Apply by April 1st to be a part of our next cohort, with classes starting at the end of May 2025.
Visit the application page for more details!
ITL Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate Program
The Initial Teacher Licensure (ITL) Graduate Program is a one-year intensive program designed for individuals who desire to pursue teaching (elementary, secondary, or K-12 kinesiology) and have a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university. This program develops expertise in educational best practices, state content standards and knowledge of pedagogy through intensive coursework and field experience to meet Colorado licensure requirements.
**The CMU ITL program is NOT an alternative licensure program. For information on alternative licensure in Colorado, see http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/altteacheroverview.
Intensive Summer Session Leads to Two-Semester Field Placement
- The intensive cohort begins each year in May and runs for 12 months. During the summer semester, students complete 2 fully online courses and 1 hybrid course with 3 in-person days.
- Fall and spring semesters are spent onsite at an elementary or a secondary school in the student's home region. During this time, students also participate in coursework, seminars and colloquia.
- Fall and spring coursework for the Elementary program is offered entirely online. Secondary and K-12 PE programs complete courses online and on campus.
- The ITL program culminates in an internship experience where the ITL teacher candidate steps into the lead teaching role for 10 weeks of the spring semester.
Earn a Master of Arts in Education in 2 Semesters
After obtaining licensure and the ITL Graduate Certificate, ITL students may pursue the additional graduate requirements needed to complete the Master of Arts in Education degree.
- The additional 12 graduate credit hours required include four MAEd core graduate courses and an ITL content-specific capstone project (can be completed in two semesters or within 5 years of finishing the GC program).
- The MA coursework is structured to work around a teacher's schedule and can be completed while being employed as a teacher.
- Admission to the ITL Master of Arts in Education program requires additional application steps after completion of the ITL Graduate Certificate.
The Graduate Certificate in Education, ITL - Elementary is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they seek initial state licensure. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 30 semester hours.
Academic Requirements for Graduate Certificate in Initial Teacher Licensure - ElementaryThe Graduate Certificate in Education, ITL - Secondary degree is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they seek initial state licensure. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 30 semester hours. Content areas available are: English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish.
Academic Requirements for Graduate Certificate in Initial Teacher Licensure - SecondaryThe Graduate Certificate in Education, ITL – K-12 Physical Education degree is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they seek initial state licensure. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 30 semester hours.
Academic Requirements for Graduate Certificate in Initial Teacher Licensure - K-12 Physical EducationThe Master of Arts in Education is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they gain additional expertise in one or more state endorsement areas or seek initial licensure. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 49 semester hours. The program is designed to provide the student with 12 hours of core courses in theory of curriculum design and assessment, educational technology, culture and pedagogy, research, and a capstone project. The additional coursework concentrates on Initial Teacher Licensure – Elementary concentration.
Academic Requirements for Master of Arts in Education in Initial Teacher Licensure – ElementaryThe Master of Arts in Education is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they gain additional expertise in one or more state endorsement areas or seek initial licensure. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 49 semester hours. The program is designed to provide the student with 12 hours of core courses in theory of curriculum design and assessment, educational technology, culture and pedagogy, research, and a capstone project. The additional coursework allows the student to focus on a Post Baccalaureate Licensure Program – Secondary education concentration.
Academic Requirements for Master of Arts in Education in Initial Teacher Licensure – SecondaryThe Master of Arts in Education is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they gain additional expertise in one or more state endorsement areas or seek initial licensure. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 49 semester hours. The program is designed to provide the student with 12 hours of core courses in theory of curriculum design and assessment, educational technology, culture and pedagogy, research, and a capstone project. The additional coursework allows the student to focus on a Post Baccalaureate Licensure Program – K-12 education concentration.
Academic Requirements for Master of Arts in Education in Initial Teacher Licensure K-12 Physical EducationCareer Links:
- What can I do with a major in education? https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/education/
- Colorado Department of Education Current Educators Page: http://www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/currenteducators
- Colorado Teaching Jobs: https://colorado.teachers-teachers.com/
- Colorado Department of Education Future Educators Page: http://www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/futureeducators
- Nationwide Career, Salary, and Licensure Information at Teacher.org: https://www.teacher.org/
- Scholarship Resources: https://www.teacher.org/scholarships-grants/
- Mesa County School District Teacher Pay Schedules:
- Note: the MA degree is required to qualify for the additional compensation schedule.
- Available at www.d51schools.org → Employment → JobOpportunities → SalarySchedules
Program Goals
Prepare post-baccalaureate teacher licensure candidates for the profession at large [locally] across our service region
Design and deliver a program of instruction that is consistent, yet adaptive, across time, location and instructors
Develop candidate planning, instructional and assessment competence and expertise from those of a teaching novice to those of an entry-level professional, in 12 months
Develop professional competence, expertise and a passion for innovation
Contact
To explore the option of ITL post baccalaureate licensure, please contact the Initial Teacher Licensure (ITL) Program Coordinator, Dr. Cynthia Chovich.