Master of Arts in Education: Graduate Initial Teacher Licensure Program

Dr. Elizabeth Grassi, Professor, Chairperson
Room 228 Carroll Hall
Regis University
3333 Regis Boulevard, Mail Code H-12
Denver, CO 80221

Phone: 303-458-4135 

Overview

The Master of Arts in Education: Graduate Teacher Licensure Program builds on the mission and goals of the Regis College Department of Education, the Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program, and the University’s mission and graduate education philosophy statement. It is aligned philosophically and in delivery style with the other Education programs and incorporates the many successful components of these programs, including but not limited to: a strong connection between theory and practice; classroom-based instruction that models the learning- and learner-centered, active pedagogy that the program cultivates in participating students; personalization; collaboration among learners and between the University and host schools; critical reflection, metacognition, and lifelong learning; and building and applying a belief system that values diverse students and communities.

The MAE: Graduate Teacher Licensure Program offers a seamless way for Regis College graduates to earn a professional Colorado teaching license in an accelerated, intensive format immediately following the completion of their undergraduate degree from Regis College.

Teaching licenses can be earned in elementary education (23-35 semester hours), K-12 Art (17-29 semester hours), or secondary education (17-29 semester hours). Secondary content areas include science, mathematics, English, social studies, K-12 Spanish, French, German, or business/marketing.

Licensure coursework and over 800 hours in a classroom teaching internships can be completed within one calendar year, although elementary education requires an additional semester. A part-time format is also available. Courses take place on the Regis Lowell campus (generally during daytime hours, aligned with the traditional semester calendar, and integrated with undergraduate licensure students) and are taught by full-time faculty with extensive school-based experience.

The licensure coursework counts towards a master’s degree. For students who wish to continue on to complete the Master of Arts in Education and the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement, an additional 15 credits are required. This coursework can be completed in as little as one year, and the courses are held on weekends, evenings, and summers to accommodate working teachers.

Admission Requirements

  1. A baccalaureate degree from Regis College.
  2. Completion of transcript evaluation with program faculty or staff (see #6 below).
  3. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
  4. Students with a GPA below 3.00 have the option to apply for probationary status. To receive consideration for probationary status, students will need to submit a letter of explanation and an action plan for improvement.
  5. Two references (Regis College undergraduate advisor and another faculty member).
  6. Academic preparation in alignment with Colorado Department of Education content area requirements for elementary, secondary, or K-12 art teacher licensure. Requirements are listed in the application packet.
    1. Transcript review session (using the transcript evaluation form) with Department of Education staff or faculty is required to determine extent to which students meet the content requirements.
    2. Additional coursework may be needed to meet state content area requirements for licensure. These courses can be taken at any accredited institution of higher education. The courses must be successfully completed for admission to the program.
  7. Content Area Exam: students will need to take and pass the State mandated assessment of content knowledge (the PLACE or Praxis II exam) prior to student teaching. Passing this exam is required for licensure.
  8. Fingerprinting and national background check in accordance with CDE and school District policies.

Application Deadline

Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year. Early application prior to the desired starting date is encouraged.

Program Regulations

Committee on Teacher Education at Regis (COTER): All successful candidates will be admitted provisionally and will have their performance in courses and field placement classrooms reviewed by the Committee on Teacher Education at Regis (COTER) after each semester. Failure to demonstrate professional disposition, earn satisfactory grades, or satisfactory internship evaluations may result in suspension or expulsion from the program.

Course Load

The degree plan for the Master of Arts in Education: Graduate Teacher Licensure Program outlines the sequence of courses required to meet licensure requirements within a one year time period. Students (except students working toward elementary licensure) are encouraged to participate in this full-time program model, taking a full load of courses and engaging in school-based fieldwork. (Elementary education licensure requires a minimum of 3 semesters to complete). Students wishing to participate in the program on a part-time basis should speak to the program director when applying to the program to determine how long it will take to complete licensure requirements.

Program Probation Policy

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.000 in all education coursework to continue in good standing for the program. Students may be placed on probationary status for the following reasons:

  • GPA falls below 3.000
  • Unsatisfactory performance during field work
  • Unsatisfactory performance during academic courses
  • Issues regarding professionalism (attitudes and behaviors displayed in class and in field experiences as noted in the Department of Education Dispositions of Teaching document)

Extension of School Internships/Student Teaching

If students do not successfully complete their 800 required school internship/student teaching hours or do not demonstrate the required proficiency levels of classroom performance and professional dispositions, it may be necessary for them to extend their experience into a subsequent semester. In this case, students will be required to register for additional sections of ED 680E-W Fieldwork in Schools in the subsequent semester and to pay an additional School Internship/Student Teaching fee to cover direct costs of school-based and university-based supervision.

Capstone Presentation

Students in the Master of Arts in Education: Graduate Teacher Licensure will be assessed in summative fashion in the Teacher Work Sample and Portfolio (which are required by the program for licensure), and in a capstone presentation at the end of the licensure portion.

Requirements for Recommendation for Teacher Licensure

  1. Students will be placed in school internship assignments by the Education Department Placement Coordinator or the program director according to a variety of criteria.
  2. Successful completion of all assigned school internships/student teaching will be determined by completion of required hours, evaluation by cooperating teacher and Dispositions of Teaching. Three sections ofED 680E -ED 680H Fieldwork in Schools for two credit hours each (800 clock hours) must be completed successfully before being recommended for licensure.
  3. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher must be maintained in all education coursework for teacher licensure at Regis University.
  4. Continued evidence of effective communication skills, teacher competencies, and characteristics/ teacher dispositions.
  5. Successful completion of the State mandated assessment in program content (Praxis II exam).
  6. Successful completion of any outstanding coursework towards CDE content area requirements.
  7. Completion of Regis College Teacher Work Sample and Portfolio, including Teacher Quality Standards at proficient level.
  8. Successful completion of the capstone licensure presentation.

Should the student successfully complete these requirements, the Committee on Teacher Education at Regis (COTER) may recommend that the Regis representative officially approved by the Colorado Department of Education sign the student’s application for state licensure.

The committee reserves the right to withhold recommendation for licensure based on deficiencies in any of the dispositions or behaviors listed or in any of the requirements of the program.