Educator Effectiveness

Part of: MA in Education, Education Department, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Master's

Degree: Master of Arts in Education

Licensure: Teacher Licensure

Part of: MA in Education, Education Department, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Master's

Degree: Master of Arts in Education

Licensure: Teacher Licensure

Western’s Educator Effectiveness Program is a personalized, online master’s degree program designed to help currently-licensed teachers meet their professional development goals. This program is the first of its kind in Colorado and has been praised by the State Department of Education.

In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses directly related to your professional development goals rather than a predetermined course list. You’ll gain knowledge and skills through online coursework that you can implement in your classrooms to promote more effective learning. Additionally, the Educator Effectiveness program is where you can prepare for several CDE-approved added endorsements.

Students in the Educator Effectiveness program can pursue their Master of Arts and receive added endorsements to their teaching licenses from the Colorado Department of Education.

Adding endorsements to your teaching license through Western Colorado University can significantly enhance your career by broadening your expertise and increasing your impact. These additional credentials allow you to specialize in high-demand areas such as Special Education, Reading Leadership, or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, making you a more versatile and valuable educator.

With each endorsement, you expand your skill set and improve your career prospects, potentially opening doors to leadership roles and specialized positions. Western’s endorsement programs equip you with practical, evidence-based strategies, preparing you to support diverse student needs and excel in today’s dynamic educational landscape.

Admissions, Cost & Requirements

To be successful in coursework in this emphasis, the candidate is a practicing teacher working in his or her own classroom while pursuing the program.

Candidate must submit:
- Copy of current teaching license
- Two professional recommendation forms
- Professional Resume
- Personal statement
- Official transcript of conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university showing 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher

Provisional Admission to the MA in Education program

An applicant who does not meet the requirements for full admission to the Master of Arts in Education program may be required to submit additional materials in order to be considered for provisional admission upon the recommendation of the program director and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies. These may include evidence of relevant professional experience, post-BA coursework, professional development, recommendations, and any other experience that demonstrates history of work, study, volunteering or other professional activity demonstrating potential to be a quality educator and successful graduate student. The program director may request a phone interview with the applicant. A provisionally admitted student will have a maximum of one calendar year to complete any pre-requisite academic coursework. The program director or Dean of Graduate Studies may set additional timeline requirements.

International Students: see Graduate Academic Catalog section, Criteria for International Admission.

March 15 – Priority Deadline in all programs to be considered for Education Department Scholarships
July 15 – Final deadline for application to all programs including:
- Teacher Licensure + MA in Education
- Principal Licensure + MA in Education
- Special Education Licensure + MA in Special Education
- MA in Education, Educator Effectiveness (MAEE) including Added Endorsements

Term	Credits	Tuition per Credit	Fees per Credit Hour*	Flat Fees**	Total Tuition & Fees
Year 1: Fall	12	$353.60	$73.40	$50.00	$5,174.00
Year 1: Spring	10	$353.60	$73.40		$4,270.00
Year 2: Fall	9	$353.60	$73.40		$3,843.00
Program Total	31				$13,287.00