Teacher Education

Summary

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), in collaboration with the State Board of Education (SBE), approves education programs offered by Colorado colleges and universities.  A student who completes a Colorado approved educator program is recommended for Colorado licensure.  The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) administers the licensure program.  Other states have reciprocal licensure agreements for students who graduate from a state-approved teacher education program.

There are three types of teacher education programs.

1. Baccalaureate degree programs are designed to be completed in four years (eight semesters).  They are content-specific with intense field experience.  Student must pass the content assessment in their field of study.
   
   
2. Post-baccalaureate programs are designed for students who have earned a bachelor's degree.  In contrast, post-baccalaureate programs focus exclusively on pedagogy and field experience.  Student must pass the content assessment in their field of study.
   
   
3. Special endorsements are programs of study that provide a teacher with additional knowledge in a specialized field.  In general, they are designed for individuals that are pursuing supervisory licensure or non-classroom personnel.

Links and Resources

• Approval and Review Process
  
  
• Licensure Programs by Institutions, Major, and Level (Database feature is being updated)
  
  
• Licensure Programs and Endorsement Areas by Institution(Document is being updated)
  
  
• Guidelines for the Preparation of New Program Proposals and Institutional Reports:
  • Performance-Based Measures Matrix and Suggested Data/Evidence
  • Glossary
    
    
• Teach Colorado Grant Initiative (July 2008)
  
  
• No Child Left Behind Grant Program
  
  
• Review Schedule
  
  
• Transfer Articulation Agreements:
  • Elementary Education (Phase II, effective July 1, 2004)
  • Early Childhood Education (Phase III, effective July 1, 2005)
    
    
• Educator Licensing (Colorado Department of Education)
  
  
• View Reports to Governor and General Assembly on Teacher Education
  
  
• Resource Directory for Educators - This directory provides a listing of approved programs for the preparation of professional education personnel in the State of Colorado.