The MA+ Teacher Licensure program leads to a Colorado initial teaching license in secondary (grades 7–12) Mathematics, Science, English Language Arts, or Social Studies, plus a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction. This offers an efficient and experiential route to earning a master's degree with teaching licensure.
This program is for candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and want to elaborate upon and deepen the close connections between fieldwork and coursework to become a teacher. Graduate students follow a planned sequence of core courses that meet state content preparation standards, complete a master's degree, and satisfy professional education requirements concurrently. The program involves a combination of courses at the university and 7–12 school placements.
Students who successfully complete all School of Education requirements will be recommended for a Colorado initial teaching license.
The teacher education programs at the University of Colorado Boulder do not prepare candidates for teacher licensure exams in states other than Colorado. For students planning to seek professional licensure or certification in a state other than Colorado, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you are, or plan to be, located to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements and how the Colorado license may transfer in advance of program completion. If you will have to take an additional course or pass a different licensure exam to transfer your license, your contact person at the correct state agency will help you plan for that and avoid surprises.
Program Mission & Commitments
The School of Education prepares educators who are able to enact commitments to social justice and equitable access to deep content learning in school, family and community contexts.
The following principles guide our work in preparing the next generation of educators:
- Teachers must position students as sense-makers and knowledge-generators who desire to invest and succeed in school. This involves noticing youth; building relationships with them; valuing their perspectives; and attending to their thinking, curiosities and capabilities.
- Teaching is both intellectual work and a craft. Deep knowledge of content and pedagogy, creativity and passion, fuel both learning and teaching.
- Teachers must design equitable learning environments in which all youth are engaged in robust and consequential learning.
- Teachers’ instruction and student learning are always conducted within the context of larger social systems, structures and hierarchies.
- What we do and say matter and must be analyzed. Our language and action construct or constrain opportunities for youth to build meaningful, positive and sustained relationships to learning and one another.
Colorado Teacher Quality Standards
Teacher education candidates engage in a planned sequence of courses and accompanying clinical experiences in local community and school sites. Courses and assessments ensure candidates have demonstrated appropriate mastery of (1) content taught in the Colorado Academic Standards and (2) professional practices and dispositions associated with the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards listed below:
- Teachers demonstrate mastery of and pedagogical expertise in the content they teach. The secondary teacher has knowledge of literacy and mathematics and is an expert in his, her, or their content endorsement area(s).
- Teachers establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students.
- Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment that facilitates learning for their students.
- Teachers demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection and leadership.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the MA+ program, applicants must meet all of the requirements below. Please note, satisfying the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance.
Secondary Mathematics and Secondary Science
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
- Earn a minimum 3.00 GPA cumulatively among all institutions attended. Applicants must also have a 3.0 GPA in all content area coursework. Please note, GRE Scores are not required for the MA+ program.
- Meet the basic skills requirement: Complete appropriate, college-level Math and Composition courses with a “B-“ or better. Acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, GRE, or Praxis CORE exam will also satisfy the requirement.
- Complete content coursework. Applicants must complete all content coursework for their teaching area prior to the beginning of the fall semester in the program. Any candidate who has not completed their content coursework by that time will be dismissed from the program or may be given the option to defer admission one year.
- Complete the appropriate, state-approved licensure exam (currently the Praxis Subject Assessments exams) for their content area prior to the beginning of the fall semester in the program. Any candidate that has not passed the licensure exam by the time their program this time will be dismissed from the program or may be given the option to defer admission one year.
- Praxis Mathematics (test code 5165)
- Praxis General Science (test code 5436)
Secondary English Language Arts and Secondary Social Studies
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. English Language Arts applicants must have a degree in English Literature, Ethnic Studies, Spanish Literature, or Humanities with a literature emphasis.
- Earn a minimum 3.00 GPA cumulatively among all institutions attended. Applicants must also have a 3.0 GPA in all content area coursework. Please note, GRE Scores are not required for the MA+ program.
- Meet the basic skills requirement: Complete appropriate, college-level Math and Composition courses with a “B-“ or better. Acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, GRE or Praxis CORE exam will also satisfy the requirement.
- Complete content coursework. Applicants must complete all content coursework for their teaching area prior to the beginning of the spring semester in the program. Any candidate who has not completed their content coursework by that time will be dismissed from the program or may be given the option to defer admission one year.
- Complete the appropriate, state-approved licensure exam (currently the Praxis Subject Assessments exams) for their content area prior to the beginning of the spring semester in the program. Any candidate that has not passed the licensure exam by the time their program this time will be dismissed from the program or may be given the option to defer admission one year.
- Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (test code 5038)
- Praxis Social Studies: Content Knowledge (test code 5081)
MA+ Secondary English Language Arts (7–12) Teacher Licensure Program
Teacher licensure candidates must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their content area and Education coursework. All grades must be a B- or better to satisfy a degree requirement. All grades must be a C- or better to satisfy a content coursework requirement.
Content Coursework Requirement
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses and Minimum Required Credit Hours | ||
| Mathematics: College-level mathematics. | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Advanced Writing: Critical or creative writing beyond the lower-division/introductory composition level. | 3 | |
| Visual or Digital Communication: Includes theatre, film, or other digital media courses. | 3 | |
| Literature: Must include a component of American literature, British literature, World literature (non-American/non-British literature), and Multicultural literature. | 12 | |
| English and English Language Arts-related courses | 30 | |
Acceptable course work may be in communication/speech, composition, drama/ theatre, humanities, journalism, and/or literature. (May include courses from the content requirements above.) | ||
Education Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Summer) | ||
| EDUC 5001 | Framing Equity and Justice in the Humanities Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 5112 | Educational Psychology and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Second Semester (Fall) | ||
| EDUC 5005 | Advanced Social Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5295 | Narrative and Story in the Humanities | 3 |
| EDUC 5325 | Queering Literacy in Secondary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 5345 | Secondary English Methods I | 3 |
| EDUC 5485 | Differentiation in the Classroom | 3 |
| Third Semester (Spring) | ||
| EDUC 5365 | Secondary English Methods II | 3 |
| EDUC 5490 | Blurring Disciplinary Lines in the Humanities | 3 |
| EDUC 4901 | Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 5390 | Seminar: Teaching for Equity and Justice | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
Student Teaching
Candidates will complete an intensive academic year of field experiences while taking courses. Candidates will not be able to take other coursework in the Fall and Spring semesters of the program. Student teaching coursework does not count towards the Master's degree.
Required Tests and Assessments
Basic Skills: Prior to Student Teaching
Complete an appropriate, college-level math and composition course with a B- or better. Acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, GRE or Praxis CORE exam will also satisfy the requirement.
Licensure Exam: Prior to Spring Semester of Program
Pass the state-approved licensure exam, PRAXIS English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (test code 5038).
MA+ Secondary Mathematics (7–12) Teacher Licensure Program
Teacher licensure candidates must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in content area and Education coursework. All grades must be a B- or better to satisfy a degree requirement. All grades must be a C- or better to satisfy a content coursework requirement.
Content Coursework Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses and Minimum Required Credit Hours | ||
| Literature & Arts | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Written Communication: College-level composition or writing | 3 | |
| Calculus 1 | 4-5 | |
| Calculus 2 | 4-5 | |
| Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| Functions & Modeling/Analysis/Abstract Mathematics: One course in functions and modeling, analysis or topology. | 3 | |
| Geometry: One course in modern geometry. | 3 | |
| Probability & Statistics: One course in probability theory and mathematical statistics. | 3 | |
| Math or applied math coursework. Eighteen of the required 24 credit hours above must be completed at the sophomore level or higher. (May include requirements above.) | 24 | |
| Recent mathematics coursework in the past 5 years. (May include EDUC 5317.) | 6 | |
Education Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Summer) | ||
| EDUC 5002 | Framing Equity and Justice in the STEM Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 5112 | Educational Psychology and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC 5235 | Language and Literacy Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| Second Semester (Fall) | ||
| EDUC 5005 | Advanced Social Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5060 | Classroom Interactions | 3 |
| EDUC 5317 | Perspectives on Mathematics | 3 |
| EDUC 5485 | Differentiation in the Classroom | 3 |
| Third Semester (Spring) | ||
| EDUC 5375 | Problem-Based Math Instruction | 4 |
| Teaching & Learning Mathematics. Course options (examples): | 3 | |
| Teaching K-12 Mathematics: Number Sense | ||
| Teaching K-12 Mathematics: Algebraic Thinking | ||
| Teaching K-12 Mathematics: Geometry & Measurement | ||
| Teaching K-12 Mathematics: Probability & Statistics | ||
| Assessment in Mathematics and Science Education | ||
| Student Teaching | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 28 | |
Student Teaching
Candidates will complete an intensive academic year of field experiences while taking courses. Candidates will not be able to take other coursework in the Fall and Spring Semesters of the program. Student teaching coursework does not count towards the Master's degree.
