How to Apply

Please click on the Application Form here to start your application. Please note that you need a teaching contract in an Alternatively Licensable content area.

The ASPIRE program has rolling admissions with six application windows from late summer to early spring, plus a February window for Special Education candidates. Application windows are based on timing and enrollment capacity. Applications are processed in the order that they are received, and incomplete applications are not processed.

You will receive a confirmation email with your uploads link in 1-2 business days after the completion of the ASPIRE application (Background Info Form). Applications missing required application documents will be inactivated after 14 business days. DO NOT submit a duplicate application (doing so will delay processing). Submit your missing documents to reactivate your application.

Resume

All applicants are required to submit a resume.

Please include:

• Professional certificates

• Educational degrees

• Professional experiences

• Relevant awards, publications, presentations, & achievements

Contract/Letter of Offer

All applicants must submit a 2025/2026 Contract or Letter of Offer for a teacher of record position in your endorsement area that specifies "Teacher of Record" position and matches the content area for which you are applying for license. Your contract or letter of offer must be signed and dated by you and your current employer. It will also need to verify current employment of 51% or more in your endorsement area.

Transcripts

All applicants are required to submit their official degree-conferred transcript from your undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) programs.

Praxis Exam Results/CDE Transcript Review Verification Results/Matching Degree

All applicants must submit evidence they meet the CDE competency requirements for their eligible endorsement area.
Please review the worksheet for your content area and submit one of the following:

1. Official Praxis Score reports.

1. CDE Transcript Review Verification Results – CDE confirmation email the candidate is approved to participate in an alternative program in their endorsement area

1. BA or higher in the endorsement area – not available for all endorsements, must match CDE worksheet

ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION candidates: Starting 9/1/2025 the CDE is only requiring the Math 5903 exam to achieve highly qualified status and earn an Alternative License. Because of this, we are allowing Elementary and Special Education candidates to enroll on an Interim Authorization starting 5/5/2025 as long we they can provide proof they have passed the 5903 subtest. Starting 07/20/2025, we will allow candidates to enroll on an Interim Authorization if they provide a receipt that they are registered to take the 5903 PRAXIS exam within 21 days of submitting their ASPIRE application.

Interim Authorizations will not be offered to any K-12 or Secondary endorsement area.

Important Information: Sending us your Praxis Exam Scores

• When you sign up to take your Praxis exam, please mark to send your scores to: UNIV OF CO.-DENVER-ASPIRE-ALT 4936

• If you have already taken the official Praxis exam and have not sent them to the University, please send your official exam score reports to ASPIRE@ucdenver.edu.

For more information on the Praxis exam visit the Colorado Department of Education Approved Content Tests Page or the CDE Praxis Information page.

For more information in regard to the Content/Endorsement Area Review Sheets go to the Colorado Department of Education Endorsement Requirements page.

Statement of Assurance

All applicants must submit the CDE’s Statement of Assurance (SOA).

Download and fill out the Statement of Assurance Form - Teacher
Be sure and select the correct content area from the 'Content Area' dropdown.

Please complete the Applicant/Candidate (green) section of the SOA form, then have your school’s HR office complete the School/District (dark gray) section, lastly email back to us so ASPIRE can complete the Designated Agency/Program (light gray) section. Please be sure to sign and date the completed form to avoid delay in processing your application.

The dates for the agreement period must be for the 2025-2026 school year and have a specific end date (mm/dd/yyyy).

Please click on the Application Form here to start your application. Please note that you need a teaching contract in an alternatively licensable content area.

ASPIRE has rolling admissions with six application windows from late summer to early spring, plus a February window for Special Education candidates. Application windows are based on timing and enrollment capacity. Applications are processed in the order that they are received, and incomplete applications are not processed.

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.

To be eligible for partial reimbursement of your ASPIRE enrollment deposit, complete the TEACH Colorado fee reimbursement form linked below.