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Education Department

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

Department Overview

Education

Pursue your passion for education.

At Western Colorado University, our undergraduate education programs are integrated as emphases with more than a dozen majors. You’ll take courses in your major discipline and then in your senior year, you’ll be matched with a mentor teacher to complete a year-long clinical residency in a K-12 classroom anywhere in the world.

Our M.A. in Education program is ranked as one of 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.

Whether you’re an aspiring teacher, school administrator or digital learning developer, our Education Department will immerse you in the art of education and give you the tools you need for a rewarding career in a variety of education-related careers.

Western’s elementary education program is the first and only university program in state of Colorado that is approved as meeting the updated READ Act training requirement. Beginning in 2021-22, all graduates of Western’s elementary program will have met the professional development requirements per Senate Bill 19-199.

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

Master of Arts in Education

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

Accelerated Degree Programs

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

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

Education

Secondary Licensure | K-12 Licensure

Education
Education teacher

Elementary Education

Major

Elementary Education
Education Department

General Studies + Teacher Licensure

Major

General Studies + Teacher Licensure
M.A. in Education

M.A. in Education

Master of Arts | Teacher Licensure | Principal Licensure

M.A. in Education
Boy and girl looking at laptop on desk

M.A. in Special Education

Master of Arts

M.A. in Special Education
Education Department

Special Education

Major

Special Education
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Scholarships

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!

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.

 

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

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!

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).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 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).

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.

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.

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 at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

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

News & Research

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Lacie Wise Earns Education Department’s Exceptional Resident Award

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Special Education Master’s Focuses on Differences, Not Deficits

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Inaugural Disability Film Festival opens this week in virtual format Hosted by Western Colorado University’s Education and Communication Arts Programs

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New partnership helps Red Rocks Community College students earn accelerated master’s degrees

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Spotlight

Education Department

Taylor Denny

Alumni

Education Department

Rowan Block

Student

“My favorite thing about being involved so much in Residence Life is getting to meet new people every day.”

Education Department

Norman Shetley

Alumni

"Shetley is a decorated World War II veteran, a teacher and a community volunteer who got his start working in the Western dining hall."

Education Department

James Divine

Alumni

“I used to think I was a music teacher; now I think I’m teaching life with music as a vehicle.”

Additional Resources

Teacher Institute

Learn More

Admissions Requirements & Tuition

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

Summer Licensure Orientation

Learn More

Optional Added Endorsements

Learn More

Residency Information

Learn More

Department Information

Education Department

Department Chair

Brooke Hanks, M.A.

Senior Lecturer

Contact Information

970.943.2030

khinze@western.edu

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Crawford Hall 101
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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