Alternative Licensing Program

Colorado Christian University is a designated agency for the Alternative Teacher Licensing Program as permitted by Colorado Revised Statutes (22-60.5-205). This is a one-year program designed by the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Christian University for alternative teachers to be employed full-time to teach, receive training, and be supervised by a mentor teacher and a support team. The training includes the equivalent of 225 clock hours of planned instruction and activities, including training in dropout prevention, to assist the alternative teacher to earn a provisional teaching license. See C.R.S. 22-60.5-205 for more information.

Before a candidate is fully admitted to the program several of the following preliminary steps must occur:

The candidate must apply to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to be admitted to the Alternative Teacher Licensing Program. Officials at CDE will determine what area or areas a candidate is qualified to teach.
The candidate must take and pass the State Approved Content Exam in the area(s) designated and approved by the Colorado Department of Education based on their application review (elementary education, mathematics, etc).
The Colorado Department of Education will issue a Certificate of Eligibility to the candidate. This certificate is good for three years and allows a district to hire a person in the area certified.
After a student has received the Certificate of Eligibility from the Colorado Department of Education and been hired (or recommended for employment) by an approved public or private school, the student may apply to the CCU Alternative Licensing Program. Contact the CCU Program Director at 303-963-3146 to make an appointment.
The student must contact the school/district of employment and receive approval for completing the Alternative Licensing Program through CCU.

Students from non-regionally accredited colleges or universities:

In order to obtain a teaching license in Colorado, graduates must have received their degree from a college or university which is regionally accredited (e.g. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools). Many Christian colleges and universities are not regionally accredited by secular accrediting organizations, yet many of these colleges and universities are recognized by their state to award a teaching certificate or license. Since CCU does recognize several sectarian accrediting agencies as valid indicators of quality, students may be considered for the CCU Alternative Licensing Program, and thereby qualify for consideration for a Colorado Teaching License. Students in this category must contact the Director for the Alternative Licensing Program at CCU to see if they will be considered.