Elementary Licensure + MA in Education

Students getting help from their student teacher, Taylor Martin, on their classwork.

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

Offered as: Master's

Degree: Master of Arts in Education

Licensure: Teacher Licensure

Related Areas of Study: Alternative Licensure + MA in Education, 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

Related Areas of Study: Alternative Licensure + MA in Education, Educator Effectiveness

Western’s Elementary Licensure + Master of Arts in Education program is designed for students ready to pursue a meaningful career as a teacher in elementary schools across the country. This unique graduate-level degree combines accessible online classes with hands-on experience teaching in the field. While completing your studies, you will teach in a classroom under experienced faculty as your mentors. This combination of traditional learning and professional development makes our program stand out from others.

The program is structured to support hands-on learning under the guidance of mentor teachers and regional coordinators, aligning with Colorado’s Teacher Quality Standards. Throughout the program, students work closely with experienced educators, developing essential skills in lesson planning, classroom management, and student assessment, all tailored for K-6 education.

Obtaining a Colorado teacher’s license requires completing a Bachelor’s degree. If you have taken some college-level courses and are perhaps working as a paraprofessional, Western’s Adult Degree Completion program can provide you with the classes and residency training you need to apply for your initial license.

Licensures are issued by the Colorado Department of Education. While Western’s curricula are designed to prepare students for licensure exams after their first two semesters, successful licensure is ultimately determined by the CDE and cannot be guaranteed.

Elementary Licensure to MA in Education Pathway

In the first year of their studies, Elementary Licensure + MA in Education students will pursue their licensures from the Colorado Department of Education.

Once a student completes their Elementary Licensure, they can pursue a post-licensure endorsement to enhance their teaching qualifications. The Colorado Department of Education grants these added endorsements upon fulfilling specific requirements, allowing educators to specialize in various areas. Additionally, Western offers academic concentrations that enable educators to dive deeper into specific subject areas or pedagogical approaches. These opportunities empower teachers to broaden their expertise and enhance their impact in the classroom, enriching their professional journey while better supporting diverse learners.

Currently offered Endorsements and Concentrations:

Name	Available as
Reading Leadership/Specialist	Concentration and Endorsement (Optional added Reading Specialist Endorsement)
Curriculum & Instruction	Concentration
Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education	Endorsement
Special Education	Endorsement

Admissions, Cost & Requirements

Candidate must submit:
- Proof of fingerprint clearance and background check by state agency
- Two professional recommendation forms
- Resume
- Payment of university application fee
- Official transcript of conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university showing recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
- Personal statement
Candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the content area by:
- passing a Praxis Subject Assessment (Special Ed. and Elementary Ed. must pass the Praxis Subject Assessment for Elementary Education Content Knowledge #5001); OR
- a conferred degree in the content area; OR
- a content evaluation of 24 semester hours of transcripted college coursework.

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	15	$353.60	$73.40	$2,021.00	$8,426.00
Year 1: Spring	12	$353.60	$73.40		$5,124.00
Program Total	27				$13,550.00