Education Programs at Colorado University-Denver
The University of Colorado appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Online Master’s in Instructional Design.
The University of Colorado’s individual campuses have different personalities. The CU-Denver campus is an urban school, and its education programs reflect that in an emphasis on populations diverse in culture, ethnicity, language, and socio-economic identities.
The Bachelor of Arts in Education and Human Development, Early Childhood Education Track is a 126 credit-hour program that can be earned in a licensure or non-licensure program. The licensure program fulfills the requirements for teaching birth-to-age-eight (or through third grade) in Colorado. The program is offered only on campus, but several courses are presented as hybrids, weekend or online classes. The non-licensure program consists of 120 credit-hours and is for people who want to work in childcare facilities for children from infancy to age five. It is available in teaching or leading strands. Those taking the Teaching Strand may return for one semester and become licensed to teach. Students in the Leading Strand fulfill the Colorado Department of Human Services requisites for Director.
Other undergraduate programs in this area include the Bachelor of Arts in Education and Human Development, Elementary Education Track, the Bachelor of Arts in Education and Human Development, Secondary Education Track and the Bachelor of Arts in Education and Human Development, Special Education Track. The BA in Education and Human Development, Special Education Track is a 125 semester-hour program that prepares students to work with children ages five through 21. It emphasizes research and classroom experiences through a holistic approach and is presented in an on-campus format.
The college also offers a BS in Human Development and Family Relations which is unique to the nation. It is the first such program offering bilingual courses leading to certification.
Minors include Digital Media and Learning and Human Development and Family Relations.
The MA plus Teacher’s Licensure is a full-time program delivered on campus that is available with three concentrations: Elementary, Secondary and a Special Education Generalist License with Elementary Education certification. Students may also earn a Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling; Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education or a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education with Early Childhood Education Special Education Specialist License. There is also a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development and a Master of Arts in Information and Learning Technologies. All of these degree programs are offered in the classroom or online.
The Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Emphasis is for working licensed teachers who want to add to their skills or certifications. Areas addressed include language teaching methodology, language acquisition, linguistic analysis of English, history, and policy as well as other areas. The clinical practicum part of the program can be completed in a teacher’s own classroom. Most classes are in the late afternoons or evenings during the spring and fall semesters. There is a three-hour session once a week throughout a 16-week semester. Some classes are online or on weekends.
Other online programs are the MA in Curriculum and Instruction, with concentrations in Reading and Writing, Math and Science, Math, Science, and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Principal and School Leadership or an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Teacher Librarian Leadership. Students may earn an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Secondary English Education, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Secondary Education Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, with concentrations in Secondary Education Math, Secondary Education in Reading and Writing or in Science.
The college also has an EdS in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies with Principal’s License. Three doctorate degrees and several certificates and endorsements.
About the University of Colorado-Denver
This school is also called “CU in the City.” It is one of four CU campuses. The others are located in Boulder, in South Denver and in Aurora, Colorado, at the Anschutz Medical Center. CU-Denver has more than 140 degree programs through eight colleges and schools. Total enrollment at the school is 24,839. The school began in 1912 as the Extension Center of the University of Colorado Department of Extension and Correspondence.
It is ranked by the US News and World Report as # 205 in National Universities and #126 of Best Online Graduate Education Programs. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1 and most classes have fewer than 20 students.
University of Colorado-Denver Accreditation Details
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission
- Colorado State Board of Education
- National Accrediting Organization for Teacher Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
University of Colorado-Denver Application Requirements
Students applying as first-time freshmen must complete the online application form and submit it, along with the $50 non-refundable application fee to the university. They must also arrange for their high school to mail their official transcript to the school. Testing agencies that administered the SAT or ACT must also submit those official scores.
Graduate students apply directly to their desired programs. In general, they must complete the online application form and submit it with the $ 50 fee to the school. They must arrange for the university to receive the official transcripts of all undergraduate work they completed. Additionally, each program has its own requisites such as letters of recommendation, resumes, GRE or GMAT scores, personal statements, and other documents.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate cost of attendance at the University of Colorado-Denver is estimated at $23,854 per year. That amount includes both direct charges which are paid to the university and indirect costs like books and supplies. Per-credit tuition for graduate students is between $377 and $626 per credit hour. Online students pay $330 per credit hour. Additionally, there are fees and other charges. More than half of the students attending this school must have financial aid to pay for their programs. CU-Denver has a program called the CU Promise that ensures all eligible low-income students will graduate free of debt. To do this, the school builds packages of grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. All students who need help to pay for their educations must first complete the FAFSA form. After receiving their awards letters, they can apply for other assistance. Colorado has some state funds available, especially for teacher education. Additionally, the federal TEACH program helps with loan repayment. The University of Colorado-Denver has some merit-based scholarships as well as departmental financial assistance. There are grants meant for students who participate in specific activities or major in certain disciplines. A complete list of school scholarship and grant opportunities can be found on the school website. Students can also find outside scholarships through an independent Internet search.
Student loans offer a way to meet educational expenses, although students should be wary of falling into too much debt themselves or putting their parents into excessive debt. Part-time jobs and work-study opportunities allow students to graduate without a mountain of debt while still being able to afford their degree programs at the University of Colorado-Denver.
