Alternative Licensure Program
The goals of the Alternative Teacher Licensure program are to help school districts provide students with outstanding individuals who want to become public school teachers, to focus on the art and pedagogy of effective teaching, to provide a high quality, alternative pathway in teaching and to improve teacher retention. There are general requirements for candidates for the Alternative Teacher License Program:
- All candidates must have a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited four year college or university.
- Prior to hire, Alternative Teacher Licensure candidates must have their transcripts evaluated to be sure they meet the requirements of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). To do this, complete the Colorado Department of Education Alternative Licensure paperwork, submit official transcripts and the required fee to CDE. If you meet all the requirements, CDE will issue you a Statement of Eligibility in your endorsement area.
- Degrees from a foreign university must first be evaluated by an approved organization. Details are available at www.naces.org.
- All candidates must take and pass the appropriate required state content exam (PLACE or Praxis II) in their endorsement area. Check the following websites to find out about the testing information, to register to take the test, check registration status, find materials to help you prepare for the test and to get your test scores: www.place.nesinc.com or www.ets.org/praxis/prxaboutII.html.
- All candidates must have a criminal background check and be fingerprinted. You will need to acquire a CDE-approved fingerprint card either from the DPS representative, Marsha Chavez, or by ordering an application packet or fingerprint card at the CDE website: www.cde.state.co.us/index_licenseaps.htm. All applicants must have a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency and submit the completed fingerprint card and the processing fee to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
- Complete an online application for a teaching position in the Denver Public Schools. (Apply online at www.dpsk12.org and click on Careers.)
- Interview for and be selected for a teaching position in the Denver Public Schools.
- Candidates selected for bilingual positions must pass the Spanish Language Proficiency (SLP) exam prior to being hired.
Once you are offered a full-time contract teaching position, you will be allowed to enter the Alternative Licensure Program. Our partner in this program is Metropolitan State College of Denver. (This is not the only state-approved program; however, it is the one that DPS works with in almost all cases.) During the one-year program, you are employed by DPS as an Alternative Licensure teacher with pay and benefits. You will also be enrolled as a student at Metropolitan State College through the ALP Program. Although you may pay for the program in a lump sum, you may also elect to do payroll deductions on a monthly basis. Financial aid is available for those who qualify through Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Alternative License
- For individuals who do not hold a teacher's license but do have previous K-12 teaching experience.
- Candidates may be endorsed in any area.
- This is a 1-year program. The cost of the program is $4,590.
- A summer session is offered before the school year begins.
- Year One: Candidates attend classes each Monday evening (5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) Course content includes: The Effective Teacher; Managing the Learning Environment; Behavioral Management/ Discipline; Lesson Planning; Comprehensive Assessment Planning; Educational Theory and Best Practice; Technology; Role of Education in Society; Unit Planning; and Results and Reflection. Sessions are arranged in two formats. Course work is delivered in mixed cohort groups of elementary, middle or high school, ELA-S/E and math/science. Coaching groups meet regularly to work on common candidate concerns as well as prescribed course content focusing on the State Performance Standards for Teachers.
- Candidates receive support in their Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSCD) classroom, by their MSCD instructors, MSCD coaches, building/ district mentor and by the individual administrative staff. Candidates complete all the standards and elements found in the Colorado Performance-Based Standards for Teachers.
- Year One: Candidates earn a total of 25 semester hours.
- Upon successful completion of the program, Metropolitan State College will recommend the candidate to the CDE for a license.
- DPS Alternative Licensure Coordinator: Marsha Chavez, marsha_chavez@dpsk12.org 720-423-3293.
- Metropolitan State College of Denver contact: Greg Reed, greed8@mscd.edu.
For additional Alternative Licensing questions, please contact:
Marsha Chavez
TiR Coordinator
Denver Public Schools
900 Grant Street, Room 501
Denver, CO 80203
marsha_chavez@dpsk12.org
720-423-3293 (Phone)
720-423-3201 (FAX)