Required Tests and Assessments
Basic Skills: Prior to Student Teaching
Complete an appropriate, college-level math and composition course with a B- or better. Acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, GRE or Praxis CORE exam will also satisfy the requirement.
Licensure Exam: Prior to Fall Semester
Pass the state-approved licensure exam, PRAXIS Mathematics (test code 5165).
Teacher Performance Assessment
Pass a performance-based, subject-specific assessment designed by program faculty.
MA+ Secondary Science (7–12) Teacher Licensure Program
Teacher licensure candidates must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their content area and Education coursework. All grades must be a B- or better to satisfy a degree requirement. All grades must be a C- or better to satisfy a content coursework requirement.
Content Coursework Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses and Minimum Required Credit Hours | ||
| Literature & Arts | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Written Communication: College-level composition or writing. | 3 | |
| Calculus I | 4-5 | |
| Biology | 3 | |
| Chemistry | 3 | |
| Earth/space science | 3 | |
| Physics | 3 | |
| Complete three of the following four content-area lab courses: | ||
Biology lab | ||
Earth/space science lab | ||
Chemistry lab | ||
Physics lab | ||
| Recent science coursework in the past 5 years | 6 | |
| Students must complete 24 credit hours in one of the sections below: | 24 | |
Biology (may include courses from biology area above). Coursework must include the study of general biology, matter & energy in living systems, ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, human anatomy, environmental biology and biotechnology. | ||
Chemistry (may include courses from chemistry area above). Coursework must include the study of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. | ||
Earth/space science (may include courses from Earth/Space Science area above). Coursework must include the study of environmental science, astronomy, historical & physical geology, meteorology, oceanography, and geomorphology & earth systems. | ||
Environmental science. Coursework must include the study of ecology and astronomy, and 17 credit hours in biology. | ||
Physics (may include courses from Physics area above). Coursework must include the study of mathematics through differential equations, astronomy, atomic & nuclear, classical mechanics, electricity & magnetism, heat & thermodynamics, optics & sound, quantum mechanics, radiation & radioactivity, relativity and waves. | ||
Education Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Summer) | ||
| EDUC 5002 | Framing Equity and Justice in the STEM Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 5112 | Educational Psychology and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC 5235 | Language and Literacy Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| Second Semester (Fall) | ||
| EDUC 5005 | Advanced Social Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5060 | Classroom Interactions | 3 |
| EDUC 5485 | Differentiation in the Classroom | 3 |
| Teaching & Learning Science. Course options (examples): | 3 | |
| Teaching and Learning Physics | ||
| Physics and Everyday Thinking | ||
| Teaching and Learning Chemistry | ||
| Teaching and Learning Earth Systems | ||
| Teaching & Learning Biology In the Classroom | ||
| Third Semester (Spring) | ||
| EDUC 5385 | Phenomenon-Based Science Instruction | 4 |
| Teaching & Learning Science | 3 | |
| EDUC 5706 | Assessment in Mathematics and Science Education | 3 |
| EDUC 4901 | Student Teaching | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 | |
Student Teaching
Candidates will complete an intensive academic year of field experiences while taking courses. Candidates will not be able to take other coursework in the Fall and Spring Semesters of the program. Student teaching coursework does not count towards the Master's degree.
Required Tests and Assessments
Basic Skills: Prior to Student Teaching
Complete an appropriate, college-level math and composition course with a B- or better. Acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, GRE or Praxis CORE exam will also satisfy the requirement.
Licensure Exam: Prior to Fall Semester
Pass the state-approved licensure exam, PRAXIS General Science (test code 5436).
Teacher Performance Assessment
Pass a performance-based, subject-specific assessment designed by program faculty.
MA+ Secondary Social Studies (7–12) Teacher Licensure Program
Teacher licensure candidates must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their content area and Education coursework. All grades must be a B- or better to satisfy a degree requirement. All grades must be a C- or better to satisfy a content coursework requirement.
Content Coursework Requirements
Education Course Requirements
Student Teaching
Candidates will complete an intensive academic year of field experiences while taking courses. Candidates will not be able to take other coursework in the Fall and Spring semesters of the program. Student teaching coursework does not count towards the Master's degree.
Required Tests and Assessments
Basic Skills: Prior to Student Teaching
Complete an appropriate, college-level math and composition course with a B- or better. Acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, GRE or Praxis CORE exam will also satisfy the requirement.
Licensure Exam: Prior to Spring Semester in Program
Pass the state-approved licensure exam, PRAXIS Social Studies: Content Knowledge (test code 5081).