Great educators change lives in and out of the classroom. Whether you’re an aspiring teacher, school administrator or digital learning developer, our education program will immerse you in the art of education and give you the tools you need for a rewarding career in a variety of fields.
Program Overview
Take the next step to your inspiring career in education.
At Western Colorado University, our Teacher Education programs, authorized by the Colorado Department of Education, are integrated as emphases with more than a dozen majors. This means that for the first three years, 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 an elementary classroom anywhere in the world.
To prepare for your residency, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a summer session and complete your education-specific coursework online, while student teaching. After completing the courses in your major, education-specific coursework and the year-long residency, you will graduate with a degree in your chosen field and a recommendation for licensure from the Colorado Department of Education. This dynamic set of credentials will set you up to be hired quickly and excel in a variety of education-related fields.
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 courses and residency training you need to apply for your initial license.
A rewarding career
Being an educator offers an extraordinary sense of satisfaction in knowing you had a hand in changing the world.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A student seeking licensure as a secondary teacher (grades 7-12) or K-12 teacher must complete an appropriate academic major, all other University requirements, and the appropriate Secondary or K-12 Licensure requirements.
Majors and the corresponding licensure areas are listed below:
Endorsement: Grade Level: Major:
Drama Theatre Arts 7-12 Communication Arts/Theatre
English Language Arts 7-12 English
Mathematics 7-12 Mathematics
Music K-12 Music
Physical Education K-12 Exercise and Sports Science
Science 7-12 Biology, Chemistry or Geology
Social Studies 7-12 Economics, History or Politics and Government
Visual Arts K-12 Art
World Languages K-12 Spanish
Students must complete all coursework required within the academic major prior to beginning the year of education coursework and residency, or have content advisor and education advisor permission.
Prior to admission to the teacher licensure program, students must have their Degree Works or unofficial transcripts signed by the content advisor, indicating all coursework will be completed before residency begins. Students pursuing the Secondary or K-12 Licensure option must also meet all of the requirements for admission to the Teacher Licensure Program before taking EDUC 340 Application of Pedagogy and Practice. Successful completion of EDUC 340 Application of Pedagogy and Practice is a pre-requisite for the residency year.
After completing the major, in the 4th year, the Secondary and K-12 Licensure Program requires 30 credits of education coursework:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 000 | Education Gateway Course | 0 |
| EDUC 340 | Application of Pedagogy and Practice | 3 |
| EDUC 403 | INSTRTN&ASMT IN CONTENT AREA | 3 |
| EDUC 404 | Creating Positive Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 405 | Data-driven Instructional Practices | 3 |
| EDUC 406 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 407 | Maximizing Learning through 21st Century Skills | 3 |
| EDUC 424 | Differentiation: Applying Learner-Centered Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 429 | Teaching English Learners for Secondary and K-12 Teachers | 3 |
| Appropriate Student Teaching Course (six credits of the following): | ||
| One class taken twice: | 6 | |
EDUC 409 | Secondary Student Teaching | |
or EDUC 410 | K-12 Student Teaching | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Spotlight
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."
James Divine
Alumni
“I used to think I was a music teacher; now I think I’m teaching life with music as a vehicle.”
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
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.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsIn 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.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni 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.
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.
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.
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.
Get Involved
Take advantage of everything Western has to offer.
Take your education outside of the classroom—build your professional network, gain practical experience and jump-start your career.
- Community Partnerships: Many classes involve working with children and teachers in the various schools around the Gunnison Valley.
- Future Educators of America: Students in this club engage in volunteer work and professional development opportunities with other like-minded students.
- Residency Year: Students may choose to student teach in an elementary (K-6) classroom anywhere in the world.
Student teachers
In their senior year, Education students are matched with a mentor teacher to complete a clinical residency in the location of their choice.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Education Department
Department Chair
Brooke Hanks, M.A.Senior Lecturer
Administrative Assistant
Marilyn KrillDepartment Support Coordinator
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Crawford Hall 101
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
