Great educators change lives in and out of the classroom. Western’s Education Department has graduated outstanding educators for more than 100 years. Our education programs blend theory and practice through research-based coursework, specific fields of concertation, and a year-long teaching residency so you can make the most out of your education degree.

Department Overview

Pursue your passion for education.

At Western Colorado University, our undergraduate education programs feature several paths. For those seeking a Secondary or K-12 Licensure in Education, you’ll choose from more than a dozen majors and take courses in your major discipline. When you reach your senior year, you’ll be matched with a mentor teacher to complete a year-long residency in a K-12 classroom anywhere in the world.

Those pursuing the Elementary Education Major will take more generalized teaching courses for the first three years and similarly embark on a year-long teaching residency. Our Elementary Education Major is the first and only university program in the state approved to meet the updated READ Act training requirement. All graduates from the program will meet the professional development requirements per Senate Bill 19-199.

Our M.A. in Education program is ranked among the top 10 most effective and top five most affordable online education degrees in the nation. In our program, 100% of students pass their licensing exams and 96% land full-time teaching positions. Western’s Education Department also offers early childhood teachers a Colorado teacher certification option. The Early Childhood Professional certificate will help you gain a holistic awareness of children’s needs at various developmental checkpoints.

No matter your path, our education programs ensure small classes, affordable tuition, and hands-on learning while giving you the tools you need for a rewarding career in various education-related fields.

Learning from experience

Education students blend theory and practice through research-based coursework, specific fields of concentration and a year-long teaching residency.

Areas of Study

B.A. in Elementary Education with Teacher Licensure; M.A. in Education (3+2)

Accelerated Degree Programs

Taylor Martin, a student teacher at Gunnison High School, assists a couple of students with their classwork.

Bachelor of Arts/Science with Teacher Licensure; M.A. in Education (3+2)

Accelerated Degree Programs

A student teacher works one-on-one with elementary students on a classroom assignment

Early Childhood Professional

Certificate

Education

Secondary Licensure | K-12 Licensure

Elementary Education

Major

General Studies + Teacher Licensure

Major

M.A. in Education

Master of Arts | Teacher Licensure | Principal Licensure

M.A. in Special Education

Master of Arts

Special Education

Major

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Colorado Educator Forgiveness Loan

In 2019, the state of Colorado passed a bill that authorizes the Department of Higher Education to make payments on educational loans of teachers who are employed in a rural or hard-to-fill positions. The program will accept up to 100 applicants per years, and recipients will receive up to $5,000 per year for up to five years to help relieve their student loan debt. To learn more about this program, visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

Exceptional Resident Award

The Exceptional Resident Award is given to one undergraduate or graduate Education student, per year, who exhibit the following criteria:

Shows respect for differences and a commitment to serving all students regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, cognitive ability, gender, or sexuality.
Demonstrates a growth mindset in the face of challenges and responds constructively to feedback. Shows willingness to reflect upon practice.
- Goes above and beyond to builds strong relationships with students, parents, colleagues, and the local community. Is supportive and positive when interacting with others.
- Exhibits curiosity and is innovative in lesson design and delivery.
- Shows a willingness to try new things and to thoughtfully assess their effectiveness.
- Demonstrates leadership by taking initiative to be part of the school team. For example, shares strategies and ideas learned in Western courses with mentor and other colleagues in a constructive manner.

Award:
• Recognition at graduation with a cord and reimbursement of up to $500 for travel expenses to attend graduation at Western
• Certificate presented at the placement school by the resident’s regional coordinator and/or clinical coach
• Recognition on Western’s Education Department website
• Scholarship of up to three graduate credits to be used towards completion of a master’s degree at Western

Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Presidential Promise

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Tuition Discount Programs

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Western Merit Scholarship

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.