Help & Resources

• The Canvas Credit Union Extra Credit loan offers candidates a monthly payment option, if approved/eligible.
• If eligible, candidates may apply for a grant (CDE ERR or WIOA.
• ASPIRE will not adjust program fee payment deadlines to correspond with ERR or WIOA schedules. If candidates are awarded grant funding after paying their program fee, they will be refunded once the grant funding has been received. 
• Candidates should ask their employer about funding options from their school/district. An employer may pay a candidate’s program fee on their behalf and pro-rate their paychecks.
• ASPIRE may be able to accommodate split check or credit/debit card payments. Reach out to aspire@ucdenver.edu for more information.
• ASPIRE accepts most forms of VA benefits,  Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is required for confirmation.

Early Childhood Education (ECE), Elementary, and Special Education endorsement candidates may enroll in ASPIRE as an interim authorization candidate if they hold a teacher of record position and have attempted the PRAXIS for their endorsement area. ECE/Elementary/SpEd interim authorization candidates must have attempted/not-passed the associated PRAXIS for their endorsement. Starting 07/20/2025, we will allow candidates to enroll on an Interim Authorization if they provide non-passing 5903 scores or a receipt that they are registered to take the 5903 PRAXIS exam within 21 days of submitting their ASPIRE application. Candidates pursuing all other endorsement areas must have demonstrated competency in their eligible endorsement area.

Important Notes:

• The Interim Authorization is not a license, but it is a CDE credential (an authorization) that allows teachers to teach in their endorsement area while they work on demonstrating CDE competency. Interim Authorization candidates must pass their endorsement PRAXIS exam(s) during their alternative license program in order to advance to an initial license.
• An Interim Authorization can be renewed once, allowing a total of two Interim Authorization licenses (two years) to complete the program.

No, we do not accept transfer credits. The ASPIRE to Teach program is a non-degree and non-credit program.

The ASPIRE licensure program curriculum does not consist of "courses" rather it includes online modules, video coaching, professional learning community (PLC) meetings, and instructor support. The ASPIRE program is designed to take one school-year to complete.

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.

Sign up at Teach Colorado Today!

To qualify for any type of teacher license in Colorado, the CDE requires each applicant to submit to the CO Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a complete set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining a fingerprint based criminal history check (state and FBI records). While your school or district may require a fingerprint background check as well, this is different from the CDE requirement. Therefore, unless your school accepts the CDE fingerprint clearance report, you will need to submit TWO fingerprint cards to CBI: one for school/district and another for CDE licensure purposes. ASPIRE candidates may submit the CDE fingerprint background check for licensure if they will complete their ASPIRE enrollment within 30 days.

For elementary and special education generalist candidates:

• Successfully pass the Colorado State Board of Education-approved elementary content exam
  

For early childhood education candidates (at least one of the following):

• Hold a bachelor's or higher degree in early childhood education
• Successfully pass the approved elementary content exam
• The Colorado State Board of Education-approved early childhood education content exam

For K-12 endorsements and secondary (7-12) endorsements(at least one of the following):

• Hold a degree in the endorsement area from a regionally-accredited institution
• Have 24 semester hours in the endorsement area, as outlined on the content evaluation worksheets
• Earn a passing score on a Colorado State Board of Education-approved assessment for the endorsement area

Yes. Transfer credits are often listed in bulk, without details for the courses included. The evaluators match your educational background to state requirements for the endorsement area. If you do not include all transcripts, your evaluation could be delayed.

No. Alternative candidates are required to seek their own employment, similar to those who have completed regular preparation for licensure. CDE has a job website at www.teachincolorado.org. You may also want to check with individual districts for their job openings.

Yes. You may submit a copy of course descriptions, or provide information that directly pertains to your content area. These materials will not be returned. Please do not include the entire course catalog to document your course descriptions, or resumes, letters of recommendation or teacher evaluations with your packet.

Please review the appropriate content review sheet for your endorsement area to see if you qualify for a license through the transcript review process. If not, you will need to take the appropriate Praxis exam.

No. You will be endorsed in one content area only. An additional endorsement may be added to your license at a later date, after you have completed your initial program.

This will depend on the school district. School districts may require candidates to demonstrate content competency and/or to indicate they will enroll in an alternative program (ASPIRE) upon hire.

Yes. You do not need to have full-time employment by a district to qualify for the ASPIRE program.

Designated agencies sign your Statement of Assurrance of Employment (SAE) for your alternative licensure application. The agency also signs off on the initial licensure upon completion of the program. Designated agencies include school districts, charter or private schools, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations or a combination of these groups. CU Denver is the designated agency for ASPIRE.

The cost of the ASPIRE to Teach® program is $6,750 which includes a $275 non-refundable deposit due during enrollment. This includes access to all online modules with feedback from instructors, Professional Learning Community meetings, mentoring, and coaching. The fee charged to the alternative candidate will vary depending on the designated agency. The Colorado Department of Education does not set or keep program fee information. Information about program costs may be obtained from the designated agency. Please note that the MA option for ASPIRE graduates is a separate program cost and is not included in the above pricing.

If you are employed as an alternative teacher, you will be paid by the employing district. Some of the programs allow the expenses of being trained and mentored to be deducted monthly from your salary. Salaries vary among school districts. Contact the schools or districts that you are interested in for this information.

Please review the CDE criteria for Alternative Licensure Eligibility:

Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college/university

1. Demonstration of content-area knowledge for an approved endorsement area (either by degree, 24 semester hours of specific coursework or Colorado State Board of Education-approved content exam(s))
2. Enrollment in a Colorado State Board of Education-approved alternative teacher preparation program
3. Employment as a classroom teacher

If you have already completed a teaching program (including student teaching), or are an out-of state teacher, please see the CDE’s general requirements for licensure.