is granted by the State of Colorado. Individual State requirements vary and may include teaching experience and examinations in addition to a valid teaching credential. Students should consult with the Colorado Department of Education or the state in which they wish to be endorsed for the most updated endorsement requirements.

This plan includes an MA and Endorsement.

Courses	Credits
A) Special Education (21-26 hours)
SPED 5030: Frameworks for Understanding (dis)Ability in Contemporary Classrooms (waived if already completed)	3
SPED 5740: Intersections of Literacy, Culture, & Exceptionality	3
SPED 5010: Intentional Interventions for Exceptional Learners	3
SPED 5151: Slashing Stigmas: Promoting Positive Behaviors	3
SPED 5300: Family, Professional, and Community Collaboration	3
SPED 5780: Literacy Intervention for Exceptional Learners	3
SPED 5140: Assessment: Inquiry, Instruction, & Intervention	3
**If required by the Special Education faculty upon admission SPED 5932: Internship & Site Seminar (Approximately 128 Hours or 16 days); SPED 5933: Internship & Site Seminar (Approximately 192 Hours or 24 days)	3
B) Advanced Study (9 hours)
EDHD 5240: Cognition & Instruction OR SPED 5500: Transition and Secondary Issues in Special Education	3
RSEM 5050: Classroom Assessment OR RSEM 5080: Research for Teachers	3
SPED 5401: Advanced Seminar in Special Education	3
Total Credit Hours	30-35

** Based on a comprehensive record review (i.e. teaching experience & classroom placements), SPED 5933: Internship & Site Seminar (Approximately 192 Hours or 24 days) may be required at the discretion of SPED program faculty.

Praxis Exam - 5354 Special Education Core Knowledge & Application must be passed prior to final internship. Please submit test scores to University of Colorado Denver.

Study Guide for this Exam is available through Student Success Center

Prepares licensed practicing teachers to think critically about the nature of science education from a research-oriented perspective. Graduates are positioned to be leaders in their communities and in diverse schools.

For Science, there are 4 required courses (12 credits hours). In consultation and with approval from your faculty advisor, select 2 courses from the Thematic Course Categories to customize your learning (6 credits). (Nine (9) credits from your UG are counted toward the Thematic Course credit requirements.) For instance, you may want to customize your Thematic Course Categories selections for elementary or secondary. Finally, take a research course (3 credits) for a total of 30 credits.

*This degree plan does not include a license or an endorsement.

Degree Components	Courses	Credits
Concentration Core; 12 credits required
Core Course 1	SCED 5340 Equity and Culture in Science Education	3
Core Course 2	SCED 5500 The Nature of Science	3
Core Course 3	SCED 5350 Issues and Trends in Science Education	3
Core Course 4	SCED 6110 Science and Math Curriculum Studies	3
Total Concentration Core		12
Choice of 2 courses from the Thematic Course Categories; 15 credits required
Course 1		3
Course 2		3
	Credits from UG BA	9
Total Thematic Course Categories Credits		15
Research Course	RSEM To be decided by student with their Faculty Advisor	3
Capstone Course	SCED The Capstone is completed in your final core course	0
Total Credit Hours		30 minimum

Courses

A BA to MA program is an uninterrupted enrollment plan that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. A student follows a prescribed BA to MA program plan of study. The typical two to three year time-frame that is required to earn a master’s degree may be decreased to as little as one year from the date a student receives a bachelor’s degree.

During an undergraduate’s senior year, BA to MA students develop a plan with their advisor to take graduate courses within their designated BA degree plan.

Admissions Requirements

Apply for admission into the BA to MA program in the semester you apply for your professional year (senior year.)

Professional year applications are forwarded to faculty for those who have chosen to opt in to the BA to MA option for MA admission decisions.

After admittance, you will begin taking three graduate-level courses in your senior year. Once you complete your bachelor’s degree, you move right into completing your master’s by taking 21 additional credits. If you choose to include an endorsement with your MA, you may need to take more than 21 additional credits to receive the MA and an endorsement. If you require additional time, you have up to seven years to complete your master’s degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Undergrad tuition rate is $434 per credit minus COF ($94), which means you pay $340/credit for the graduate classes during your professional year.
MA tuition rate is $388/credit.
BA-MA Value: Taking 3 courses at the graduate level while paying the undergraduate tuition rate saves you $432!

_{*Based on 2020-2021 tuition rates.}

You may already have had courses that are ‘cross-listed’ and include MA students. The vast majority of the course is the same because we have to meet state licensure standards, no matter if students are taking them at UG or Grad level.
There are different expectations for MA students. These are generally things like drawing on more resources for a paper, a slightly longer paper, one extra assignment, different grading criteria, etc.

