Alternative License: Special Education Generalist (CAGS)

Colorado Christian University offers an Alternative Teacher License in Special Education as authorized by the Colorado Department of Education. This is a one-year program designed for non-licensed teachers who are teaching in a Colorado public, charter, or private school. The candidates in the program receive supervised coaching in the classroom, as well as 28 credit hours of graduate coursework which may be applied toward a program. The combination of classroom teaching and graduate coursework may lead to an institutional recommendation for an initial teaching license, the standard entry-level license for Colorado educators.

The Colorado Department of Education requires that students pursuing teaching licensure in Colorado earn a degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete an approved educator preparation program.

Requirements for Entrance into the Alternative Licensing Program

• Candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university

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

• Candidates must obtain a special education teaching position in a Colorado private or public school

• Click here for CDE’s Alternative licensing application requirements

Master’s Degree

Upon successful completion of the Alternative Licensing Program: Special Education Generalist, candidates may elect to apply 28 credit hours towards a program degree by submitting a Change of Program form.