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College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

English, Elementary Teaching/Special Education Option

Dr. Susan Taylor, English Department Chair
Columbine Hall 1049, (719) 262-4036 sbtaylor@uccs.edu

  • This program includes both LAS requirements for graduation plus Colorado requirements for either Elementary (K-6) teachers or Special Education teachers. Click here to access the 2006-2007 requirements sheet.
  • Along with courses listed below, Elementary teachers should complete T Ed 300 & 301, and Special Education teachers should complete SPED 300 & 471, by the end of their sophomore year.
  • Students apply to the College of Education as rising juniors; if accepted, they continue with the courses below plus education courses. If not accepted, students may continue the bachelor's degree in the major without the education option.

"Pre-Education" is a direction, not a major.

If you intend to teach elementary school (K-6) or special education, this important information applies to you.

  1. Begin by taking general education classes your freshman and sophomore years. A grade of "C" or above is required in all general education, major and elective courses. A "B-" or above is required in all education courses.

  2. Meanwhile, select your major from:
    • Biology
    • English
    • Geography & Environmental Studies
    • History

    • Spanish

  3. Declare your major with either an Elementary or Special Education emphasis in the Student SuccessCenter, Main Hall, 2nd Floor. If you would like to discuss major options or decide to change to secondary education (7-12), please see an advisor at the same location.

  4. Attend a group advising session, presented by theCollege of Education, to discuss admission criteria and deadlines for the various teaching programs. Call (719) 262-4996 for days and times.

  5. Students interested in becoming Elementary teachers should complete T Ed 300, Introduction to Contemporary American Education, and T Ed 301, Early School Experience Practicum, during their sophomore year. Special Education teachers should complete SPED 300, Introduction to Special Education, and SPED 471, Practicum, during their sophomore year. (T Ed301 and SPED471 may be waived with teaching experience. See your College of Education advisor for details.) These courses will help you decide whether teaching is a good career choice for you and are required for application into the Teacher Education Program.

  6. Apply to the first tier of the Teacher Education Program or the Special Education Program. If you are accepted, you'll continue taking courses in general education, plus your major, plus teaching courses.

  7. In your junior year, you'll apply to the second tier of the Teacher Education Program or Special Education Program. When you are accepted, you'll be taking the remainder of your teaching courses, including student teaching.

  8. When you graduate, you'll have a bachelor's degree with one of the majors listed above, plus provisional licensure.

If you select (or already have substantial work toward) a major not listed above, you may finish your bachelor's degree and then apply to the post-baccalaureate track of the teaching licensure program. However, this will require a year of study beyond the bachelor's degree. In addition, you may be required to take extra undergraduate courses to meet Colorado's content standards.