BAMA Requirements for 5000 Level Professional Year Courses

LCRT 5000: Elementary Literacy Instruction & Assessment PK-2 (ECE, ELEM, SPED)

BAMA students create a mock professional development plan that focuses on Writing Inquiry Assessment and Instruction for Linguistically Diverse Elementary students. The plan should include: 1) 5 effective practices in writing assessments for linguistically diverse elementary students based on research; 2) 5 effective writing instructional practices for linguistically diverse elementary students based on research; and 3) a handout of shared practices.

LCRT 5100: Secondary Literacy Assessment & Instruction (ENG, MSMath, MATH, SCI, SOCST)

BAMA students create a digital presentation in which they review two literacy support programs appropriate for adolescent learners who perform below grade level.

SPED 5140: Assessment, Inquiry, Instruction, & Intervention (SPED)

BAMA students complete additional readings, plus additional tasks on two assignments. They will formally review two standardized diagnostic assessments instead of one (for Assessment Reviews assignment), attending to additional concepts in the review. They will also complete and they will complete seven short case study responses, instead of four (for RTI Units assignment).

STME 5051: Capstone (MSMath, MATH, SCI)

BAMA students complete a Lesson Analysis paper exploring (a) tasks/problems/activities will you use to foster their advance, (b) describing which STEM concept a student would need prior to engaging in the lesson, and (c) describe a problem you will use to assess if your learner did, in fact, gain understanding of the STEM related concepts.

STME 5001: Planning for Learning in STEM (MSMath, MATH, SCI)

BAMA students complete The 10 Challenges of Planning for Learning Assignment. In this assignment, students create a narrative that connects the 4 themes of the course to the broader conversation of what it means to Teach in STEM. Students complete a series of blogs that are connected to these 10 Challenges.

UEDU 5040: Planning for Learning (ECE*, ELEM, ENG, SOCST, SPED)

BAMA students complete an assignment where they observe, analyze and write an educational plan for a bilingual student. This assignment is an opportunity to apply the planning, assessment, learning theories, and CREDE standards that are a part of the course.

UEDU 5050: Capstone (ECE and ELEM)

BAMA students complete an additional six-page paper reflecting on the importance of providing language supports and their forms and functions for bilingual learners. This is embedded in the planning section of the capstone task.

UEDU 5052: Capstone (ENG, SOCST)

BAMA students read an additional book related to pedagogy in their content area and present to the class on key takeaways from that resource that would be useful to their colleagues.

*ECE students may substitute ECED 5010: Inquiry and the Discipline

Financial benefits - Most school districts have a pay scale that factors in graduate courses and Masters’ degrees in a financial bump, so your salary will increase with grad credits and an MA.
Professional advantages – When you leave our program, you will be an excellent beginning teacher! After a year or two you will want to deepen your expertise.
Cost savings – the 3 courses you will take at the graduate level in your final year are actually cheaper. Also, because they double dip for both your BA and your MA, you already have 9* credits in a 30* credit Masters’ program so you don’t pay MA tuition costs for 9* credits (3* courses).

You can change your mind! For instance, if you declare you are interested in a literacy MA today and change your mind a year from now and want to have a Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences MA, this will not be a problem. The best time to change your mind is before you start different classes in the MA.

Just talk to an advisor in Academic Services who could help you make the change (again, best before you start taking the other MA course).

Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development

You can trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare you for excellence in your career. We have a name that is recognized for preparing leaders of excellence who value equal opportunities in education. Additionally, CU Denver’s School of Education and Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.

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School of Education & Human Development

Education and Human Development - BA to MA

What you'll learn

These MA options are available in on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats.

These MA options are available in on-campus, or hybrid formats.

Courses

Admissions Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

BAMA Requirements for 5000 Level Professional Year Courses

Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development

School of Education & Human Development

Education and Human Development - BA to MA

What you'll learn

These MA options are available in on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats.

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education for ECE BA Grads

Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education Specialist (Endorsement)

Learning Design & Technology

Literacy Education

Literacy Education, English Education

Literacy Education, Reading and Writing, Reading Teacher (Endorsement)

Research and Evaluation Methods

STEM Education, Math

STEM Education, Math-Science

These MA options are available in on-campus, or hybrid formats.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, Bilingual Education Specialist (Endorsement)

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, K-12 (Endorsement)

Special Education

Special Education, Generalist (Endorsement)

STEM Education, Science

Courses

Admissions Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tuition* for MA courses?

What will I need to do as a BA student in the MA courses?

How long does it take to complete the MA?

How many credits is an MA?

Why should I apply for the BA to MA?

Can I use my financial aid?

What if I change my mind about the MA I want to take?

Do I have to start my MA right away?

Who will be my advisor?

When are MA courses offered and in what format? Can I complete the MA online?

If I opt into the BA-MA, would I still graduate with my BA and participate in the BA commencement ceremony?

Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development

School of Education & Human Development